Boys Win, Girls Third at Calhoun; Lemmers Sets Record (4-27-10)

The Louisville High School track and field teams came up with their highest finishes of the year as the Lion boys squad placed first and the girls team ended in third at the Fort Calhoun Invitational.

Dallas Lemmers led the Lions, bringing home four gold medals, including one for a record-setting performance in the 3200 meters.

Lemmers’ time of 9:59.2 not only established a new school mark, breaking Chris Briggs’ time of 10:01 set in 1986, it put the senior standout atop the leader board for all Class C runners in the state. Gordon-Rushville’s Cole Wellnitz had the top 3200 time of 10:17.2 in the recently released compilation by the Omaha World-Herald before Lemmers had his special day at Fort Calhoun.

Dallas followed with a first place showing in the 1600 meters as well as teaming with Daniel Studey, Colton Dean and Paul Drelicharz to win the 4x800 in a time of 8:35.25. Lemmers and Dean then joined Ryan Burnison and Avery Hopkins to take gold in the 4x400 in 3:39.3.

Three other seniors had quality days as the Lions needed every point to nip the host Pioneers in the team standings 111-107. Daniel Studey, in his first venture in the open 800, placed first at Calhoun, cruising to a victory in 2:07.8. The distance standout also placed second in the 3200 and fourth in the 1600. Avery Hopkins placed second in both the 100 and 200 while Zach Knisley ran a career-best :54.7 in the 400, scoring crucial points while finishing third.

“We always put a lot of pressure on our upper classmen to do well and we kind of take them for granted but they really came out and performed for us so far this week,” said a happy Chase Rasby, head coach of the Lions track teams. “Enough can’t be said for what these kids are doing to improve themselves and our program as a whole.”

Junior Kaitlin Coughlin took advantage of nearly perfect weather conditions to lead the LHS girls team to their highest finish of the season, scoring career highs in her specialties.

Coughlin’s leap of 15’ 0.75” won the long jump, tying her career best, after soaring to the triple jump crown with a jump of 33’ 11.25”, the best of her career by over 8 inches. The junior jumper then took to the track, uniting with Megan Poland, Taylor Zaracki and Alex Jensen to place second in the 4x400 relay.

But the top relay performance came when junior Ashley Sjogren joined forces with three freshmen, Tori Dean, Carlee Derby and Alexis Heilig to claim gold medals in the 4x800 relay in a time of 10:55.13.

“At this point I really couldn't be happier with our kids' efforts, improvements, and continual dedication to themselves and the program,” said Rasby. “The kids had a really nice day to use to their advantage and they took it and ran with it. In order for our teams to do so well overall we needed to have those kids that usually do well to continue to medal and those kids that don't usually medal to step up and post some outstanding marks and that is exactly what happened. We had some kids that have been right on the brink of medaling in their events for several weeks and it finally came together for them this week.”

Louisville travels to Yutan on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. to take part in the East Central Nebraska Conference Meet, one which Coach Rasby is looking forward to. “This team still has a lot more to give and I believe we can expect even better marks to be posted this weekend at ECNC and in the upcoming weeks.”

• Click to view LHS times, distances

Kaitlin Coughlin won the long jump and the triple jump at the Fort Calhoun Invitational pacing the LHS girls to a thrid place finsih.
Daniel Studey passes the baton to Paul Drelicharz in the 4x800 relay victory.

Photos compliments of Deb Derby.

Contact the writer:
mike@louisvillelions.com
The Lions Den: www.louisvillelions.com