2012 In Review

The track and field season passed by in a flash as the likes of Taylor Holz, Dalton Lockwood, Peppiina Raisanen and Brent Bussinger blazed a trail to Omaha. In all, Potter-Dix sent 11 to state, Kimball seven and Banner County four.

Even before the schedule began, Potter-Dix’s Holz made news by signing a national letter of intent to run for the University of Wyoming.

She proceeded to dominate the field in both the 100 meter dash and 100 meter hurdles on her way to an invitation to Omaha. At Mitchell in early April, for example, Holz won the 100 dash against competition from larger schools, tying her own Coyotes record of 12.5. She also finished second in the 100 hurdles and set a school record with a pole vault of 7-6. Later in the month she topped the chart in the 100 hurdles at Pine Bluffs then followed up with a first in the 100 dash and second in the 100 hurdles at Best of the West.

Kimball’s Lockwood looked to be in mid-season form at the first meet, winning two individual events, the 100 meter dash by a fraction over Pine Bluffs’ Landon Naranjo and the 200 meter dash. Bussinger captured the 110 hurdles crown by almost a full second over the Wildcats, Jordan Knaub.

Banner County exchange student Peppiina Raisanen won two events, the 1600 meter and 3200 meter runs.

“I was very nervous about it,” she admitted after the 1600. “That was my first race ever.”

Temperatures soared in to the 80s at the late March Bayard C-D.

“This is perfect weather,” explained Ottoson of Potter-Dix. “I prefer it hot.”

As if to prove his point, the senior won the 110 hurdles with a time of 15.21, the 300 hurdles (41.73) and helped the Coyotes capture the 4x400 relay crown--setting personal records in all of his events. Kelly Green ended up being responsible for most of the Kimball girls’ team points, placing in the 200 and anchoring the 4x100.

The Coyotes’ Kaidee Livingstone had a busy morning at the C-D. She placed second in the 100 hurdles (17.18), then took part in a tie-breaker for first in the high jump. She ultimately took home another second. Later she ran with the 4x400 relay team, earning fourth place points.

At the WTC Bussinger and Bayard’s Brando Stuart electrified those watching the 110 hurdles. The pair charged across the line without a speck of daylight between them. Pickers first sought out Stuart, but a look at the cameras led to a reversal. Bussinger captured the gold by a scant two one hundredths.

By the MAC event, the Potter-Dix girls were showing their strength. Holz overwhelmed the sprints. LaBeau captured first in the grueling 300 hurdles competition. Livingstone topped 8 feet to win in pole vault and a trio of Coyotes—Livingstone, Conner Wolff and Ryley Hicks swept the high jump podium.

“It’s pretty cool,” Wolff said. “It’s not very often we get a one-two-three.”

Meanwhile Banner County’s Lindsey Soule and Maegan Coffman were beginning to assert their shot put form.

At the C-11 district meet in Hershey the team of McCloud, Vogel, Green and Brooke Hager, ran a near flawless 4x100 relay on their way to a convincing win. But not every story turned out so well for Kimball.

In the day’s final event--the boys’ 4x400 relay--Kimball fell behind early. By the time anchor Lockwood took control of the baton, the Longhorns were in third place. With every ounce of energy pouring onto the track, he caught Wes Layton of Hershey at the line. Judges in the booth studied the videotape for more than ten minutes, trying to determine the winner.

Finally word came down from the booth. Hershey had edged Kimball by an almost imperceptible fraction.

Still, Lockwood qualified in the 100 and 200, Bussinger’s come from behind performance in the 110 hurdles gave him the nod. He also qualified in the 300 hurdles. Laura Flores rounded out the group by cruising to a second in the 3200.

Potter-Dix suffered through its own moment of drama at D-11 districts. Bryant Knigge’s hand off in the 4x800 was awkward, causing him to teeter off balance. For a second he struggled on the edge of the lane marker—and disqualification. But he righted himself as teammates Jeff Maddox, Luke Johnson and Jake Johnson cruised to victory.

“We’re going to state!” Luke Johnson shouted afterward.