Boys sweep first, Girls runner-up at Conference meet

Last week’s Park Hill Invitational was the last opportunity for the Trojan track teams to prepare themselves for this week’s all important Conference meet at Staley. While the boys took first place against a tough field of competition, both teams have reason to be optimistic down the final stretch.

Near the top of the leader board in almost every event, the boys racked up 185 points compared to Fort Osage’s second place total of 126 team points. The Trojans were led once again by Nick Smith in the shot put and discus. Smith has provided a high level of consistency for Park Hill throughout the season. Other areas of strength for the boys are the 4x400 and 4x200 relay teams which edged out North Kansas City in both races along with other hurdle and long-distance events including Adrien Esaw in the 110 meter hurdles (1st), Dondrell Hardiman in the 300 meter hurdles (1st), and Nathan Kohler (1st), Fernando Garcia (2nd), and Cain Winebrenner’s (1st) performances in the 800 and 1600 meter runs.

The quality outcome against teams with athletes like those of Fort Osage and Raytown sets Coach Mark Gourley’s boys team up for what they hope will be a conference championship this Thursday in the second and final day of the conference meet. Their ability to not necessarily win every event, but score high in a wide range of those events will be an advantage that could pay off for the Trojan boys.

On the girls side, after placing fourth in the PH Invitational Coach Tari Garner doesn’t think she’s seen the best out of her team yet, but sees a lot of potential. Junior Helena Hudson has been a consistently high performer. She placed first in the 100 meter hurdles last week and joined the 4x100 relay team of Rodnisha Willard, Angie Reagan, and Anesia Jamerson which finished third. Also finishing third were Nikki Collwell in the discus and Stephanie Atkinson in the pole vault. Jordan Cox and Kyleesha Weston also continue to excel in the throw events.

Although the girls haven’t been finishing first in as many events as they’d like, Garner has promoted the overall team as motivation at the individual level.

“We consistently talk about the fact that each individual has to give their best performance… it doesn’t have to be about winning the event but improving and placing in the highest possible spot to achieve team success,” Garner said.

Distance hasn’t been their strength, but recent performances from freshmen Chelsea Lewis and Shari Grayson have provided quality additions to this year’s team. One thing Garner isn’t denying is the improvement she’s seen across the board as the season has gone on despite injuries that have affected overall team results.

“We will continue to improve and perform our best,” Garner said. “The Conference Championship is our next goal and we plan to qualify at least three events to the State Championship Meet.”