Liberator Track made progress in the Ozark Conference at the JFK Stadium on Wednesday, May 3.
The Liberator boys had 42 personal records in 38 events. Coach Daniel Bayless says the competition at the meet was tough, consisting of eleven schools that were all larger in size than Bolivar.
“We had a wonderful time at the O.C. meet. The weather was great, and the competition was better,” Coach Bayless stated. “I am pleased with how our kids are starting to peak at the right time. The meet is unique because varsity and JV both compete at the same location. This makes 38 events (19 varsity and 19 JV) in one day.”
As Bayless also says, the meet served as a springboard for the team’s postseason competition.
Liberators garnered many points during the Ozark Conference meet, and the following athletes on the boys team earned All Conference honors:
Ozark Conference - 1st Team
Ozark Conference - 2nd Team
Ozark Conference Honorable Mention
Other highlights include Payson Reisner’s 5th place out of 15 competitors in the 3200m run. The team also placed 4th of 8 teams in the 4x800m relay. Jason Wilkinson placed 5th of 12 competitors in the high jump and 8th of 14 in the triple jump. Jacob D’Agostino placed 10th of 20 competitors in the long jump. Sam Pulsipher placed 8th of 11 competitors in the pole vault, and Owen McCullah placed 10th of 17 competitors in the shot put.
As for girls track, senior Dailynn VanDeren, once again, took the gold in discus, with Laynie DeGraffenreid following in 6th place of 18 competitors. VanDeren also placed second in the shot put event.
Junior Chloe Davenport placed 5th of 18 competitors in the 100m dash (in 12.96) and 7th in the 200m dash (in 27.25).
In the 4x800m relay, Ayden Spotila, Julia Jump, Emma Howes, and Ellaina Porter placed first for Bolivar, and as their coach Vicki McDonald said, the team “continued to show they are a dominant force in not only this relay but all the distance races.” The Bolivar girls also got 5th in the 4x100m and 4x200m relays.
“The girls had a great showing at the Ozark Conference meet. They finished 4th overall. Lots of girls had personal records on the season and are cutting time going into our Championship series, which starts on Saturday with Districts,” said Coach McDonald.
Some recognitions include Kami Bryan’s 4th place of 14 competitors in the triple jump and 6th place of 11 athletes in the 400m dash (in 1:03.57). Anna Seiner placed 4th of 13 in the 300m hurdles, and junior Julia Jump got 5th place in the 3200m run. In the 800m run, Ayden Spotila and Ellaina Porter placed 5th and 6th, respectively. Emma Howes earned 6th place of 15 in the 1600m run. Emma Goodman placed 6th of 14 in the javelin event and reached 7th place in the 100m hurdles. Senior Sidney Batten secured 8th place of 16 competitors in the long jump.
“This girls team is full of gritty athletes that fight hard,” McDonald said. “I am excited to see how they fair in the coming weeks.”
