WHEATLAND – The Wheatland High School coaching staff amassed a group of athletes this year that far exceeded anything that was expected of them and they have continuously reset the bar in each competition they were in.
“This season was one for the record books,” said head track coach Matt Hazen. “We had 6 school records broken, some multiple times. We had highs and we had some lows, but nothing will change the experiences the athletes had and what the athletes learned on their journeys this year.”
The Bulldogs sent 14 athletes to state track this year and despite the three days of snow fall and cold weather, they still had 5 state champions and 8 first place finishes.
“Despite the success, when the season comes to a close, I am left wishing that we had more time, just one more meet, just one more day with the athletes on the track, just more time to build on the work that has taken place,” Hazen said. “But yet here we are at the end of a great season, for some it will be their last time competing in track. For others it is just the beginning of a new journey as they look forward to competing in college.
“It’s hard to describe how much I am going to miss this senior class, but I want to wish them all good luck and to always keep pushing forward. For next year’s returning athletes, I am excited to see what next year brings and I look forward to building on the many successes this season has brought.”
Lily Nichols took first in the 400-meter dash and 800-meter run, she was awarded all-state honors for both events. Desirae Iacovetto earned all-state honors with her second-place finish in the 100-meter dash, she had a final time of 12.78. The boys 4 x 100-meter relay team placed first at state track, the team consists of Hyannie Fausto, Kade Preuit, Jake Hicks and Rodee Brow. They were awarded all-state honors along with their new school record of 44.14 in the event. Brow took first place in the 100-meter dash and the 400-meter dash; he was awarded all-state honors in both of these events as well. His time in the 400-meter dash also broke his previous school record, with a new time of 49.22. Brow’s second place finish in pole vault earned him all-state honors as well.
Boys 100-meter Dash
Rodee Brow – 10.98 – first place (All-state)
Boys 200-meter Dash
Jake Hicks – 23.98 – eighth place
Kade Preuit – 24.51 – 11th place
Boys 400-meter Dash
Rodee Brow – 49.22 – first place (All-state)
Boys 300-meter Hurdles
Cole Goertz – 44.89 – 12th place
Boys 4x100 meter Relay
Hyannie Fausto, Kade Preuit, Jake Hicks, Rodee Brow – 44.14 – first place (All-state, new school record)
Boys HIgh Jump
Kade Preuit – 5’ – 10” – fifth place
Boys Long Jump
Kade Preuit – 20’ – 04.25” – fourth place
Bryce Stenson – 18’ – 01.5” – ninth place
Boys Triple Jump
Bryce Stenson – 37’ – 08” – 13th place
Jake Hicks – 37’ – 02” – 14th place
Boys Pole Vault
Rodee Brow – 14’ – 0” – second place (All-state)
Jake Hicks – 14’ – 0” – third place
Girls 100-meter Dash
Desirae Iacovetto – 12.78 – second Place (All-state)
Kayla Beaman – 13.68 – ninth place
Girls 200-meter Dash
Desirae Iacovetto – 26.83 – third place
Kayla Beaman – 26.97 – fifth place
Girls 400-meter Dash
Lily Nichols – 59.05 – first place (All-state)
Girls 800-meter Run
Lily Nichols – 2:19.29 – first place (All-state)
Girls 1600-meter Run
Lilly Nichols – 5:24.69 – seventh place
Girls Long Jump
Lily Nichols – 16’ – 05.5” – third place
Kayla Beaman – 13’ – 06.75” – 16th place
Girls Pole Vault
Mylie Benson – 9’ – 0” – fourth place
Kacey Otero – 8’ – 0” – 11th place
