Have you ever seen a track meet with the participants and coaches dressed as Santa and his elves, runners adorned with candy stripes carrying candy-cane batons in the relays? If not, you missed the First Annual Reindeer Games hosted by Polk Countys indoor track teams.
The “Games” at Polk County High Dec. 16, benefited Thermal Belt Outreach. The entry fees were canned food items or $5 which will help needy families this holiday season.
Polk track coach Alan Peoples says the team expected to raise a few hundred cans of food, but actually collected 843 cans and $51 cash.
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.
Results for the PCHS Wolverines: 55 Meter Hurdles – Kayce Martin 8.40. 55 Meter Dash – Cary Littlejohn 7.0, Jacob Christiansen 7.20, Trey Couch 7.20. 300 Meter Dash – Littlejohn 42.60, Tyler Hanson 44.70, Jake Johnson 45.90, Alex Schaub 47.00. 500 Meter Dash – Robby Franklin 1:17, Flynn Chapman 1:18, Josh Kujawa 1:25. 1000 Meter Run – John Spencer Wolfe 2:35, Diego Guitierrez 3:35, Carlos Chavez 3:43, Dakota Wolfe 3:59, Ross McGuinn 3:59. 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. 4×800 Meter Relay – 9:06 (1st). 4×100 Meter Relay – 51.30 (2nd), 4×200 Meter Relay – 1:41 (2nd). 4×400 – 3:51 (3rd). High Jump – Littlejohn 5-2, Martin 5-2. Pole Vault – Lieberman 13-0, Matt Brody 9-03. 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. 55 Meter Dash – Tori Madigan 8.10, Kara Garvin 8.70, Julia Collins 8.80, Jesse Umlauf 8.90, MacKenzie Twowell 9.40. 300 Meter Dash – Conner 47.70, Jamie Miller 52.60, Garvin 56.90, April Queen 1:04. 500 Meter Dash – Kelly Calvert 1:38. 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. 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. 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. 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, Hend. 48, E. Henderson 46, Patton 38, N. Buncombe 20, W. Henderson 19, T.C. Roberson 15, Robbinsville 7.
Team Rankings (Women): T.C. Roberson 117, N. Buncombe 60, Polk County 56, Madison 50.5, Tuscola 47, W. Henderson 41.5, Hend. 36, Asheville 27, E. Henderson 14, Patton 8.