Herd holds strong: Glenrock shows fighting spirit despite early season struggles

Eddie Poe photo
Autumn Hiser soars through the air in the long jump.

By: 
Eddie Poe eddie@glenrockind.com

You’ve probably heard it countless times. The word of advice that always seemed to be dispensed to us as children.
“Don’t judge a book by its cover.”
The old adage challenges us on the judgment of people or things only by their appearance. For some, it can be a daunting task. For those who’ve learned the power of patience, the potential for a surprise is created.
The Glenrock track and field team fits the description.
When the starting gun is fired and the day of events have begun, the Herders often aren’t the biggest, fastest or strongest. But what they lack in physical attributes, they make up for with resilience.
They’re tough. They don’t give up. During a blustery practice last week in preparation for this past weekend’s Kelly Walsh Invitational - originally scheduled for Friday - the Herders made it evident they’re working hard.
When the insufferable wind forced the runners off the track and back into the school, practice continued without a hitch. The cafeteria transformed into an area to practice running hurdles and each member of the team made their way to the weight room before calling it a day.
Through three meets this spring, neither team for Glenrock - boys and girls - has finished better than fifth place. In each of the three meets, no signs of weakness have shown themselves. When a relay team has fallen behind early in the race with little to no hope of closing the gap, they’ve run it hard to the very end. When a runner is slow to the starting gun or disappoints themselves with a throw or jump, they’re always met with the support of their teammates and coaches.
“Improve each meet.” It’s the clear and simple goal that was set by the Herders at the beginning of the spring.
So, instead of dwelling on their track record of three meets, the team is being patient.

HERD OUTLOOK
The boys 4-by-800 team continues to display why they’re one of the strongest units in the state. Having already qualified for the state meet in Casper next month, the Herd -- run by Brysen Collier, T.J. Kraft, Kale Kuhlman and Zane Moore -- obliterated the rest of the field. They cruised to a first-place spot, finishing an impressive 13 seconds faster than the second place team with a time of 9:06.27.
“They’re starting to find their form,” coach Ray Kumpala said. “The cold weather affected them today but they’re almost there.”
If true it is a frightening reality for opposing teams as the season quickly approaches regionals.
In the 400-meter dash, Tucker Bopp once again did what he does best - break away from the competition.
He finished two seconds ahead of the field with a time of 50.71, claiming first.
“Tucker is truly a special athlete,” Kumpala said. “He’s fun to watch.”
Moore ran the half mile later in the day for Glenrock, nabbing 11th place.
On the field, Brock Jones had another solid performance. He threw a distance of 44 feet 1 inch, good enough for third place. Payton Steinmetz also leaped his way to a ninth-place spot in the long jump pit.
Annelise Clark placed fifth and 12th in the 300-meter and 100-meter hurdles, respectively. Also for the Lady Herders, Mikalah Jones countered her brother by finishing fifth in the discus throw with a toss of 109 feet 7 inches.

UP NEXT
The Herd will remain at their home confines this week. They’ll host the Finch-Lehner Invite on Friday beginning at 1 p.m.

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