Bobcat tracksters finish strong at state

The Hot Springs County High School Track and Field Team finished their 2019 season with the state championships in Casper last week. The boys team was 13th with nine points, and the girls team was 15th with 21 points.

Coach Aimee Kay pointed out there were several students who made it onto the podium of the 17 who competed, as well as a number of personal records (PRs) including Kolby George's fifth place time of 4:45.08 in the 1600 meters, Blake Williams' height of 12' in the pole vault, the boys sprint medley relay team's sixth place time of 3:45.58 - Williams, Jesse Skelton, Wyatt McDermott and George comprise the team - and McKenna Bomengen's seventh place time of 2:27.48 in the 800 meters.

Olivia Weyer not only had a PR in the pole vault, but also tied for first and succeeded in breaking the school record a second time with a height of 10'6".

Additional results from state include:

Kolby George: 800 meters 12th, 2:09.87

Logan Cole: discus 13th, 118'3"; shot put 11th, 42'11"

The 4x400 team of George, McDermott, Williams and Jarron Mortimore placed seventh with 3:43.14. The sprint medley relay team of placed sixth with 3:45.58

McKenna Bomengen: 1600 meters fifth, 5:39.74; 3200 meters eighth, 12:37.44

Kaylee DeVries: 300 meter hurdles 17th, 55.66

Ashley McPhie: triple jump 12th, 31'3"

Olivia Weyer: pole vault second, 10'6" (PR)

Tahja Hunt: 1600 meters 14th, 6:04.97; 3200 meters ninth, 13:12.43

Julie Johnson: long jump sixth, 15'10.75"

Sesi Jensen: long jump 16th, 13'2.5"

The 4x800 team of Aspen Jensen, Hallie Weber, Aime Robinson and Dayna Crow placed sixth with 11:22.10.

Monday evening saw the awards banquet for the team. Among the recipients were Olivia Weyer, who received an All-State Award for her second place finish, McKenna Bomengen as the top point winner for the girls and Logan Cole as top point winner for the boys; Bomengen won 82 and Cole won 88.5. Ashley McPhie and Jesse Skelton were recognized for the most PRs for the season, McPhie with nine and Skelton with 13. All 17 students who made it to state were also letter winners.

Kay said the number of PRs for the season shows just how much the students grew this season. As the weather was more rain and cold than sunshine, she said, the students proved that they're tough.

Coming back next season, she noted, there is a strong group to step up and continue the progress they're making. She's hopeful to see them all come out next year, and some found their strengths and events near the end of the 2019 season and will make some different choices in 2020.

There was a lot of growth from the freshmen she's excited to see continue next season, and there are potentially nine returning seniors. Kay said with the right mindset those girls could be a "force to be reckoned with."

Overall, she expects numbers to go up for the team with only a couple seniors graduating and more incoming freshmen. Though summer's here, she's hopeful the tracksters can get to some camps, hit the weight room if possible and stay active and ready for next year.