The Big Lake boys track and field team is looking to score lots of points in meets this season. And the distance events will be a big part of that scoring.
“We’re going to pretty heavy in the distance events,” says Coach Bob Blanchard. “They were state champions in cross country, and they’re going to be our go-to bread-and-butter almost every meet.”
The top four distance runners for the cross country team were Kade, Layton, Owen Layton, Christian Noble and Jack Leuer. Add to those another three or four experienced runners, and the Hornets could compete for the win in the 3200, 1600, 800 and 4x800 meter events in most of their meets.
The Layton bothers finished 1-2 in the 1600 last week, with Leuer not far behind in third.
Noble, who went to the state meet in the 800 last season, won the event at Monticello last week with Kade Layton second and Leuer third.
But the team is also well-rounded in other areas. In field events, look for Hayden Thieke to be near the top in the long jump and triple jump. He won both events in the Monticello indoor meet last week, hitting the 40-foot mark in the triple jump.
The Hornets have a contingent of high jumpers who could place in almost every meet, including Carson Kunz, who went 6’2” last season and is looking to break the school record of 6’3”. Kyle Ginther and Wuoson Nehwah placed in the top five in the high jump and can hold their own in the long jump.
Christian Noble has gone 11 feet in the pole vault already this season, with teammate Spencer Vold clearing 10’6”. They finished 1-2 last week.
Luke Hugo almost reached the 40-foot mark in the shot put at Monticello, which will place him near the top in some meets.
Trevor Maruska went over 37 feet in the triple jump and was second in 55 meter hurdles last week.
Some sprinters to watch this season are Thieke, Joe Murphy, CJ Mikely, Amado Espinosa and Evan Secord. They can compete in events from the 100 to 400 meters and sprint relay events.
If everyone stays healthy, it could be a good year for the Hornets.
