Raising the Bar: Tracksters run away with 10 PRs, one school record at 3A State championships

If the end of the indoor track & field season is any indication of things to come for the competitive outdoor journey now underway, the future looks bright for Glenrock High School athletes. The small group of eight indoor Herders all unleashed fantastic efforts to end the season, which includes 10 more personal-best efforts and one school record at the 3A State championships March 7 in Gillette. 

“The kids had a great state meet. They did what we asked of them and that was to compete at a high level and they did that,” an enthusiastic coach Chris Gray said.

Cody, the biggest program by enrollment in 3A, swept the boys and girls team titles at the State meet among 16 schools competing. On the girls side, Torrington was second and Worland took third while Douglas ran to fifth and Glenrock 13th. Buffalo earned second in boys final standings, while Worland scored third, Douglas seventh and Glenrock 16th.

Farley Medals

The list of great accomplishments was highlighted by another incredible effort by senior Megann Farley. She continued her farewell tour in her first and last State meet by breaking a school record in pole vault and capturing second at State when she cleared 9 feet to earn All-State.

Farley also has a good tune up for outdoor season in sprint. She clocked her fastest time ever in the 55-meter dash with a time is 8.07 seconds.

Hayden Lythgoe built some outdoor momentum by delivering a pair of new best times. The senior made it happen in the 800 where she finished in the top half of the leaders with a time of 2:41.69 and clocked a 9.98 in 55 hurdles.

“Megann had a fantastic day vaulting by taking second and that gaining an all state award.  Hayden ran extremely well in the 800 by getting a PR and finding out inside what she is capable of running,” Gray said. 

Boys

On the boys’ side, Braden Reid notched a pair of new PRs. He did so in the 55 where stopped the watch 8.52 seconds and hit a milestone in the 200 as well in 32.47.

Standout Caden Tillard had the highest placing at State among the boys in 55 hurdles. The sophomore ran his way into the podium by placing sixth in 3A when he crossed the finish line in a PR of 8.97.

Tillard didn’t stop there. He also unleashed a best time in the 200 where he finished in 26.22 seconds and also crushed his fastest 800 time when he recorded a 2:15.05.

“All in all the eight athletes had a great season. Caden ran a fantastic 800 and then had to turn around and run the finals in the high hurdles which he got sixth with only a 35-minute rest - perseverance and courage at its best. Maggie Halvorsen and Michael Schowengerdt had solid days in the distance races with Michael gaining a PR in the 800,” Gray said. “Jadon Pasko had a solid day in the shot put and is ready to get it done in the outdoor season. The kids did improve from meet to meet and met the goal of getting ready for the outdoor season. The efforts and gains were accomplished with the help of coach Tillard, coach Hayes and coach Finch helping the kids to get ready week in and week out.

“Thank You to them and the athletes for the efforts and willingness to step out of their comfort zones and get better each meet. We also need to thank Natrona county High School for allowing us to use their facility each week to practice in.”