Milford senior Sarah Spahr finished her high school career as one of the most decorated high jumpers in the state, regardless of class, Coach Cody Gregory said.
Spahr finished no lower than fourth at state during her career, placing fourth in Class B as a freshman, runner-up in Class B as a sophomore, champion in Class C as a junior and runner-up in Class B as a senior.
“She was very confident going into competition, even against Sidney’s Karsyn Leeling, who has the number one jump in the country, let alone the state,” Gregory said. “Sarah cleared 5-5 with fewer misses than Omaha Skutt’s Addison West to clinch sole possession of second place. It was fun to overhear the other high jump coaches talk about how intimidating Sarah is when she warms up and when she competes. Coaches across the state definitely know who Sarah is.”
Isaac Roth had the busiest state track meet of the four MHS qualifiers. He started the competition in the 110-meter hurdles, but had to wait through a lightning delay May 15 before taking the track. After a great start, he was leading at the fourth hurdle, Gregory said. He made the finals with a prelim time of 15.22 seconds.
After another weather delay, this one about 90 minutes, Roth was back on the track for the 400-meter dash.
“Isaac didn’t really seem to feel comfortable in this race,” Gregory said.
The Nebraska School Activities Association changed the format for the 400 to a finals-only race against time. Roth finished in 51.75 seconds.
Roth ran the finals of the 110-meter hurdles May 16 and finished seventh in 15.65 seconds. Gregory said he didn’t have the same start he had in the prelims, and a competitor hit a hurdle that threw him off his stride.
In the 300-meter hurdles, Roth came in with the third-fastest time out of districts and had run the fastest time in Class B earlier in the season.
“Just like in the 110 hurdles, there were a lot of very experienced and motivated juniors and seniors in the race,” Gregory said.
Roth got off to a fast start but struggled with technique on the first couple hurdles. He was gaining on the leaders but then caught a hurdle and fell. He finished the race in 46.26 seconds.
“Had Isaac not fallen, he most assuredly would have placed in the top three with a new season PR,” Gregory said.
Avery Carter competed in the 800-meter run May 16 and finished in 2:03.26. Gregory said his plan was to stay wide to avoid getting boxed in, but he was too cautious and let the other runners pass him.
“I think Avery would tell you that he would like to have that race back,” Gregory said.
Carter is a sophomore, and this experience will be good in the future, the coach said.
Karlee Kuklis threw 111-0 in the discus to set a new personal best mark, the only thrower to set a PR, Gregory said.
