Falcons, Wolves lead first group to state

Maywood-Hayes Center sophomore Avery Johnson has the winning focus as she zoomed to a D-8 district championship in Wednesday’s track and field showdown at Paxton High School. Johnson outlasted several strong challengers like Wauneta-Palisade’s Michaela Dukes, who placed third on Wednesday.

Diane Stamm/Wauneta Breeze

te area athletes qualified for state in every event of the D-8 district championship meet on Wednesday.

The Hitchcock County Falcons led this contingent with 87 points and second place among 11 teams competing for state trips to Omaha Burke Stadium next week.

Champions Kyleigh Scott (pole vault) and Jasmine Youngquist (high jump) will lead the Hitchcock girls.

Scott also placed second during the 100-meter dash, and other Faclcons excelled in races like sophomore Kass Kisker (second, 100-high hurdles).

Top two qualifiers all advance into Class D state starting Friday, May 19.

A pair of Falcon relays qualified featuring Kisker, Youngquist, Scott, Hoyt, Amanda Horinek and Laynee Merrill.

However, other area schools like Maywood-Hayes Center (76 points), Wauneta-Palisade (49) and Medicine Valley (35) delivered several top places. Double-event throwing champion Faith Simpson will lead the Broncos. Simpson and teammate Reagan Skow teamed for a 1-2 shot put finish.

MH-C senior Kayla Minary returns to state after winning the 1600 meters and placing third among 3200 runners.

She joined sophomore Avery Johnson as district champions.

Johnson hurled to a 300-meter victory (50.24 seconds) in a close race with Mullen’s Samantha Moore (50.64).

Wauneta-Palisade’s Michaela Dukes earned third in that race.

Medicine Valley feaetured senior Rachel Lashley a top four finisher in two events.

Lashley showed her 400-meter talents both individually (fourth) and part of a 1600 relay that placed third. Acelyn Klein, Sabra Scchmidt and Alex Ellermeier joined Lashley on that relay.

All state qualifiers officially appear in an upcoming edition.