The Van Buren County girls track and field team captured the team title Thursday, April 9th at the Burdell Hensley Relays at EBF, finishing with 145 points to claim a victory that head coach Lucinda DeHart said the program has been chasing for years.
The full team standings were as follows: Van Buren County 145, Lynnville-Sully 126, EBF 97, Pleasantville 92, East Marshall 74, Moravia 54, Cardinal 50, Clarke 38, Lone Tree 36, and Twin Cedars 7.
Event Wins
Van Buren County claimed four event victories on the day. Rory Philips won the 400-meter dash in 1:08.02. Aubrey Loeffler won the 400-meter hurdles in 1:14.45, with Adalyn Snowgren placing third in 1:21.79. The 4×100 relay team of Aida Troutman, Ava Loeffler, Daphny Wells, and Emma Coffin won in 53.14. The distance medley team of Emma Coffin, Daphny Wells, Ava Loeffler, and Kayley Snowgren won in 4:41.54.
Sprints and Dashes
Aida Troutman placed sixth in the 100-meter dash in 14.06 and Grace Richards 17th in 15.63 behind winner Tatum Huyser of Lynnville-Sully at 12.87. In the 200-meter dash, Emma Coffin placed fourth in 28.58, Grace Richards 20th in 32.85, and Willow Worley 22nd in 33.24 behind Huyser’s winning time of 26.39. Rory Philips won the 400-meter dash in 1:08.02 and Gabby Titus placed fourth in 1:10.88.
Distance Events
Kayley Snowgren placed second in the 800-meter run in 2:37.76 and Gabby Titus fourth in 2:44.91 behind winner Sydney Hull of East Marshall at 2:29.02. In the 1,500-meter run, Rory Philips placed second in 5:38.10 and Rylee Philips fourth in 5:42.43 behind Hull’s winning time of 5:30.17. Rylee Philips also placed second in the 3,000-meter run in 12:29.06 behind winner Mandeesa Vos of Lynnville-Sully at 12:11.09.
Hurdles
Armoney Adams placed 14th in the 100-meter hurdles in 20.21 behind winner Lacey Taylor of EBF at 15.99. Aubrey Loeffler won the 400-meter hurdles in 1:14.45 and Adalyn Snowgren placed third in 1:21.79.
Relays
The 4×200 team of Adalyn Snowgren, Aubrey Loeffler, Ali Pedretti, and Daphny Wells placed third in 1:59.79 behind winner Lynnville-Sully at 1:50.64. The 4×400 team of Kayley Snowgren, Rory Philips, Rylee Philips, and Ali Pedretti placed fourth in 4:53.39 behind winner Pleasantville at 4:22.33. The 4×800 team of Rory Philips, Adalyn Snowgren, Gabby Titus, and Kayley Snowgren placed second in 10:54.22 behind Lynnville-Sully’s winning time of 10:40.24. The 800-meter sprint medley team of Aida Troutman, Ava Loeffler, Daphny Wells, and Emma Coffin placed second in 2:00.94 behind Pleasantville at 1:56.42. The shuttle hurdle relay team of Ali Pedretti, Aubrey Loeffler, Willow Worley, and Armoney Adams placed fourth in 1:21.95 behind winner Pleasantville at 1:11.38.
Field Events
Aubrey Loeffler placed fourth in the high jump clearing 4-04 behind winner Marisa Cahalan of East Marshall at 4-10. Aida Troutman placed fourth in the long jump at 14-03 and Ali Pedretti 14th at 12-04.25 behind winner Ava Christofferson of Lone Tree at 16-02.75. Briley Losey placed fourth in the shot put at 29-11, Elli Daugherty 10th at 25-08, Lizzie Camp 12th at 24-03, and Willow Worley 20th at 22-01 behind winner Taylor Perkins of Pleasantville at 36-02. Losey also placed fourth in the discus at 90-00, Sophia Scharf 10th at 78-11, Elli Daugherty 16th at 63-10, and Lizzie Camp 19th at 58-04 behind winner Bristol Albert of Cardinal at 97-03.
DeHart praised her team’s effort and depth while acknowledging there is still plenty of room to grow as the season progresses.
“Very proud of these girls,” DeHart said. “Most of them have had to step up and give it their all in four events. It’s tough, especially when it is just a girls meet. Our field events have been key, with some younger girls stepping up. That being said, we have a well-rounded but young team that continues to improve and are working hard. There is still much of the season left and we are still working on perfecting the lineup, as well as getting everyone stronger in their events. Next week will be tough with three meets, but they will definitely help the girls get stronger and help us see what the end of the year will look like.”
Photo by A.J. Roe.
