Grizzlies post outstanding marks in Lovell

The Rocky Mountain High School track and field team made the short trip to Lovell last week and turned in several strong performances at the Lovell Invitational against a large field of regional competition. Competing in near-perfect spring weather, the Grizzlies posted personal records, pre-qualifying marks and numerous top-10 finishes as the postseason approaches.

The meet featured athletes from Big Horn High School, Burlington High School, Cody, Greybull, Lovell, Meeteetse, Powell, Riverside and Rocky Mountain.

For the girls, Sawyer Bassett led the way with a pair of strong finishes. Bassett placed second in the triple jump with a leap of 33-3.5 and also took sixth in the long jump at 15-2, missing a state pre-qualifying mark by just an inch in her first-ever long jump competition.

Pole vaulters Layla Gardner and Keylee Christiansen also had standout performances. Gardner cleared 7-6 to place second, while Christiansen finished fourth after clearing 7 feet.

Bailey Gifford contributed in multiple events, highlighted by a seventh-place finish in the 400 meters with a time of 1:11.82. Leah Haslem added another top-10 finish for the Grizzlies, placing ninth in the 1,600 meters in 6:22.40.

Rocky Mountain jumping coach Colton Hodge said the team’s jumpers continue to improve at the right time of the season.

“Sawyer and Avery Walker easily pre-qualified in the triple jump,” Hodge said. “If either can pull out their 34-footers like they do in practice, they might have a shot at the state title -- certainly second or third place.”

Hodge also praised the development of the team’s long jumpers.

“In the long jump, Avery consistently jumps in the 16-foot range in practice, but not yet in a meet,” he said. “Sawyer was one inch off pre-qualifying in Lovell on her first ever long jump. Both will likely podium at state. Bailey needs a 15-foot jump for a state spot, which she is capable of.”

For the boys, Mason Moss continued his strong season with two fourth-place finishes. Moss ran 16.11 in the 110-meter hurdles and cleared 5-9 in the high jump. He also posted an 11.85 in the 100 meters.

Hodge believes Moss has the ability to become one of the top high jumpers in Class 2A.

“Mason pre-qualified in high jump, and he will likely place at State,” Hodge said. “He is easily capable of school record territory, but we are grappling with his technique after a two-year hiatus from the event. If he can pull something out of the hat in the next two meets, I could see him winning the 2A state high jump based on current seeds.”

Cooper Ward added another top finish for Rocky Mountain with a fourth-place leap of 18-10 in the long jump. Zach Unruh placed sixth in the 400 meters in 59.29, while freshman Rowan Hanusa cleared 9 feet in the pole vault to finish ninth overall.

Vault coach Aric Hanusa said the Rocky Mountain vaulters continue to show strong postseason potential.

“The RMHS girls vaulters of Layla Gardner and Keylee Christiansen have easily pre-qualified for the state meet and should place high at Regionals,” Hanusa said. “Freshman Rowan Hanusa is vaulting well every week and should have a good chance of placing at the regional meet.”

In the throwing events, Rocky Mountain athletes continued to show improvement and consistency. Cooper Winland placed ninth in the shot put with a personal-record throw of 42-4.5. Kellan Jackson posted personal records in both the shot put and discus, including a 121-5 throw in the discus to place sixth overall. John Mader also cracked the top 10 in the discus with a throw of 117-8, good for ninth place.

Throwing coach Pat Winland said the Grizzlies are beginning to peak at the right point in the season.

“Our throwers are peaking and staying consistent with their throws,” Winland said. “Cooper Winland got a PR in the shot with a 42-4.5, and Kellan threw PRs in both shot put and discus.”

Winland also believes Ward is closing in on a state qualifying mark in the long jump.

“Cooper will likely need a 20-foot long jump for a state spot at regionals,” Winland said. “I think he’s capable; he’s only 10 inches off the mark at this point.”

With regionals approaching, the Grizzlies continue to build momentum across nearly every event group and appear to be peaking at the right time of the season.

Rocky Mountain will travel to Hot Springs County High School in Thermopolis on Friday for the final meet of the regular season. Competition begins at 10 a.m.