Broncos first, second at conference meet

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The Centennial girls’ track team brought home the Southern Nebraska Conference title for the first time since 2006 and its third in program history. The first win was in 1982. The boys' team was the conference meet runner-up.

The meet was contested over two days because of cold, windy conditions April 27. The field events, except the pole vault, were finished Saturday. Running events and the pole vault were done April 29.

“Having the meet spread out helped some of our girls like Lilly Cast spread out her events over the two days,” Coach Rob Johansen said. “It did not help Daylee Dey as she had all races in the last four of six events.  Not a real good choice as a coach to try and have a athlete do that many in a short time, but it worked out for us.”

Dey won the 1,600-meter run and anchored both the 400 and 1,600 meter relays to third and second place finishes. Kate Hirschfeld took the top spot in the triple jump.

“We took some chances and stretched some of our kids to get some points. Fortunately, we  had a lot of things fall into place and go right for us in the meet,” Johansen said. 

Cast came down to the final attempt in the long jump having fouled on her first two attempts, and she came through, jumping an all-time best 16-11 to win.  Aurora Junge threw a PR in the shot put and got fourth at 34-7.

The boys’ team finished as runner-up for the second year in a row. The throws helped out — placing three in the discus and two in the shot put. Quinn Butzke won the shot put at 44-1 and was second in the discus at 130-9 on the cold windy Saturday field event day.

Max Tomes had his best day(s) jumping a PR 20-3.25 in the long jump for second, second in the 100-meter dash at 11.71 seconds, third in the 200 in 23.84 and anchored the 400-meter relay to third place.

Jack Hirshfeld stepped up and took on the 1,600-meter run and ran a good strategic race to win it in 4:54.71.

“Like the girls, we tried to stretch some more points and events out of the kids and most of them paid off,” Johansen said. “Just did not have enough depth to take over Wilber-Clatonia.”

The Heartland Quad April 23 served well as a tune-up meet for Saturday's SNC meet for the Broncos, Johansen said.

“We limited some of our kids to just a few events to save some legs for Saturday, while others got opportunities to compete in events that they had not had the chance,” he said.

Chris Medow ran his best ever open 400 in 53.86.

“That run stood out from the other events of the day on the boys’ side. Chris works hard in practices and has really opened up and has a lot of confidence each time he steps to the starting line,” Johansen said.

“Our girls throwers swept places 1-5 in the shot put and 1-4 in the discus.  We have so many girls with throws near the same distances that it has been tough for some to get into a meet. Hattie Schoepf won the shot put on her final throw edging out teammate Aurora Junge by one-half inch. Both threw a season best throw.”

The Broncos are scheduled to compete at Fillmore Central May 2. Districts will be in Utica Thursday, May 9.