Photo by Keith Stewart
SOV’s Annie Hogan hands off to Amy Monroe during the 4x8 relay.

Both now set sights on Arthur Invite Friday

by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com

Competing for the first time outdoors this track season, both the SOV boys’ and girls’ teams took first overall in a triangular meet at home.

For the boys, they compiled 91 points, besting second place Tuscola by 27 points and third place Cerro Gordo by 67 points.

Those taking first place for the boys included Zach Devore  in the 400m dash (58.46 seconds), Dalace Ray in the 110m hurdles (21.87), Gage Duran in the long jump (5 feet, 6 inches), Adam Davis in the pole vault (10-00), Ethan Lehman in the triple jump (36-10), Trey Schlieker in the discus (122-06), and the  4x200 relay of Calen Landrus, Jacob Cameron, Zane Uphoff, and Davis (1:42.50).     Login or Subscribe to read the rest of this story.

“Even though it was a small meet, we were able to get a win, and every win has some value,” said boys’ head coach John Bertetto. “The kids have been itching to get outdoors and actually compete with some other schools, which is a great thing to see as a coach. I think this meet showed how having numbers and getting athletes participating in every event can really help you in the smaller meets. I think the results of this meet will keep the kids excited to keep working hard and stay motivated throughout the season.”

On the girls’ side of things, they outdid Tuscola 82-56, while Cerro Gordo earned 34 points.

SOV’s girls also racked up several first place finishes, including Emily Neuhauser in both the 100m dash (13.00) and 200m dash (26.83), Amanda McClain in both the 400m dash (1:00.18) and long jump (16-9 3/4), Carlin Nuzzo in both the 300m hurdles (54.09) and pole vault (7-00), Megan Dash in the high jump (5-02), Mollie Bowman in the triple jump (32-02),  and Amy Monroe in the shot put (30-02).

SOV’s girls also took all the relays except for the 4x100.

The 4x200 group of Ashlynd Risley, Neuhauser, McClain, and Bowman ran a 1:50.24. The 4x400 team of Alyssa Marshall, Nuzzo, Bowman, and Neuhauser ran a 4:30:00 relay. Lastly, the 4x800 team of Anne Hogan, Lucas Kennedy, Cadisen Nuzzo, and Amy Monroe ran a 11:45.00.

Photo by Keith Stewart
Shawn Cody tries to keep pace with Tuscola’s Nick Kemp during the first leg of the 4x800 relay Tuesday. SOV’s relay finished second with a time of 9:54.

“Tonight was a great win for both programs,” said head girls’ coach Kali Taylor. “Always nice to start the outdoor season with a team win, especially at home. It keeps kids motivated and sets the bar high to move forward. The first outdoor meet is always a nice benchmark for me to see where the kids are at and what we need to work on and gives something for the kids to work with, something to surpass for the next meet.”

Both Taylor and Bertetto’s teams will travel to Arthur Friday for the annual Arthur Invite.

“The Arthur meet will have some tough competition in all the events,” said Bertetto. “Our goal is to compete. Right now, we do not have any standout athletes that are guranteed to score points at every meet, but we are improving and will really have to fight to get some places and points on Friday.”

“Our team goal for Arthur is to win the meet,” said Taylor bluntly. “After coming off this team win and with some of the kids not satisfied with their performances, we are prepared to continue to move forward and prove that we are one of the best teams in the area.”

For full meet results, click here.