STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Darts & Supporters -

We ended up the season with some incredible performances at the State Championships last Friday and Saturday. What a way to finish such an amazing year. Great job to the boys and the girls TEAMS for their efforts and for all their hard work and TEAM work throughout the entire year. It all paid off as the girls finished 2nd and gave Spanish Fork a run for their money, and the boys captured their second straight State Championship!!! As coaches we were so proud of the athletes who were competing AND those who were their cheering on their TEAM. It was fun to be a part of another successful season. We feel lucky to be able to work with such outstanding kids, and it was great to see them work hard for something all season long and have it pay off when it counted.

The girls have to feel like champions after competing the way they did. We had so many people step up and score big in some areas we weren't expecting. The girls were led by Natalie Haws who finished 1st in the 3200 with a state record (10:43), 2nd in the 1600 (5:01), and anchored the medley to 2nd with a 2:20 800 split. The surprise performances of the meet came from the jumps. Amy Rees finished 4th in the high jump (5'00) and Collette Simmons finished 4th in the long jump in only her 2nd time jumping (16'11). We also had huge performances from Kristen Billings - 5th in the 100m (12.46); Dani Figgins - 5th in the 200 (25.53); Brooke Jensen - 3rd in the 100 hurdles (15.44); Candace Eddy - 5th in the 1600 (5:08) 2nd in the 3200 (10:52) and 8th in the 800 (2:19); Loren Storey - 8th in the 1600 (5:13); Brittany Dickson - 3rd in the Javelin (110'). And our relays were huge for us: the 4 x 100 (Brooke Jensen, Dani Figgins, Katie Burkholtz, and Kristen Billings) ran the fastest time in the state this year to finish 1st in 48.34. The Medley team of Missy Lott, Dani Figgins, Kristen Billings, Jenni Welling, and Natalie Haws finished 2nd by .08 seconds. And the 4 x 400 team of Rachel Jackson, Jenni Welling, Loren Storey, and Chelsie Jackson finished 6th in 4:02.77. Great job to all of the girls and to Coach West!!

The boys had one of the most exciting Saturday afternoons I have ever witnessed. The first day and a half was an up and down battle. We faced some adversity and some trials, but we stayed strong and positive, and the boys kept their heads in it. There were 7 events on Saturday afternoon – our boys ended up winning 5 of the last 7 events. It began with the 300 hurdles: Shaun Webb came from behind to move into 1^st over the final 2 hurdles with a time of 39.23. At the same time, Jon Ferguson had a HUGE 2^nd jump in the long jump (21’11) a season best by over a foot. Jon held on for 2^nd place, passed only by Ryan Avery who jumped 22’01. The momentum carried to the medley relay where Tanner Hinds, Zach Boarden, Benson Richards, and Spencer Anderson (and Ryan Thomas in the trials) ran our season best 3:34 to pull off the upset. It was sweet standing over by the long jump with a huge crowd of Davis kids watching Ryan and Jon finish 1-2 and Spencer running down the competition over the last 200 of the medley. The TEAM was going wild and annoying all the crowd around them. Bryce and Tony continued our rampage out at the shot put. They have been strong and carried us all season long. They came through again to finish 1-3 and ‘seal the deal’ for us. The relay team of Taylor Carling, Benson Richards, Dan Willoughby, and Shaun Webb (also Maik Wehmeyer and Ben Keaton in the trials), finished off our afternoon of glory by winning the 4 x 400 in commanding fashion – leading most of the way. It was a remarkable afternoon that capped off a hard fought state title and a strong, dominating season for us.

The first day and a half had plenty of highlights as well: Matt Daley came through clearing 6’00 with no misses in the high jump to finish 4^th. Bryce Hall just missed winning the discus (170’02) but was aided by 7^th and 8^th place finishes by Luke Allred and Tony Hill. Rob White finished a solid 5^th in the pole vault. Tandin Chapman finished 7^th in the javelin in his 1^st year of competing (despite an elbow injury). Our 4 x 100 team of Maik Wehmeyer, Taylor Carling, Zach Boarden, and Ryan Avery had an incredible year – breaking records left and right – and finished 3^rd in a tight race. Ryan Avery broke his own school record in the 100m trials (10.93) and finished 3^rd in the finals (10.98); he also finished 6^th in the 200 right after finishing up the long jump. And Shaun Webb actually began the 2^nd day with an awesome upset win in the 110 hurdles with a pr 14.82. With 3 1^st place finishes, Shaun was our hero of the meet – and his speed suit is now our magic speed suit – hopefully to carry over into next year.

Overall, it was an incredible experience for us as coaches and for our athletes. It made all of the time and sacrifice which we have all put in to the TEAM and the season worth it. I feel lucky and blessed to be a part of it and to be able to work with such wonderful kids who bring passion and excitement to the sport. They are outstanding on and off of the track, and they deserve all of the success they have had this year.

Thanks to all the parents who have given their support this year. From help at the Davis Invite to treats after dual meets to allowing your kids to spend so much time at the track, thank you for all you have done for us.

Thanks to all of the coaches who have put so much time and energy into the TEAM this year. Coach West in her first year has brought such positive attitude and some great enthusiasm. Coach McFadden has pushed our sprinters who have been unbelievable this whole season; although this is only his 2^nd year, he brings a lot of knowledge and technique work to the sprinters. We are going to miss him in many ways next year – Cody, WY is lucky to get him. Coach Parrish has been willing to put a lot of time into learning the throws and keeping our kids disciplined and excited to set personal bests. And Coach Agnello has not only become a new father this season, but he has been able to sacrifice some of his time to keep our vaulters going.

Thanks to Coach Buhrley who is still so willing to help me out – not just me, but many of our athletes who needed some experienced coaching at times this season. A lot of our success is still due to the efforts of Coach Buhrley and our TEAM wouldn’t be near what it was without him.

And finally, thanks to all the kids who have made this so memorable and so much fun. They have been patient with a relatively young coaching staff. They have worked hard, but still kept things fun. They have sacrificed and come together as a TEAM.

Upcoming:

Tuesday, May 20 – TEAM pictures and uniform turn in. After school in the bleachers

Thursday, May 22 – TEAM barbeque and awards banquet. 5:30 at the track.

For full state meet results go to: track.byu.edu

For future state meet pictures go to: darttrack.blogpsot.com

Thanks for a great season –

Coach Talley