5-20-10 District Track

Hank Burton just barely cleared 12’3” in the pole vault, but it was enough to insure he would be competing at the state tournament as the District VI Champion.

18 qualify for State Track Championships

by Richard Uhlhorn

It was cool to cold at the District VI Track Championships on Friday, May 21, but it didn’t stop Chelan’s track and field athletes from qualifying for the upcoming State Track and Field Championships in Cheney this coming weekend. In an event that only the two finishers in each event qualify to continue, this year's District VI Track and Field Championships were extremely conpetitive.

One of the first qualifiers of the day was Mat Pittsinger in the shotput. Those throwing to get into the finals were heaving the shot about 40 feet. Pittsinger got a challenge by Okanogan’s Cole Timm who threw the shot 42’ 2”. Everyone watching gave a huge shout for Timm as Pittsinger stood in the box and prepared to throw, and throw he did. His put of 44’4” was the winner for the day and gave Chelan its first state qualifier for the day. After the win, Mat said, “My mom has watched everyone of my personal bests this year.” Pittsinger also qualified in the discus with a throw of 126’9”.

Hank Burton waited until the vaulting pole was at 11 feet before beginning his run for a first place finish. He eventually cleared 12’3” to win the District VI Championship, but his three attempts at 12’6” failed.

On the girls side of the field events, it was Sara Waszkewitz and Darcy Austin qualifying for the state tournament with throws of 121’7” and 121’2”.

In the 100 meter dash, Matt Peterson and Darcy Austin both qualified for that event with Matt running to a second place finish in 11.93 seconds and Austin placing second in 13.11 seconds. In the 200 meter dash, it was Madi Knaub placing second in 26.90 seconds. Gabriela Guillen qualified for the 800 meter run in 2:29.37 in second place.

As the evening wore on, it got colder and colder, but despite the cold, the boys and girls relay teams went to work with the boys team of Robin Weathersby, Matt Peterson, Aaron McQuaid and Michael Amsel Jr. winning the 4X100 in 45:24.

On the girls side, the relay team of Jaicee Harris, Cody Knaub, Maddie Knaub and Darcy Austin won both 4X100 relay in a time of 51:40 and the 4X200 meter relay with a time of 1:49.57.

Maddie Knaub finished a close second in the 200 meter dash to qualify for the State Tournament in that event.

For times and distances of all athletes competing in the District VI Track and Field Championships, go to:   http://www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/MeetResults.aspx?Meet=92046#383