BURLINGTON — It came down to the nitty gritty of Friday’s Class 1A Regional Track Meet.
Southern Coffey County High’s boys held a five-point lead over Lebo High in the team standings as the schools lined up for the 4×400-meter relay, the final event of the evening.
That meant Lebo had to finish at least three places higher than SCC in the relay in order to make up the deficit.
No dice.
While Lebo did its part, finishing second in the relay, Southern Coffey County was just behind in third.
The Titans won the team event with 61 points. Lebo finished second overall with 58.
Just as importantly, Southern Coffey County qualified several athletes for the upcoming state track meet in Wichita. Competitors were required to place in the top four of their respective events to earn a state berth.
Despite a round of nasty weather that delayed proceedings for an hour, and intermittent rains that doused athletes throughout the evening, SCC and other area schools still netted several top finishes.
Aaron True led the way by winning both the javelin and triple jump, while finishing second in the high jump
Meanwhile, Crest High’s Rene Rodriguez qualified in three events. He won the 100-meter dash, while finishing second in both the 200 and 400 meters.
Two others from SCC also took gold. Walker Harred won the discus while placing second in the shot put. Hunter Pankey leapt farthest in the long jump.
Tying with True for second in the high jump was Josiah Witteman for the Titans. Their marks were two inches below the standard set by Marmaton Valley’s Brady Newman, who won by clearing six feet.
Southern Coffey County’s 4×400-meter relay team of True, Bryson Meats, Pankey and Witteman also qualified for state by finishing fourth at regionals.
Marmaton Valley’s Chance Stevenson is headed to Wichita, courtesy of his fourth-place finish at regionals in the 300-meter hurdles.
On the girls’ side, SCC’s Chenae Newkirk qualified for both the 800 and 1600 meters by finishing in third in both.
Southern Coffey County head coach Jeff True said the weather may have delayed proceedings, but otherwise had minimal effect on the competition.
