Championships are a team effort, and Malcolm’s second consecutive district girls track title proved once again that every place and every race matters. The Clippers edged Palmyra by a single point at the May 14 C-1 District meet at Johnson County Central.
Malcolm had 15 scoring entries while qualifying in eight events for this week’s state championships at Burke High School in Omaha.
“Every single point is important,” Malcolm head coach Kip Arnold said. “Our athletes have seen the reward that comes from believing that.”
Mikiah Witzel and Marion Teten got the day started with qualifying marks in the field events. Witzel returns to state in both throws after winning the discus with a season-best toss of 130-7 and placing second in the shot put at 37-8.
“Mikiah is ready for state,” Arnold said. “She’s experienced, confident and capable of performing very well in both events.”
Teten also earned a district title, clearing 5-1 in the high jump to qualify for her second straight state meet.
“Marion was very close to the school record,” Arnold said. “She has a great passion for the event and is in a really good spot right now.”
Senior Samantha Back saved her best performances for last. She qualified for state in both hurdle events after posting PRs in each race, winning the 100 hurdles in 15.81 seconds and qualifying in the 300s with a third-place finish in 48.53.
The recent graduate may not get the opportunity to compete at Burke as she is scheduled to leave for military basic training this week.
“The plan is for her to ship out Tuesday,” Arnold said. “I’ve coached her for six years and she’s done everything we’ve asked. She truly left it all out on the track.”
Halle Dolliver will close her high school track career as a four-time state qualifier. The UNO basketball commit qualified in the 400 (1:01.27) and teamed with Payton Dolliver, Blair Duzik and Jordy Small for a qualifying spot in the 4x400 relay.
Payton Dolliver claimed district gold in the 800 with a season-best 2:24.04, while Duzik qualified in the 200 with a 26.21 finish.
On the boys’ side, Jake Walters qualified in both hurdles events after winning district titles in each race. The senior ran a PR of 15.09 in the 110 hurdles and posted a 41.24 in the 300s.
“Jake is incredibly consistent,” Arnold said. “This is his year, and I believe he’s going to do excellent at state.”
Sophomore Riley Hawke will make his state debut after qualifying in the 400 with a 51.27.
The Class C state meet is Friday and Saturday, May 22 and 23, at Omaha Burke Stadium.
