Pierce/Wausa invitational: Boys seventh, girls ninth

PIERCE — On Thursday, April 22, the Osmond track teams traveled to Pierce for the Tom Martin Memorial/Wausa Invitational. The weather was cool, cloudy and breezy, but much better than Monday, April 19, when the Hartington-Newcastle Wildcat invite was canceled because of freezing temps and snow.

The Tigers had a tough day scoring as the competition was very strong. The boys’ 3,200-relay team had the best finish of the day as they were runner-up to Hartington Cedar Catholic. The Trojans’ time was 8:43.95 and the Osmond quartet ran 8:54.08, which equals their best effort. Team members were Johnson Chishiba, Ryan Schmit, Karter Johnson and Graysen Schultze.

Cali Gutz ran a very good 1,600 meter run, placing third in her best time of the year of 6:01.89. Jordyn Arens of Crofton won the event in 5:29.68.

Spencer Hille placed third in the high jump at 5 ft., 8 in. Also in the field events, Schultze leaped to sixth place in the triple jump with a mark of 39 ft., 4 in. Zach Huwaldt made the finals of the shot put, but did not place.

Back on the track, Schultze and Chishiba competed in a very strong 1,600 meter race. Carson Noecker of Hartington CC won the event at 4:39.66 and Connor Arens of Crofton second at 4:56.55. Third went to Ben Hammond of Norfolk Catholic, edging out Graysen 4:57.03 to 4:57.79. Chishiba was next at 4:59.83, his best time ever. Chishiba ran his fastest 800 meters of the year at 2:09.98, good for sixth place.

The girls’ 1,600-relay team finished in sixth place. The foursome of Riley Wagner, Erica Heiman, Grace Gansebom and Gutz covered the distance in 4:44.76. The boys’ 1,600-relay placed fifth in a time of 3:43.14. Team members were Bodie True, Chishiba, Schultze and Connor Gutz. The boys’ 400-relay team ran their fastest time of the season at 47.52 for a fifth-place finish. Team members for this relay were Gutz, Bryan Solorzano, Bodie True and Huwaldt.

Kiera Moes made the finals of the triple jump and Grace Gansebom made the long jump finals, but did not place.

“This was a tough meet, but it will help us as we move into the conference and district meets,” Coach Joe Ortmeier stated.

Girls’ Scores

Norfolk Catholic................ 100

Pierce................................... 95

Crofton................................ 78

Hartington CC..................... 70

Bloomfield........................... 63

Wausa.................................. 54

Summerland........................ 28

Hartington-Newcastle............ 9

Osmond................................. 8