A WRAP ON TRACK: Relays, Sarvey lead way in successful season at WHSAA 3A finals

It was a small contingency compared to most programs over the weekend in Casper, but the Glenrock High School track & field program competed at a much higher level than the size of its roster. When the final lap was complete and last distance  measured, the Herders – its boys relays and Casey Sarvey –  had plenty to be happy about.

It was another weekend filled with best efforts and making the podium in eight events May 22-24 at the Wyoming High School Actives Associations championships. 

The list of GHS athletes to take center stage on the podium where medals ware received was proof that a successful season was compete. It was a three-day event that was highlighted by a fantastic run through relays among the boys and a fantastic finale for one of the few seniors on the team.

That senior, Sarvey, was clutch in the final event of his track career where he captured second place in discus, the highest placing among all Herders over the weekend. Sarvey unleashed a throw of 143 feet, 6 inches to take silver and only finished behind Douglas state champ Hunter Anderson, who was not much further ahead at 150-10.

“We lose a great group of seniors and not only the state qualifiers.  This group is made up of hard workers who are going to move forward and achieve great things,” head coach Heath Hayes said. “These kids mixed with the up-and-comers made their ways into the Herder all-time top 10 in their events  during their careers.”

Sarvey packed a punch in shot put as well. He didn’t finish among the leaders but he beat his seeded distance by five inches with a heave of 41-10.

Brigham Partridge also brought his time at GHS to finish with a view from the podium. The senior earned sixth overall in triple jump with a best mark on the day of 41-1.

The only other graduate to medal in an individual event for the Herders was three-sport letterman Megann Farley. The senior brought her school-record-setting year and career to a close with a State souvenir as well by clearing eighth place in pole vault at 9-0.

Taking over for Farley just might be Ayden Lamb. He qualified for State as a sophomore and took eighth in pole vault with an solid 12-0 on the biggest stage.

Glenrock scored most of its points in relays where it placed in three of the four races, more than neighboring Douglas which medalled in two. The best finish was in the 4x800-meter relay when Owen Partridge, Haiden Ward, Koi Horn and Caden Tillard ran their way to fifth place in 8 minutes, 48.76 seconds. 

Several Herders were busy in multiple events and were impressive in the 4x400 relay. The quartet of Carson Tomlin, Ayden Moulton, Brigham Partridge and Brady Dona scored seventh after they clocked a 3:41.39.

Glenrock showed it could compete with the big boys in sprints. The 4x100 foursome of Preston Sorenson, Tomlin, Moulton and Dona ran their way into medalling seventh with a solid 45.25.

Tillard brought two medals back to Converse Country. The sophomore also made the finals in 300 hurdles and went on to take eighth when he stopped the watch at 44.70 and nailed a PR 43.55 to qualify. Sorenson posted an 18.07 in prelims. 

Tillard qualified for State in both hurdles. The future of GHS track also notched a PR in the prelims of the 110 hurdles when he crossed the finish line in 17.64. Sorenson also qualified and posted an 18.84.

Dona, a junior, just missed making the finals in the 100 by two-run tenths of a second but still delivered a PR of 11.66.

On the girls side, Hayden Lythgoe brought her successful career to a close by qualifying for State in both hurdles. The senior ran an 18.51 in 100 hurdles and a 49.27 in 300 hurdles. 

The Herders also qualified for State in 4x400 where they ended a great year with a great run. The crew of Taitum Helmey, Gillian Holman, Farley and Lythgoe clocked a PR of 4:26.06.

In field events, junior Mallory tied her best mark in high jump at 4-9.

“Coming out of the State track meet not quite how we necessarily thought we would, however with one All-State athlete – Casey Sarvey in the discus with a career best throw just when he needed it isn’t a bad thing. We also had seven personal best and career records,” Hayes said.

PODIUM PLACERS

The podium was well visited by the Herders with eight placers on all three days at State. Those successes were achieved by: 

Boys

Triple Jump

6th - Brigham Partridge, 41-1

4x800 relay

5th -Owen Partridge, Haiden Ward,Koi Horn and Caden Tillard,8:48.76

4x400 relay

7th - Carson Tomlin, Ayden Moulton, Brigham Partridge and Brady Dona, 3:41.39

4x100 relay

7th - Carson Tomlin, Preston Sorenson, Ayden Moulton and Brady Dona, 45.25

300 hurdles

8th - Caden Tillard, 44.70

Pole vault

8th - Ayden Lamb, 12-0

Discus

2nd - Casey Sarvey, 43-6

Girls

Pole vault

8th - Megann Farley, 9-0