Osmond boys are fourth, girls sixth at Battle Creek invite

BATTLE CREEK — On Tuesday, April 6, Battle Creek High School hosted its 12-team invitational. The meet starting time was moved up an hour because of the forecast of early evening rain and storms. Both Osmond teams had gold medal performers.

The girls' gold medal winner was Cali Gutz. Cali won the 1,600 meters in 6:09.9, leading from start to finish.

On the boys' side, Johnson Chishiba won the 800 meters after making a strong move on the last curve to out kick West of Battle Creek. His time was 2:11.9.

The final event of the day was the second gold medal performance as the Tigers won the 1,600-relay. Bodie True took the lead and never gave it up. Johnson Chishiba was next and handed off to Graysen Schultze who gave anchorman Connor Gutz a nice lead. Their time was a nice 3:41.9.

Second place went to Graysen Schultze in the 1,600 meters as he was closing on Stanton’s Van Pelt but could not quite get him. Graysen’s time was 4:56.5. Johnson Chishiba took sixth place in 5:06.1.

In the first event on the track, the 3,200-relay, Osmond took second place right behind Battle Creek. The team of Chishiba, Ryan Schmit, Karter Johnson and Schultze ran some great splits for a time of 8:53.8.

Graysen also scored second in the triple jump after running the 3,200-relay. His best jump measured 40 ft., 7 in. Bradee Gubbels had a nice jump in the triple jump nearly two feet farther than last meet. His third place jump measured 40 ft., 5 in.

The girl’s 3200-relay team collected fourth place in a time of 12:08.2. Team members were Cali Gutz, Kiera Moes, Elisa Herrera, and Lexi Beacom. Bodie True ran to a fourth place finish in the 200 meters in a time of 24.2.

Lexi Beacom ran a strong last lap in the 3,200 meters, moving from seventh place up to fifth place. Her time was 15:41.5. The girls' 1,600-relay also placed fifth in a time of 4:38.5. Team members were Riley Wagner, Erica Heiman, Grace Gansebom, and Cali Gutz. Connor Gutz placed fifth for the boys in the 400 meters in his best time of 55.5.

Grace Gansebom placed sixth in the long jump with a leap of 15 ft., 6.5 in.; she also made the finals of the 200 meters but did not place.

The boys' 400-relay team finished in sixth place in a time of 47.7. Team members were Connor Gutz, Brenden Gillespie, Bodie True, and Zach Huwaldt. Kaden Polt made the finals of the 110 high hurdles but did not place and just missed placing in the 300 hurdles.

“We really had some good marks and times," noted Coach Ortmeier. “Nearly everyone showed improvement and that’s important this time of the season.”

Girls' Scores

Battle Creek.........................141

Norfolk Catholic..................120

O'Neill.................................115

Elkhorn Valley.......................49

Plainview...............................46

Osmond.................................18

Randolph...............................11

Stanton...................................10

EPPJ........................................6

Winside....................................5