VHS Track and Field
Alaska State Championship Meet
May 28-29
Courtesy of Becky Walker – The Bucs traveled to Anchorage for the Alaska Track and Field State Championships at Dimond High School. This season the Bucs have had to brave ice, snow, wind, rain, and hail, so competing in the sunshine was quite a change and certainly had its challenges. In typical Buc fashion, our team rallied and showed some impressive performances.
Momoe Togagae, Silver
We had three new school records from our team this weekend. Dennis Mott took 1st place in Discus with a stunning throw of 143’ 8”, beating his own record of 132’ 9”. Momoe Togagae also had an excellent showing in Discus with a mighty 101’ 02” throw, snagging her 2nd place honors and beating her own school record of 94’ 1”. The girls 4X100 team of Anika Palomar, Isabella Smelcer, Carlie VanBuskirk, and Izzy Kizer shaved a fraction of a second off their time, breaking their own school record with a time of 55.12 seconds and earning them a 3rd place medal.
Dillon Fowler had a breathtaking and impeccable run in the 110m Hurdles earning gold with a time of 16.75. In the 4X100 Tate Chadwick, A.J. Mann, Payton Gage, and Joshua Baczuk’s speed and flawless hand–offs earned them second place in a photo-finish, exciting race. Dennis Mott continue to demonstrate his throwing expertise with a 41’ 01” Shot Put earning him a silver medal. Freshman, Izzy Kizer, jumped a personal best in high jump also earning her a silver medal.
Josh Baczuk, 400 meter
Top finishers for the Bucs include:
- 1st place- Discus- Dennis Mott- 143’ 8” PR/School Record
- 1st place- 110 Hurdles- Dillon Fowler- 16.75143.09 PR
- 2nd place- 4X100- Tate Chadwick, A.J. Mann, Payton Gage, Joshua Baczuk
- 2nd place- Shot Put- Dennis Mott- 41’ 01”
- 2nd place- Discus- Momoe Togagae- 101’ 02” PR/ School Record
- 2nd place- High Jump- Izzy Kizer- 4’ 6” PR
- 3rd place- 400m- Joshua Baczuk- 53.74 PR
- 3rd place- 4X100- Anika Palomar, Isabella Smelcer, Carlie VanBuskirk, Izzy Kizer- 55.02- PR/School Record
- 3rd place- 4X200- Tate Chadwick, A.J. Mann, Nicolas Alfaro, Joshua Baczuk- 1.37:98
- 4th place- 300 Hurdles- Dillon Fowler- 45.43
- 4th place- Triple Jump- Anika Palomar- 31’ 7”
- 5th place- Long Jump- Izzy Kizer- 14’ 11.75”
I couldn’t be prouder of this group of athletes. They have seen their hard work, tenacity, and dedication, even working through the off-season, really pay off. I’ve also appreciated our seniors: Josh Baczuk, Tate Chadwick, Dennis Mott, Hunter Francis, Blake Morrison, Alyvia Askren, and Kat Taylor. Their leadership has had such a positive impact on our team and they will be sorely missed.
Dillon Fowler, Hurdles
2022 New School Records:
- 4X100: Anika Palomar, Isabella Smelcer, Carlie VanBuskirk, and Izzy Kizer- 55.02
- Shot Put: Alyvia Askren- 30’ 7.75”
- Discus: Momoe Togagae- 101’ 2”
- Long Jump: Izzy Kizer- 15’ 4.75”
- Triple Jump: Anika Palomar- 33’ 1.25”
- Shot Put: Dennis Mott- 41’ 4”
- Discus: Dennis Mott- 143’ 8”
Dennis Mott, First Place Flag/Discus