Grizzly thinclads ready for postseason

Everything is in line for the regional and state track meets, Rocky Mountain track and field coach Tobee Christiansen said this week following Rocky’s competition in the final meet of the regular season Friday, the Bobcat Invitational in Thermopolis.
“We’ve got things pretty much set for who will be where,” Christiansen said. “The hay’s in the barn, so to speak. We just need to compete now.”
In running events for the Rocky boys, Coach C noted the effort of sophomore Will Watts, who placed 12th out of 59 runners in a time of 24.93 seconds.
“I thought Will Watts ran a good 200,” he said. “He’s battled some injury a little bit this year. His knee keeps swelling up.”
Freshman Sam Loyning finished 15th in the 400-meter dash, completing the lap in 58.44. Christiansen noted that he held out junior Hudson May when his hamstring was tight during warmups, wanting him to be ready for Regionals and State.
Junior Lafe Files ran a personal record in the 800 meters, finishing 13th in 2:17.99.
Christiansen said he was impressed with the effort from both of his top (metric) milers. Junior Cole Minchow ran a personal record time of 5:20.41 to finish 15th, and fellow junior Bryce Haslem finished 17th in 5:25.29, the first time he has run the 1,600 meters in high school.
“Cole ran a PR, and Bryce ran well in the mile,” Christiansen said. “Cole was gone a lot early in the season, so it’s taken a while to get to where he needs to be. We haven’t seen his best. He’s got a little more in him. Bryce didn’t do bad for his first go at it.”
Other Rocky Mountain boys results in Thermopolis were:
100m dash – William Fuller 42nd, 12.97; 200m dash – Landon Pruett 28th, 26.17, Fuller 39th, 26.78 (PR); 1,600 meters – Paul Shetler 23rd, 5:52.27, Noah Bisby 27th, 5:56.70;  long jump – Fuller 35th, 15-9¼, Paul Seratt 43rd, 13-4 (PR); high jump – Joaquin Scheeler tie-15th, 5-2; pole vault – Dalan Wambeke tie-17th, 9-0; shot put – Hayden Wambeke 29th, 35-4¼ (PR), Scheeler 34th, 34-¾, Kellan Jackson 49th, 31-3¾, Matthew Crosby 63rd, 26-8¼; discus – Jackson tie-47th, 90-2.
Girls results
The Lady Grizzlies also had some strong performances in Hot Springs County, most notably from senior MacKelle Moss, who placed in four events.
Moss placed third in the 400-meter dash in a personal record time of 1:01.17 and seventh in the 200-meter dash in 27.78, just off her personal record, with freshman Charlee Welling just off her PR in 29.31 (21st place).
Christiansen said Moss has been continuing to build strength and endurance in the 400.
“I was telling MacKelle that we’ve pushed the wall as far as we can (in the 400) for where she hits it,” Coach C said. “She’s gritting out the last little bit. In the 200 she’s right there (at her personal record).
“Charlee is getting stronger and stronger this season. She’s worked hard on that 200.”
The 400-meter relay team of Shelby Wambeke, Brittly Boettcher, Moss and Kaitey Christensen placed seventh in 53.25, about 36/100ths of a second off their school record.
“We’ve still got to clean up our handoffs. We’re still not where I want ‘em,” Christiansen said.
Moss also tied for sixth in the high jump, clearing 4-11, and Christensen cleared 4-9 to tie for ninth.
All three Rocky Mountain pole vaulters have qualified for State and were strong Friday. Tarynn Schoening cleared 7-6 to finish ninth, and Keylee Christiansen and Layla Gardner cleared 7 feet to tie for 10th place.
Senior Rylee Winland nearly placed in the shot put, finishing ninth with a throw of 32-3½.
Junior Elliahna Scheeler nearly placed in the discus, finishing 11th with a toss of 104-2.
“Elliahna has been consistent in the discus,” Christiansen said, “up over 100 feet.”
Other Rocky Mountain girls results in Thermopolis were:
100m dash – Brittly Boettcher 20th, 13.89, Shelby Wambeke 23rd, 14.07; 400-meter dash – Tarynn Schoening 18th, 1:10.62, Emma Sponsel 31st, 1:22.65, Ellie Alvarez 32nd, 1:27.87 (PR); 800 meters – Kaysie Cooley 19th, 2:56.24, Sponsel 26th, 3:13.86; 1,600 meters – Gwynff Bodtke 18th, 7:57.17; long jump – Kaitey Christensen 11th, 14-3½, Ella Pierce 29th, 12-4 (PR), Sponsel 35th, 11-¾, Evynn Alvarez 37th, 8-1; triple jump – Keylee Christiansen 24th, 28-9, Sponsel 34th, 25-4¼, Layla Gardner 35th, 24-11¼; high jump – Christiansen tie-19th, 4-3; shot put – Katelynne Herren 37th, 25-9½, Elliahna Scheeler 45th, 23-7½, Evynn Alvarez 66th, 13-1; discus – Rylee Winland 27th, 80-0, Herren tie-40th, 71-10.
Regional track
The Grizzlies will travel to Shoshoni this week for the 2A West Regional track and field meet. Competition begins Friday at noon with field events. Running events begin at 1:45 p.m. Saturday, field events start at 9 a.m., and running events follow at 10 a.m.