Saratoga Panthers happily roar at home meet

The Burt Willford Memorial Track Invitational had all of Carbon County School District No. 2 high school varsity teams in attendance.

The Panthers came in 1st place 11 times between the boys and girls teams.

Head coach Rex Hohnholt was pleased with how well the team performed given they were short members.

“Some kids were gone for the FFA and I thought our kids that were there did really well,” Hohnholt said. “I was tickled with their performances and I thought they did really well. It was fun to watch the high school kids compete, but good to watch the junior kids compete as well.”

Hohnholt enjoys this invitational for many reasons, especially because it honors Bill Willford.

“It is a great event for us honoring a wonderful teacher and coach from many years ago,” Hohnholt said. “It is special with our community getting together, parents and grandparents helping out with our track meet, it is kind of a community event.”

He had words of thanks to the community for their help.

“I want to thank all of the parents, staff and booster club for all their help in making our home track meet such a huge success,” Hohnholt said. “Without all of their help, events like this would not be possible. All are so much appreciated and they are the best. Thanks also to all the parents who brought goodies and food for all the workers. I think that is a big reason people want to help out. I know all the coaches and bus drivers from other schools appreciate it as well.”

Hohnholt said Saratoga athletes were appreciated.

“I want to thank all the athletes for not only your great performances this week, but for all your help during and after the meet as well,” Hohnholt said.

He was happy mother nature was fairly kind with the weather.

“We can’t complain about the day,” Hohnholt said. “It was a little windy but for the most part we had one of better days of all the years it has been held. Definitely better than shoveling snow before the meet.”

The Saratoga girls spring medley gave Hohnholt particular joy for the day when they beat the school record. They were the only team running, but running against the clock.

“We had a lot of highlights during our two track meets this Friday and Saturday, but one in particular was a new school record in the sprint medley set by a group of very hard working women Madison Teichman, Whitney Bennett, Rhiwan Williams and Josie Little,” Hohnholt said. ”Congratulations to all of you. Your consistency is starting to pay off and you will definitely continue to experience that success moving closer to the culminating meets of regional and state.”

The Shoshoni Invite Bennett did extremely well placing 1st in the 300 meter hurdles, the long jump, and the triple jump.

“Whitney always does well,” Hohnholt said. “She is a competitor. She hasn’t lost many events and that is competition that includes 3A and 4 A teams.”

At that invite, the lady Panthers dominated the 800 meter run with Teichman coming in 1st, R. Williams 2nd, and King 3rd. R. Williams came in 3rd in the high jump and Marilee Williams came in 2nd in the 3200 meter run.

The boys on Saturday had Kelton Johnson come in 1st in the 800 meter and Heston Fisher come in 3rd in the high jump,

Hohnholt saw improvement with many of his athletes in their events over the weekend.

“There were a lot of personal bests this weekend and we had a lot of athletes making improvements,” Hohnholt said. “That is what makes a team a success.”

The Panthers will be going to their next meet on Thursday.