Track & Field
Courtesy of VHS Coaches – This weekend 29 athletes attended the Palmer Invitational track meet. For our team it was essentially their first track meet in which they got compete in the actual events they hope to specialize in this short season. In typical Alaska fashion, we drove through a snowstorm to get sunburned in a hot, sunny meet, then drenched in a torrential hailstorm and freezing rain, losing electrical power and stalling the meet, only to once again be warmed by a beautiful sunny evening. Our team and individual results followed the same pattern with incredible performances punctuated by first meet jitters and mistakes, but ultimately content with a great meet shared with friends and teammates.
Some performances include the following:
Boys:
- 100 meter race: Personal records set by Tate Chadwick, Hunter Francis, Griffin
Hastings, Jace Wadsworth, and Joshua Duong - 200 meter race: Personal records set by AJ Mann, Andrew Baczuk, Griffin, Jace, and Joshua
- 400 meter race: Josh finished 5th in this event, setting a personal record and
3 rd fastest time in the state this year in 3A competition with a time of 54:51. Personal records set by Griffin, Jace, and Joshua - 800 meter race: Personal records set by Barrett McCumby, Rafe Caruthers, Cole
Wadsworth, and Romen Weber - 3200 meter race: Personal records set by Rafe, Blake Morrison, Cole, and Romen
- 110 Hurdles: Dillon Fowler finished 4 th in this event, setting a personal record and 4th fastest time in the state this year in 3A competition with a time of 17.65. Allen Watson set a personal record as well.
- 300 Hurdles: Dillon finished 5 th in this event, setting a personal record and 3 rd fastest time in the state this year in 3A competition with a time of 45:89. Allen set a personal record as well.
- Shotput: Personal records set by Gabe Brewi, Tim Schantz, and William Crater.
Dennis Mott recorded the furthest throw in the state in 3A competition this year with a distance of 39’4 ½ “ - Discus: Personal records set by Hunter Francis, Chase Bowden, and Will. Dennis set a personal record, school record, and the 3 rd furthest throw in the state in 3A competition this year with a throw of 129’10’.
- Long Jump: Personal records set by Nick Alfaro and Andrew Baczuk. Josh Baczuk
finished 2nd in this event, and recorded the 3 rd furthest distance in the state in 3A competition this year with a jump of 18’9” - Triple Jump: Nick Alfaro finished 5th in this event, set a personal record, and recorded the 3 rd furthest distance in the state in 3A competition with a jump of 38’ 5 ½ “
- High Jump: Tate tied for 6th in this event and set a personal record with a height of 5’4”. In 3A competition this year, only 5 individuals have recorded higher jumps.
- 4×100 Relay: Tate, Andrew, Jason Smilie, and Josh finished 5th recording the 2nd best time in the state in 3A competition this year with a time of 47.63
- 4×200 Relay: Tate, AJ, Nick, and Josh finished 3 rd in this event, recording the best time in the state in 3A competition this year with a time of 1:38.6
- 4×400 Relay: AJ, Barrett, Nick, and Jason finished 7th with a time of 4:00.23
- 4×800 Relay: Barrett, Romen, Rafe, and Jason finished 6th , and recorded the 3rd best time in the state in 3A competition with a time of 9:51.14
Girls:
- 100 Meters: Personal records set by Izzy Kizer, Anika Palomar, and Carlie VanBuskirk. Izzy finished 5th in this event, and recorded the 8 th fastest time in the state in 3A competition with at time of 13.96
- 200 Meters: Personal records set by Izzy and Carlie
- Shotput: Personal record set by Marcedes Taylor
- Long Jump: Personal records set by Anika and Isabella
- 4×100 Meter Relay: Anika, Isabella Smelcer, Carlie, and Izzy placed 7 th in this event and set the 5th best time in the state in 3A competition this year with a time of 56:19
We look forward to competing this week in Fairbanks. It will be our last meet to prepare for the state-qualifying Region Championships in two weeks.
Music
In Anchorage this weekend five VHS students performed solos live for judges at the State Solo and Ensemble Festival. This is the first time this festival has been held live since 2019. Four students competed at this festival for the first time. All five students performed admirably and judges recognized their preparation and enthusiasm in performing.
-Mrs. Amanda Jones
Valdez High School Music Director