By Keith Brake
Editor
BELLE PLAINE – It was windy, but sunny. Does that mean spring is in the air?
Well, the start of track season does, and the Braves got under way with a strong showing in Class B of the Belle Plaine Invitational on Thursday, April 3.
The Braves were third in a seven-team field, scoring 120 points while giving chase to second-place Belle Plaine (134). English Valleys won the meet with 181 points.
Montezuma athletes won two events and placed second in four others.
“I saw some strong performances and was very pleased with how we ran,” said Coach John Beck.
David Rose and Broox Stockman ran one-two in the 100-meter dash. Rose clocked 11.71 seconds while Stockman crossed he line in 11.96.
Rose anchored Montezuma’s winning 4×100 team. Others running were Damien Knox, Broox Stockman and Brady Boulton. Their time was 45.60 seconds.
Beau Young was second in the discus with a throw of 100 feet and one-half inch. He also placed third in the shot put at 32 feet, 5 inches, so it appears the Braves have a young force building in the throws.
Montezuma placed second in the 4×800, with Talen Holland, Rett Pargeon, Cael Cheney and Dayton Reif clocking 9:42.42.
The Braves placed second in the 4×110 hurdle shuttle, with Bryson Stockman, Easton Hudnut, Luke Brennan and Damien Knox stepping them off in 1:13.03.
Montezuma’s other second place finish came in the 4×200, where Bryson Stockman, Luke Brennan Brady Boulton and Broox Stockman were in at 1:40.34.
For an opening meet, the Braves showed they have strong performers throughout their lineup.
“Baton work and handoffs will be key moving forward, as well as working on hurdles and specials,” Beck said.
“I’m excited to see how our guys continue to compete moving forward,” said the coach.
Belle Plaine Invitational
Boys Class B
Team Scores – 1, English Valleys 181. 2, Belle Plaine 134. 3, Montezuma 120. 4, Keota 54. 5, HLV 51. 6, Twin Cedars 17. 7, Meskwaki Settlement 15.
Montezuma places, efforts
Long jump – 4, Damien Knox, 18-0. 5, Brady Boulton, 17-3. 11, Evan Haughey, 15-1.
High jump – No MHS qualifiers.
Discus – 2, Beau Young, 100-0.50. 9, Talen Holland, 82-3.5. 12, Dane Strong, 76-0.5.
Shot put – 3, Beau Young, 32-5. 11, Brodie Saringer, 22-11.75.
Sprint Medley – 3, MHS, 1:47.70 (Luke Brennan, Brady Boulton, Luke Erselius, Bryson Stockman).
3,200 – 3, Linkyn Bru, 12:44.60. 4, Damon Nicholas, 13:25.90.
4×800 – 2, MHS, 1:13.01 (Talen Holland, Rett Pargeon, Cael Cheney, Dayton Reif).
4×110 hurdles – 2, MHS, 1:13.01 (Bryson Stockman, Easton Hudnut, Luke Brennan, Damien Knox.
100 – 1, David Rose, 11.71. 2, Broox Stockman, 11.96. 8, Evan Haughey, 13.31.
Distance Medley – 4, MHS, 4:38.23. (Kohen Holland, Dane Strong, Alexson Becerril, Cade Lowry).
400 – 3, Luke Erselius, 56.94. 4, David Rose, 57.67.
4×200 – 2, MHS, 1:40.34. (Bryson Stockman, Luke Brennan, Brady Boulton, Broox Stockman).
110 hurdles – 5, Easton Hudnut, 21.86.
800 – 4, Rett Pargeon, 2:24.38. 10, Linkyn Bru, 2:Z40.25.
200 – 6, Luke Erselius, 26.86.
400 hurdles – 3, Bryson Stockman, 1:08.03. 4, Easton Hudnut, 1:12.80.
1,600 – 7, Cael Cheney, 5:51.02. 8, Cade Lowry, 6:01.21.
4×100 – 1, MHS, 45.60 (Damien Knox, Broox Stockman, Brady Boulton, David Rose).
JV 4×110 – 5, MHS. 1:00.44 (Yudiel Gonzalez, Nicholas Damon, Brodie Saringer, Beau Young).
4×400 – 5, MHS, 4:11.38 (Alexson Becerril, Talen Holland, Dayton Reif, Evan Haughey).