Coaches optimistic following results at state track meet
- Roger Sims, Journal Staff
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
By Roger Sims, Journal staff
A pulled hamstring and maybe a little nerves from competing at the Kansas State Championship Track and Field Meet on Friday and Saturday, May 29-30, left the three athletes from Prairie View with only one top-10 finish. However, the results in the Class 3A division at state as well as throughout the last few meets of the regular season have the coaches optimistic for next year.
“We are very pleased with how each of our state qualifiers have competed throughout this season and at the state track meet,” said head coach Kaitlin Jones in an email. “Reaching the state level is a tremendous accomplishment and our athletes represented our school and community with great effort, character, and determination.
“Each athlete worked hard to earn their opportunity to compete at the state level and we appreciate the support from our school and community throughout the year.”
Senior Parker Schwarz placed fifth in the preliminaries of the 100-meter dash with a time of 11.02, a time that would have given him a good shot at a medal to finish out his high school career.
But fate stepped in just past the midway point of the finals race. A pulled hamstring left Schwarz visibly hurt and he finished the race at the back of the pack with a time of 13.29. The winning time in the race was 10.68.
“Unfortunately, Parker did sustain an injury during the finals at state,” Jones said. “While it was disappointing to see his season end that way, we are proud of the resilience and competitiveness he showed through the season and throughout his time at Prairie View. We look forward to supporting him as he continues his athletic career at KU next year.”
Junior javelin thrower Carter Browning has been fairly consistent all season with throws in the 160-foot range. However, he stepped up at state and had a personal record throw of 171-1 feet for ninth place.
“Carter Browning ended his season with a new PR in Javelin and a ninth place finish at state and we look forward to seeing what next year could potentially bring for him,” Jones said.
Junior Laramie Stevens picked up the javelin midway through the spring season. She was better known as a distance runner through her high school career with consistently solid performances in both cross country and track. However, within a few short weeks she was adding 10 feet each week to her throws.
“Laramie Stevens finished her season with a new javelin school record of 130-1 thrown at the regional track meet in Fredonia,” Jones said. “She was able to accomplish that with only a short amount of practice time due to injury.”
Her top throw at state was 109-4, good for a 13th place finish. The gold medal throw was 138-11.
Joe Cullor, who coaches the javelin squad said the results of the two throwers plus increased participating in that field event bode well for the team.
"Carter did everything we could ask for at the state meet, 2 PRs and got a spot in the finals," Cullor said in an email. "He peaked at the right time, which is testament to all the extra work he has put in this season.
"Laramie had a great learning experience for her first time at javelin at the state meet. She has all the physical abilities, her consistency will increase with more reps.
"I’m really excited for the future of our javelin program at PVHS."
Comments