Competition level bumps up for Clipper track

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The wind makes it hard for everyone. The April 19 cross wind in Utica – one of the few east-west tracks in Nebraska – made for a miserable day of running, jumping and throwing as the Malcolm track team competed at the Centennial Invite.

The girls braved the elements and battled to a second-place team finish with 85 points. Centennial was first with 105. The Malcolm boys were third with 91 points, well behind first place Columbus Lakeview and its 131 points. Milford was second with 105.

“The wind was terrible,” Malcolm head coach Dustin Tobey said. “It’s not an excuse. Everyone had to deal with it. But, it was a rough day to compete.”

With the level of competition increasing a bit over previous meets, the gold medals were fewer than they had been in recent weeks. The girls turned in three first-place performances. Keira Farritor went 97-10 in discus to grab the top spot. Alyssa Fortik was third with a toss of 91-4.

“That event was kind of a mess,” Tobey said. “It’s better to throw a discus into the wind and that’s how they warmed up. Then, right before the competition started, they switched rings to throw with the wind. That got into the girls’ heads a little.

“But, Keira’s performance was solid. She’s really coming on. Her technique is improving. She’s got a lot of power.”

Addyson Hanson won her first individual gold this year as the sophomore broke the tape in the 800-meter run more than three seconds ahead of Brenna Bules from Minden.

“Addy has looked really good running this year,” Tobey said. “The 800 is her event and she has really figured out how to run it well.”

The Clippers’ other gold was in the 4x400-meter relay as the team of Rachel Lannin, Katie Lewis, Hanson and Lillie Beach finished eight seconds ahead of Minden.

Two Malcolm boys took the top spot in their events. Logan McGreer continues to impress as the freshman quarter-mile specialist edged out a senior Simon Janssen from Columbus Lakeview, with a time of 54.8 seconds in the 400-meter dash.

“Logan is a smooth runner,” Tobey said. “The ceiling for him is going to be really high. He’s off to a great start.”

Malcolm sophomore Nathan Swenson ran a personal best 55.6 seconds and grabbed a fourth place medal.

“Nathan has really figured out how to run the 400,” Tobey said. “He’s learning that he has more in the tank at the end than he realized.

“It’s good to have someone to push Logan. That helps them both.”

Drew Johnson earned the Clippers’ other gold as he cleared 5-10 in the high jump.

The competition continues for Malcolm this week as they travel to Columbus on Tuesday for the Lakeview Invitational before a Saturday visit to Palmyra for the East Central Nebraska Conference meet.

It will be the final ECNC meet for the Clippers who move to the Trailblazer Conference this fall.

“It would be nice to leave the conference as champions,” Tobey said. “We’re hoping for a good weather and a full, healthy team that day.”