A chance to compete in the Craig Oldham Invitational on Tuesday at Johnston was all that the Ankeny Centennial girls’ track athletes could ask for.
“Just like last week, we weren’t sure we’d even get this meet in, so to get the whole thing run is a blessing in itself,” said Centennial coach Andrew Kruzich. “I thought our girls really did a nice job battling the elements. That was probably the windiest meet that I can remember as a Jaguar. But spirits were high.”
Centennial placed third in the eight-team field. The Jaguars scored 92 points.
Waukee Northwest easily won the team title with 147 points. Johnston was the runner-up with 99.
The meet gave Kruzich an opportunity to see more of his athletes on a competitive stage.
“It was great to get some of our soccer girls some races,” he said. “Elle Street, Averi Porter and Olivia Kroska haven’t run outdoors yet for us. We’re behind the eight-ball in terms of figuring out what we have. We’ve got a lot of depth, so it’s harder this year to figure out options. We probably have seven girls who could run the 4×100, even more the 4×200 and be competitive. Our 4×800 crew is very similar. So getting the spikes on and actually running is great.”
Kambria Leazer provided Centennial’s lone victory, winning the long jump with a leap of 16 feet 10.25 inches. She also placed second in the high jump at 5-2.
Kroska was the runner-up in the 400 hurdles. She posted a time of 1:14.00.
“We’re making progress in our hurdle events, even if the wind didn’t really let that show,” Kruzich said. “Jordy Jumper had a nice double for us, and Kylin Smith and Kroska are showing good promise.”
Rondi Quass placed second in the 3,000 in a time of 10:39.85. Bella Hodges was second in the 1,500 in 5:18.35.
“We had a nice mix of our experienced athletes who have been consistently good–like Rondi, Mariah Belzer and Maraye Breeding–with newer-to-varsity athletes who flashed today,” Kruzich said. “We’re asking a lot of some sophomores in several sprints, and we have to balance out our expectations for varsity girls with their overall experience levels. They’re coming along nicely. Addi Arringdale, Addie Pollock, Morgan Posusta, Lizzy Mahama, Crystal Opoku… they’re doing a nice job.”
Hodges also teamed up with Julia Flick, Tillie Smith and Cam Hershberger for a second-place finish in the 4×800 relay. The Jaguars were clocked in 10:12.43.
“The wind was in our faces on the home stretch, so it wasn’t a night for great times,” Kruzich said. “But we ran a really solid 4×100, and a pretty good 4×200 and 4×800 in tough conditions. That’s what we are right now…we’re a team who is going to have to keep showing up, executing, and chipping away at people. That’s a pretty fun third place against some good competition.”
Centennial was slated to compete in the Waukee Northwest Invitational on Thursday, but the meet has been cancelled. The Jaguars will return to competition on Saturday in the Jim Duncan Invitational at Drake Stadium.