Youngsters ready to run

LVN-CC Communications Junior High Invitational Track Meet set for Thursday.

Future high school track athletes will show their abilities on Thursday as Churchill County Junior High School conducts its annual invitational track meet.

The meet, sponsored by the Lahontan Valley News and CC Communications, begins at 9 a.m. Admission is free.

About 900 young athletes from nine Northern Nevada junior high or middle schools are expected to compete, according to CCJHS Athletic Director Brian McAlexander.

Participating schools are Yerington Intermediate, Dayton intermediate, Fernley Intermediate, Silver Stage Intermediate, Winnemucca Junior High, Virginia City Middle, Hawthorne Middle, Smith Valley and CCJHS.

“We’re really looking forward to this meet at the high school,” McAlexander said. “It’s a beautiful facility. The kids are excited and it gives our town a chance to show off what a great facility we have. All the schools get together and interact with each other and it’s a good time for all.”

McAlexander said Fallon will have about 110 athletes participating, and Dayton will be bringing about 130 participants. He said that while most of the athletes will be seventh or eighth graders, there will be a few sixth graders who attend middle schools.

Events are the 100, 200 and 400 meter dashes, 100 hurdles, 800 and 1600 runs, 4x100, 4x200 and 4x400 relays, long jump, high jump and triple jump, shot put and discus.

McAlexander also said participation is limited to each schools’ top four athletes in each event, and athletes are limited to four events. Medals will be awarded to first through third place finishers, and ribbons awarded to fourth through sixth place.

McAlexander said the meet is held during the week so that more students can participate.

“During the week its kind of difficult for parents to come and watch,” McAlexander said. “But it also means the kids don’t have to choose between baseball and track. They’re getting an opportunity to do both. That’s one reason why we have them during the week.”

McAlexander coaches the eighth grade boys’ team and is looking for a strong showing from Dylan Tedford in the high and triple jumps.

“He set a couple of records in those events last year,” McAlexander said.

McAlexander is also looking for good showings from Tanner Boone in the mile and 800 meters; Tyson Ernst in the long jump, 100 dash and 100 hurdles; and Xavier Piper in the triple jump and 4x100 relay.

Seventh grade boys’ coach Darryl Irwin is looking for top performances from Wyatt Tuni in the high jump, long jump and 4x400; Trent Tarner in the shot put, 100 dash and 4x100; and Kevin Rutledge in the sprints.

“It will be fun. I’ve got some really good kids who are really athletic,” Irwin said.

Eight grade girls’ coach Kendyl Warren-Robinson foresees good outings from Kyonna Caillouette in the sprints; Kylie McFarlane in the hurdles; Cady Cordes in the discus, triple jump, high jump and 4x400; and Brianna Bailey in the triple jump.

“Caillouette is doing really well, and Cordes is jumping well,” Warren-Robinson said. “Bailey is doing well, and McFarlane is great on the hurdles. We have a lot of pretty strong runners and jumpers, and the throwing events are doing fine, too.”

Seventh grade girls’ coach Warren Wood said his athletes are still learning, but he thinks they will do well.

“We did a good showing in Hawthorne and I think we’ll have another good showing on Thursday also,” Wood said.

Wood tabbed sprinters Liz Archuleta and Elena Murray as two of his top performers.