Many high schools from across the region joined in Polk Countys first Reindeer Games on Wednesday and helped make a difference for people in need this holiday season.
The benefit track meet, an official meet in Polks indoor track season, drew 10 teams and numerous fans. Coaches dressed up in Christmas attire with Santa hats and elf outfits, and the runners even used candy cane sticks as batons in some races.
All of the athletes and spectators contributed cans of food or money, which will go to Thermal Belt Outreach for distribution to those in need. Polk County shot put coach Amanda Simoncic, who proposed the idea for the benefit track meet, said the donated cans of food filled more than a truck bed.
The Polk County boys track team finished second in the meet, 26 points behind Asheville. Other schools competing included East Henderson, West Henderson, T.C. Roberson, North Buncombe, Tuscola and Madison.
Several “unorthodox” events, like a 4×100 and 4×200 relay for field event competitors, and a shot put relay, helped spread joy of the season by giving athletes an opportunity to experience events they don’t normally compete in. &bsp;
Results for the PCHS Wolverines: &bsp;55 Meter Hurdles – Kayce Martin 8.40. &bsp;55 Meter Dash – Cary Littlejohn 7.0, Jacob Christiansen 7.20, Trey Couch 7.20. &bsp;300 Meter Dash – Littlejohn 42.60, Tyler Hanson 44.70, Jake Johnson 45.90, Alex Schaub 47.00. &bsp;500 Meter Dash – Robby Franklin 1:17, Flynn Chapman 1:18, Josh Kujawa 1:25. &bsp;1000 Meter Run – John Spencer Wolfe 2:35, Diego Guitierrez 3:35, Carlos Chavez 3:43, Dakota Wolfe 3:59, Ross McGuinn 3:59. &bsp;1600 Meter Run – Cabell Brand 5:29, Ricky Mozqueda 5:31, Schaub 5:44, Christian Fahnley 5:55, Eric Lauer 6:02, Kyle Whitson 6:16, Dylan Walker 6:30. &bsp;4×800 Meter Relay – 9:06 (1st). &bsp;4×100 Meter Relay – 51.30 (2nd), 4×200 Meter Relay – 1:41 (2nd). &bsp;4×400 – 3:51 (3rd). &bsp;High Jump – Littlejohn 5-2, Martin 5-2. Pole Vault – Lieberman 13-0, Matt Brody 9-03. &bsp;Triple Jump – Ethan Rhodes 40-8.5, Shot Put Relay – Tanner Ramsey 44-9, Seth McCool 40-9.5, Tori Riddle 39-11, Conner Magin 24-10.
For the Lady Wolverines: 55 Meter Hurdles – Maggie Conner 10.00. &bsp;55 Meter Dash – Tori Madigan 8.10, Kara Garvin 8.70, Julia Collins 8.80, Jesse Umlauf 8.90, MacKenzie Twowell 9.40. &bsp;300 Meter Dash – Conner 47.70, &bsp;Jamie Miller 52.60, Garvin 56.90, April Queen 1:04. &bsp;500 Meter Dash – Kelly Calvert 1:38. &bsp;1000 Meter Run – Rebecca Elliott 3:46, Selma Neel 4:10, Allesandra Akers 4:13, Bronwyn Pellatt 4:27, Anna Costine 4:27.20, Isla Neel 4:34, Marshall Channing 4:44. &bsp;1600 Meter Run – Kari Malkki 6:08, Cabot Lee Petoia 6:27. 4×800 Meter Relay – 11:28 (4th). 4×100 Meter Relay – 1:02 (3rd). 4×200 Meter Relay – 2:10 (5th). 4×400 Meter Relay 5:00 (7th). High Jump – Conner 4-8. &bsp;Pole Vault – Amanda DeFisher 8-6, Savanna Mitchell 8-0, Skyelar DeFisher 7-0. Long Jump – Miller 13-1, Collins 12-2.5, Jessica Pullara 11-7, Trowell 10-0. Triple Jump – Miller 26-1.5. &bsp;Shot Put Relay – Porsha Staley 25-2, Alicia Lockhart 22-5, Cassie Silvers 17-9, Chelsea Kelly 17-1.5.
Team Rankings (Men): Asheville 109, Polk County 83, Tuscola 50, Hendersonville 48, East Henderson 46, Patton 38, North Buncombe 20, West Henderson 19, T.C. Roberson 15, Robbinsville 7.
Team Rankings (Women): T.C. Roberson 117, North Buncombe 60, Polk County 56, Madison 50.5, Tuscola 47, West Henderson 41.5, Hendersonville 36, Asheville 27, East Henderson 14, Patton 8.
Prior to the Reindeer Games the Polk County indoor track teams competed at the Liberty University Elite Meet on December 12.

Athletes had to meet qualifying standards to attend. Competing for the Wolverines: Tanner Ramsey threw 42’10” in Shot Put. Andy Conner jumped 18’10.5″ in Long Jump, Cary Littlejohn jumped 5’4″ in High Jump, Kayce Martin ran 8.59 in 55 Meter Hurdles, Jacob Christiansen ran 6.99 in 55 Meter Dash, John Spencer Wolfe ran 4:35 in 1600 Meter Run, Wolfe 2:38, Ari Farstad 2:53, Cabell Brand 3:04 in 1000 Meter Run, Wolfe, Conner, Farstad, Littlejohn ran 3:58 in the 4×400 Meter Relay.
For the Lady Wolverines: Maggie Conner jumped 4’10” in High Jump, Amanda DeFisher vaulted 8’6″ in Pole Vault, Conner ran 9.96 in 55 Meter Hurdles, Rebecca Elliott ran 3:36 in the 1000 Meter Run.