HEM athletes each place in the top 10 at state track tournament

Each of the participating HEM Miners made a top 10 placement and scored at least one medal from last weekend’s Wyoming High School State Track Tournament in Casper.

Top-three placers included Trevor Rice, who scored second place in the 800 meter run and third in the 400 meter run, and Haley Clark, who placed third in the discus throw. Coach Jackie Jones said she was glad to see her athletes perform to their full potential and outdo their own personal bests.

“The 16 athletes who proudly represent three communities and their high school boasted personal records in almost every single event,” Jones said. “Sophomore Trevor Rice earned four medals, and was named all-state thanks to his second-place finish in the 800. Freshman Haley Clark also placed in four events, highlighted by a third-place finish in discus and a sixth-place finish in the 300 hurdles, an event she never tried until early April.”

Jones said Shelby Bowen and Brianna Cowen also continued their personal contest of pushing each other to higher placings in the triple jump. She also expressed sadness over Cowen, a senior, participating in her last-ever high school state tournament.

“Both girls, Shelby and Brianna, and jumping coach Clif Jones, my assistant and husband, wiped away tears as Brianna completed her last jump as an HEM senior,” Jones said. “Shelby will now look to be the mentor for future jumpers.”

Adding to the list of seniors, Jones said Amber Martin, Rylie Richardson, Chris Strauch, and Joe Griffith will also be quite missed by their teammates and coaches.  

“Each of those seniors brought personal attributes to the track team that pushed the younger Miners to excel,” she said. “Chris, Joe, and Amber will leave behind calming words of advice, and Rylie will provide inspiration for years to come. Rylie was hampered by a severely strained quadricep muscle in Casper, but he proved to himself and everyone on his team that it would not slow him down. He ran the second-fastest split on Thursday in the 4x800 relay, and provided a very inspirational talk to his team after completing his final athletic feat as an HEM miner.”

Jones said her pride in all of the participating athletes is beyond being measured after watching their performances. She is also excited for what next year’s track season may bring.

“Our young people are continually complimented on their efforts, their support of each other, and their exemplary behavior at all times,” Jones said. “State track is truly an event where I, as a coach of three sports, am able to see a year of work culminate. Clif and I always miss the time we are able to spend with athletes in the sport of track, and we feel the connection we make with these fine, young people is the real reason we coach. We are already looking forward to next year, and are certain with more hard work the returning athletes will continue to earn those elusive state medals.”