Two brothers, one team: Competition runs heavy on the track for the Piaseckis

A true competitive spirit runs in the Piasecki family.
The oldest of the current Glenrock duo, Skyler, a senior, has been running track for five years. Younger brother Paxton, a freshman, is now in his second year. Much like any pair of competitive, athletic siblings, it’s the duty of the elder to lay the ground rules.
“(He) thinks he’s faster,” Skyler said with a smile. “I couldn’t let him beat me.”
The Piaseckis certainly don’t go unnoticed out on the track. They’re jacks of all trades.
Skyler ran the 110-meter and 300-meter hurdles as a freshman, and today competes in the 1600-meter, 3200-meter, high jump and 4x800-meter relay. He even hopes to dabble in the 400-meter in the coming weeks. Even as just a freshman, Paxton is closely following in the footsteps of his older brother. He runs in the 1600-meter, 4x800-meter relay, and also competes in the high jump and pole vault.
After competing together during the cross country season in the fall, the Piaseckis have come to enjoy their brotherly competition during the one year they’re able to experience it as members of the Herders. They’re doing their best to embrace it while they can.
As for whether or not Paxton will eventually surpass Skyler’s marks on the track or in the field events, the older brother remains optimistic.
“I hope not,” Skyler jokingly said.
Paxton added: (He’s) the best big brother.”

HERDERS ADD STATE QUALIFIERS
Senior Annelise Clark added two more events to her list of pre-qualified for the state meet at last Friday’s Trojan Invite at Kelly Walsh High School. She is now up to three events.
Clark took ninth in the 100-meter with a personal record time of 13.38, and also took third in the 300-meter hurdles in 50.18. She also set a PR in the 100-meter hurdles at a time of 17.88.
Tucker Bopp, Payton Steinmetz and Ian Arnold also secured state pre-qualifying times in Casper. Bopp secured a spot in the 100-meter, 200-meter and 400-meter races, setting a PR in the 100-meter with a time of 11.14. He’s now just 0.09 seconds off of tying Drew Nielsen’s school record. Steinmetz also qualified for the 100-meter, while Arnold notched a time of 16.62 in the 110-meter hurdles in sixth.
Kassia George finished 21st and 25th in the 100-meter and 100-meter hurdles, respectively for the Lady Herders. Skylar Harford also finished tied for 15th in the high jump, clearing 4 feet, 6 inches.
Arnold took third in the 300-meter hurdles to go along with his sixth-place finish in the 110-meter hurdles. Dawson Blaylock set a PR in the long jump with a leap of 18 feet, 2.25 inches. Kade Guenther set a PR of his own in the 110-meter hurdles with a time of 18.83.

UP NEXT
Pending the most recent snowstorm, the Herders are set to host the Finch-Lehner Invite Friday at Glenrock Jr./Sr. High School. The opening gun is set to go off at 10 a.m.