Tigers take it up a notch

Encampment High School (EHS) boys’ and girls’ track teams competed in regionals in Lander on Friday and Saturday, setting the stage and raising expectations for their upcoming visit to state finals.

The girls’ team placed third of nine teams that competed, and the boys’ team placed sixth, also out of nine teams that competed. Several of the student athletes placed first in individual events, and many set new personal records according to the team’s coach Kegan Willford.

“I felt really good about the weekend and we had several kids who had their personal best,” Willford said. “Out of the 17 who participated this weekend, we are taking 16 to state that qualified.”

Cheyanne Jordan placed first in shot put making her the regional champion. Paige Powell took first in her triple jump and high jump. The girls’ relay team also came in first place on the 4x800 meter relay, with Cassidy Little, Micaiah Pantle, Ashlynn Johnson and McKenzie Powell completing the relay in 11:03:90.

The boys’ team placed well at regionals despite a slower start to the season, with Guy Erickson finishing second in discus and Wyatt Cox’s third place finish in shot put. The boys’ team also joined the girls’ team in the top tier with a second-place finish in the 4x800 meter relay, run by Spencer Knotwell, Cody Cor, Justin Shaw and Sean Stewart.

Looking forward to the state competition this weekend in Casper, Willford said the kinds of improvements he has seen the athletes make over the course of the season will, if they continue, allow the team to do well at state.

“We had several regional champions last week and I think there’s a lot of kids, if they perform like they did last weekend in those events, we could see some pretty high placements at state with those,” he said.

The team is looking forward to competing this weekend, but is taking things a bit easy in order to rest up for the upcoming competition, Willford said. The team had its first practice of state week on Monday, and even though was what he described as a “lot of excitement and intensity” leading into the weekend, they are also taking things easy so they can rest up for state competition.

“We had a great regional track meet, boys’ and girls’. I’m proud of all the kids and all the work they’ve put in. This is the time of year when they can start to shine, and hopefully all that hard work pays off,” Willford said.

The state final track meet will be held May 19-21 at Kelly Walsh High School in Casper.