WAUKEE – If perhaps you haven’t noticed it, you’re sure to from now on.
Montezuma has some notable girls athletic talent in the junior high.
They dominated their own Gayle Creswell Relays earlier this spring.
Then, on Saturday, May 7, a group of them went to the Mike Henderson Middle School/Junior High State Meet in Waukee, and had even more fun.
Montezuma girls won a pair of relays and scored 23 points to place eighth out of 38 scoring teams in the eighth grade portion of the Class 1A-2A meet.
The Montezuma quartet of Kayl Young, Macy Young, Sydnee Burgess and Chloe Snook won the 4×200 and sprint medley relays.
The same four placed fifth in the 4×400.
The sprint medley made a statement for Montezuma track, which entered two squads in this event, with both placing in the top 10.
The state champs clocked 2:02.40, setting school and SICL records. It also was the fastest time of the day in all classes.
The second Montezuma team posted a 2:14.73 time. Runners were Rylee Wolford, Lily Ferry, Vivian Cook and Kami Mathes. This also would have been a school record. As it was, it was “a heck of a performance,” said Coach Kevin Gartman.
Montezuma’s winning 4×200 time of 1:57.0 “beat all 3A and 4A schools except one,” Gartman said.
The Bravettes got a sixth-place distance medley of 5:02.67 from Rylee Wolford, Haileah Eichenberger, Vivian Cook and Kami Mathes.
The Montezuma 4×100 relay of Eichenberger, Wolford, Ufrer and Lily Ferry clocked 1:00.50, which was 15th best.
Seventh grade results
Competing as a seventh grader in the high jump, Burgess placed third, tying her personal record at 4 feet, 8 inches.
Also in the seventh grade meet, Leah Urfer placed fifth in the discus at 65 feet, 8 and one-half inches, a personal record and just inches out of the runner-up spot, according to Gartman.
Also, Vivian Cook clocked 2:58.68 in the 800, taking five seconds off her previous best. Her effort was 14th best among seventh graders.
Urfer took a full second off her previous best in the 100 hurdles in 21.55, also 14th best on the day.
So pay attention, folks. The Blue Swarm is already in the building, and it will be getting lots more of your attention!
Mike Henderson Girls JH State Meet
At Waukee
Class 1A-2A 8th grade team points – 1, Treynor 54. 8, tie, Montezuma 23. A total of 38 teams scored.
Montezuma team scoring – Macy Young 5.5, Chloe Snook 5.5, Sydnee Burgess 5.5, Kayl Young 5.5, Rylee Wolford .25, Haleah Eichenberger .25, Kami Mathes .25, Vivian Cook .25.
Montezuma places, efforts
4×200 – 1, Montezuma, 1:57.0 (Kayl Young, Macy Young, Sydnee Burgess, Chloe Snook).
Sprint medley – 1, Montezuma, 2:02.40 (Kayl Young, Macy Young, Sydnee Burgess, Chloe Latcham). 10, Montezuma, 2:14.73 (Rylee Wolford, Lily Ferry, Vivian Cook, Kami Mathes).
4×400 – 5, Montezuma, 4:41.73. (Macy Young, Sydnee Burgess, Kayl Young, Chloe Latcham).
7th GRADE MEET – Montezuma scored 8 points.
Montezuma team scoring – Sydnee Burgess 6, Leah Urfer 2.
Montezuma places, efforts
High jump – 3, Sydnee Burgess, 4-8.
Discus – 5, Leah Urfer, 65-8.5.
Personal records
100 hurdles – 14, – Leah Urfer, 21.55.
800 – 14, Vivian Cook, 2:58.68.