Despite sudden heavy downpours and a constant drizzle of rain with 51 degree weather, the CFHS/Randolph boys’ and girls’ track teams gave it their all on Tuesday, May 23rd at the sub-section championships in Byron. Fortunately, both teams’ effort paid off with the girls getting runner-up behind Byron and the boys getting fourth place.

Both teams had been preparing for this meet since March, in order to qualify for the Sections Championships hosted by Plainview-Elgin-Millville on Tuesday, May 30th and Thursday, June 1st for section finalists. Athletes qualify by placing in the top 3 in this meet or by meeting the section 1A standard. The girls’ team maintained their 2nd place from last year, along with sending two relays and 10 individuals to sections. Their 4×800 meter relay got 3rd, sending seniors, Amanda Wulf and Annika Thomley, freshman, Kristy Allen, and 8th grader, Casey Vagts, to sections. Junior, Grace Hall, advanced in the 100 meter dash by placing 2nd. Freshman, Julia Jarvi, earned sub-section Champion in the 300 meter hurdles. Vagts made it again in the 3200 meter run by placing 3rd. Junior, Kaly Banks, made the section standard in triple jump as well as placing 2nd in high jump. The final female athletes to advance were in the 4×100 meter relay that placed 2nd. Runners were Hall, junior, Taylor Jerde, senior, Kaitlyn Snyder, and sophomore, Lindy Edstrom.

Being a middle schooler and one of three athletes to advance in two events, Casey Vagts felt very accomplished, “It feels pretty awesome; all my hard work has finally paid off.”

The boys’ team improved from last year by getting fourth place and advancing more athletes into the Section meet. This year, they are sending a relay and 4 individuals. The 4×800 meter relay placed third and met the Section standard. Runners were senior, Mason Grimes, junior, James Watson, sophomore, Nathan VanZuilen, and freshman, Chris Baszuro. Sophomore, Kendric Banks, jumped his way to Sections by placing third in high jump and meeting the Section standard. VanZuilen also made it individually in the 1600 meter run by placing 2nd. Grimes and Watson also made their way to Sections for two events by placing 2nd and 3rd.

Grimes commented on the team’s successful effort at this championship meet. “This year we did better than we had hoped at sub-sections. The boys’ team ran, jumped, and threw really well. What I liked about subs this year, is that even though we lost a bunch of good seniors last year and having a lot of freshman join this year, is that overall we placed well against tough schools.”

Even though the weather wasn’t great for achieving personal records, some found it to their benefit, even when it started downpouring for the last few races. The CFHS track teams will lose many great seniors this year, but some still have one more week to give it all they have left.