Emporia High track and field teams turned in a strong performance Thursday after the Manhattan Varsity Invite was moved up a day due to the threat of inclement weather. The Black and Red finished third in both the boys and girls divisions against a competitive field.
On the boys side, the Spartans were powered by several top-two finishes and relay success. Ben Collins led the way on the track, capturing first place in the 110-meter hurdles while adding a runner up finish in the 300-meter hurdles. Xaden Delgado also claimed the second spot in the 3200 meters.
The Spartans’ 4×400 relay team of Gavin Jennings, Garrett LeBlanc, Kael Bloomquist, and Rylan Crowell delivered a gold finish, while the 4×100 relay squad of Jennings, Crowell, LeBlanc, and Collins placed third.
In the field events, Chance Duncan had a standout day, earning double gold in the discus and javelin while taking second in the shot put. Cohen Bloomquist added a silver in the pole vault, and LeBlanc took second in the long jump.
The Emporia High girls matched the boys with a third-place team finish, highlighted by multiple individual champions. Allison Aeschliman won the 100-meter hurdles, and Kaylee DeWitt delivered top podium in the 300-meter hurdles, giving the Lady Spartans a sweep of the hurdle events.
Morgan McCoy claimed gold in the discus, while Paige Newland had a big day in the jumps, winning both the long jump and triple jump. Madison Evans added a second-place finish in the 3200 meters.
EHS will be back in action Friday, April 24, at Lawrence Free State High School.
