By Pat Dailey (For OzarkSportsZone.com)
POINT LOOKOUT — A strong finish pushed Thomas Jefferson’s Kip Atteberry to a fulfilling victory in the 1,600 at the Class 1 Sectional 4 Meet on Saturday.
Atteberry’s time of 4:39.48 edged Marion County Early’s Gavin Duchscherer and his 4:40.26. A year ago at Sectionals, Duchscherer beat Atteberry.
“I remembered him, absolutely,” Atteberry said. “He beat me over the last 120-130 meters last year. He’s got a really good kick and has beaten me several times with it. I had him on the back of my mind today.
“This makes me feel like all the work I’ve put in has paid off,” he added. “I set a goal to try my best to win. Accomplishing your goal feels good.”
Atteberry led from start to finish.
“My mindset was to build a lead early and the first two laps went great,” he said. “But because of the people behind me, I really went hard as soon as the bell rang (for the final lap). I tried to kick it in even faster for the final 200.”
Atteberry’s winning kick allowed him to avoid all the commotion behind him. A group of four runners in positions second through fifth were side by side nearing the finish and got their arms and legs tangled. Two of them fell to the track.
“I heard them,” Atteberry said. “I started to really book it at the end because I knew they were close.”
Atteberry went on to also win the 3,200 (10:33).
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House carrying on Chadwick tradition
Chadwick freshman Gretchen House appears to be picking up where former Cardinals star Evan Smith left off.
House won the 1,600 (5:45) and 3,200 (12:53).
Smith, a 2019 Chadwick grad, was a three-time state champion in the 1,600 and 3,200 during his Cardinals career.
“I kind of look up to him,” House said. “He’s incredibly nice and did big things for our school. I hope to do what he did.”
Chadwick also received a first from Chloe Burkhart, who won the shot put with a heave of 33-111/4.
All nine of the Cardinals’ and Lady Cardinals’ Sectional participants qualified for state.
Torres, Smith stand out as multiple winners
Greenfield’s Trista Torres added seven inches to her PR by leaping 16-93/4 and winning the long jump. Torres also won the 100 (12.76) and 200 (27.0).
Jasper freshman Crystal Smith won the 100 hurdles (16.1), 300 hurdles (50.43) and high jump (4-11).
Marion County’s Zachery Ellis took first in the 200 (23.9) and 400 (52.55) and was second in the 100 (11.86).
College Heights’ boys won the 4 x 100 relay (45.83), 4 x 200 relay (1:35) and 4 x 400 relay (3:38).
Lakeland’s Garrett Strange swept the discus with a 148-9 and the javelin with a 168-0. He won the javelin by 21 feet.
Lakeland’s Logan Crowder was first in the long jump with a leap of 20-3. He was seeded third.
Greenwood’s Gage Smart was victorious in the shot put with a throw of 46-51/2.
Galena’s Bradyen Sartin won the high jump with a leap of 6-03/4. He had fewer misses than runner-up Clayton Garrison, of Chadwick, who also cleared 6-03/4.
Jasper’s Juan Rivera beat the pole vault field by a full foot, as he cleared 11-113/4.
Weableau’s Grayce Hostettler took first in the discus with a toss of 90-6. She entered the day seeded fourth.
Greenfield’s Marlie Wright won the triple jump with a 32-93/4.
