Louisville Boys Fifth at Yutan (4-12-11)

Freshmen led the way as the Louisville boys track team finished fifth and the Lions’ girls eighth at the 12 team Yutan Invite won by the Malcolm boys and the Omaha Concordia girls.

Jack Winkler and TJ Zaracki, both freshmen distance runners, placed second and fourth in the 3200 in the afternoon then returned in the evening session with Zaracki placing third and Winkler fourth in the 1600. Earlier, the duo combined with Jon Haag and Paul Drelicharz to placed second in the 4x800 relay in a time of 9:23.3.

Another freshman, Sterling Reeves placed third in the 300 meter hurdles in a time of :46.3, the best time by a freshman in Louisville High School history.

"On the boys' side our young athletes have stepped right in to fill some big shoes left by last year's seniors," said Lions head coach Chase Rasby. "We are pleased with the work ethic and development of all of our athletes but especially Jack Winkler, TJ Zaracki, and Sterling Reeves."

On the girls side, Louisville’s Kaitlin Coughlin led a trio of LHS triple jumpers, winning with a leap of 33’ 2.5”, nipping Erika Stubbendeck of Elmwood-Murdock by 1/2 inch. Juniors Sydney Stander and Taylor Zaracki placed fourth and fifth respectively as the Lions scored 16 of their 37 team points in the event.

Coughlin later went to the track, teaming with Taylor Zaracki, Alex Jensen and Kristin Brandstrom to finish second in the 4x400 relay (4:30.4). Another relay team, the 4x800 team of Paige Higginbotham, Sydney Stander, Ashley Sjogren and Brandstrom toured the Chieftain track in 10:47.9 to place third.

"On the girls sqaud, we are pleased with the leadership of our upper classmen and the competition there is in the 400m and 800m to be on our relay teams," said Rasby.

The Lions took advantage of the best weather of the spring with temperatures in the 70s and only a slight southerly breeze.

"Yesterday was a productive day even if it didnt exactly show it in the team scoring," continued Rasby. "We had 40 season bests yesterday and that is all attributed to how the kids have been working. We have sustained some minor injuries that have been holding us back a bit, but as soon as we can get healthy I expect the kids to show what they can really do."

"We have some athletes doing some events that they don't necessarily want to do, but are doing them for the benefit of the team and we love that type of team first attitude and appreciate the maturity it takes from our athletes. We are excited for the next couple of weeks and are looking to get healthy, keep working hard, and make some big improvements in all areas."

The Lions travel north to the Platteview Invitational on Thursday, April 21. Field events are set to begin at 2:30.

• Click to view team standings and event winners via Lincoln Journal-Star
• Click to view Louisville times, distances

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

LHS triple jumper Kaitlin Coughlin won her specialty with a leap of 33' 2.5" at the Yutan Invite, her second victory in a row.

Photo compliments of
Krambeck Photography.
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