Hornet Running
by Jeff Arnold
Varsity Track Season Opens
The varsity track season opened for County High with a big invitational meet in Alamosa Saturday March 25th. The boys placed second overall and the girls third.
The boys 4x800 relay team took second with a 9:07.2. Mark Montelongo led off with a 2:12 leg, Kaven Rhule ran 2:20.2 in second, Adam Arellano 2:16 in third and Jon Todd Baker brought it home in 2:19. In the 1500 meter run Chad Stapleton took seventh in 4:51.9. Kyle Reno ran 5:00.7 and Brad Winn 5:10.8. Chad anchored the 1600 medley with an 800 in a PR 2:08.7. In the 3000 Kyle took fifth in 11:07.7, Brad ran 11:48.3, and R.J. Salazar 12:45.1.
The girls 4x800 relay took fifth. Nicole Pirraglia led off in 2:56.4, Rebekah Kobilan ran the second in 2:57.7, Valerie Valdez the third in 3:05.2, and Brianna Bachmeier anchored in 3:07.4 for a total of 12:06.7. In the 1500 Kristi Koshke ran 5:54.2, Rebekah 6:16.7, and Valerie 6:52.6. Kristi ran the 800 anchor on the second place 1600 medley in 2:48.8. Rebekah took fifth in 13:34.8.
We had our second varsity track meet of the season at a quad with Centennial, East and Central March 28 at Dutch Clark. Both boys and girls took second.
To my mind the outstanding performances of the night were a couple of relay anchor legs, the first and last for the boys. In the 4x800 we were a very long way behind when Chad Stapleton got the baton. I was running the high jump at that time so I didnšt have splits going but I could see Chad was really running. He closed a lot on a good Centennial anchor and ran a PR 2:05. In the 4x400 our first two runners were tired and cold and we were a long way behind when Adam Arellano got the baton on the third leg. He ran a low 52 split to put us in position for Chris Reinhardtšs amazing anchor. Centennial had a pretty good lead with a rocket fast runner carrying the stick. Chris took off and got close and was gaining half way through the last turn and I commented to someone that Centennialšs anchor would turn it on and hold Chris off. Chris didnšt listen and flew by. He had a PR 52.7 split.
Chad also had a good 1600, a 5:07 for third, and then ran the 200 in a PR 25.3 which isnšt going to scare any sprinters but will confirm for him that he can run a sub two minute 800. Brad Winn ran a 2:24 relay leg which was disappointing for him and then a good early season 5:17 1600, followed by an open 800 in 2:29.7. After a 2:20 leg on the B 4x800 relay Kyle Reno stayed out of the 1600 to be fresh for the 3200. The 3200 was canceled because of darkness so Kyle anchored the B 4x400 team with a PR 60.3 split.
In the first three legs of the A 4x800 relay Jon Todd Baker ran 2:12, Hank Hessen ran 2:20, Mark Montelongo 2:20. The B relay had R.J. Salazar lead off with 2:34, Kyle 2:20, Brad 2:24, and Kaven Rhule 2:20. R.J. ran the 1600 in 5:51 and the 800 in 2:37.8. Kaven ran the 1600 in a PR 5:12 and the 800 in 2:24. Joe Marino ran 6:55 in the 1600.
On the distaff side the girls started the meet with a big win in the 4x800 relay. Nicole Pirraglia led off with a 3:00, Rebekah Kobilan ran a season best 2:52 leg, Kristi Koschke put us in the lead with another season best 2:41. and Leann Lisac held on with a very good 2:45 which sealed a half lap victory in 11:20.2. In the 1600 Kristi ran a season best 6:12 to take first. Rebekah took second in a PR 6:20, Jennifer Huskin ran her first ever 1600 in 7:20, Valerie 7:32 and Alyssa Morris 7:44. In the open 800 Kristišs 2:44 took third well behind a stunning 2:22 by Centennialšs Jenna Bimbi. Nicole ran 2:56.5 and Alyssa 3:27.4.
Pueblo is jumping into the track season with both feet with the Pueblo Challenge Cup at Dutch Clark Friday March 31 and Saturday April 1, and thatšs no joke. Sixteen teams including defending state champion Mullen have been invited. Field events get underway at 3:00 Friday afternoon and 9 Saturday morning. The South Central League Relays will be held at Dutch Clark Tuesday April 4. I hope to see you at one or both of those meets.