Members of the Sweet Home Junior High track and field team are, in front, from left, Kristen Adams, Katelyn Glover, Kobe Galster, Sarah Dunkley, Austin Haskett, Kyler King, Iassic Justham, Julian Hesberg, Dana Hiett, Winter Jackson, Natasha Rasmussen, Phoebe Olsen and Rebecca Wooley. In the second row, from left, are Josie Knight, Adam Barber, Sierra Swanson, Brenner Roberts, Karson Rodgers, Caden King, Mikkela Weld, Dillon Stutzman, Makenna Ashton, Amber Doles, Isabel Morgan, Keisha Goble and Rebecca Huffman. In the third row, from left, are Garrett Fox, Spenser Spencer, Nick Rodgers, Sierrah Owens, Natasha Benson, Ann Marie Logan, Dakota Garcia, Nick Rietz, Elise Holden, Joseph Rasmussen, Jakob Hiett, Kyler Gaskey and Shawn Worthen. In the fourth row, from left, are Alonzo Perez, Alec Rice, Shelby Dinsfriend, Eric Flierl, Jessica Stockman, Karlee Long, Lola Wingo, Alex Olin, Gabe Redick, Kira Long, Kristin Pitts, Chase Hendricksen, Kyle Frederick, Megan Espinoza and Aaliyah Ruggiero. In the rear, from left, are Matt Davis, Kyle Thomas, Coach Steve Olin, Coach Helen Cannon, Coach Jake Comstock, Head Coach Lela Danforth, Coach Michelle Knight, Coach Teena Collman, Coach Diann Rasmussen, Coach Marty Steinbock, Coach Bob Combs, India Porter and Tanner Goble.
Adverse weather had a severe impact on the Sweet Home Junior High track and field team’s season this year, but the Tigers still managed some outstanding performances, Coach Lela Danforth said.
“It was a tough, wet season,” she said, noting that the team only had a couple of dry days for practice and one and a half meets when it was not raining. “It was kind of a short season anyway and the weather did not cooperate for a lot of the skills (events) training. We had a lot of hurt kids and sick kids from the weather.
Still, seventh-grader Josie Knight tied Maria Kropf’s school record in the 100, running a hand-timed 12.82, and sixth-grader Dillon Stutzman tied the high jump record with a leap of 4-4. Eighth-grader Jakob Hiett was jumping 5-7 in practice, but only cleared 5-6 in meets, so did not break that record in the final meet, which was cut short by storms halfway through.
“Had the weather been better, I think Dillon and Jakob would both have set records,” Danforth said.
She said the eighth-grade boys 4×100 relay team of Kyle Gaskey, Hiett, Eric Flierl and Brenner Roberts might have broken that record if Roberts’ had not injured his shoulder midway through the season.
“The high school is going to have some talent coming up on the boys side,” she said.
Danforth said she got a lot of help from a lot of assistants, who made the program better.
She said youngsters who want to work on their strength and speed for fall sports are welcome to participate in the summer track club through the end of July, from 9 to 11 a.m. and from 5:30 to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday.
“I’m trying to make it possible for kids and adults who can’t make it in the morning to be able to come in the evening,” Danforth said.
Cost is $25, which includes a T-shirt. Participation in some meets may require membership in USA Track and Field, which costs extra.
For more information, contact Danforth at (541) 401-9722.