Peaking at just the right time, the Altoona-Midway Middle School girls’ track squad finished an impressive second overall in the team standings of the Mineral Belt League Track Meet held Monday.
The Lady Jets had several performers place in multiple events, racking up a total of 83 points to earn runner-up honors for the day. The AMMS boys’ track squad placed fifth overall in the team standings of the league meet.
Placing in all four of their respective events for the Lady Jets were Abi Elsesser, Ava Hufford and Cate Nembhard. Heather Lane and Mariah Stackhouse each placed in three separate events, while Jasmine Splechter, Tiffany Kuhn and Makayla Wood picked up points in two events.
Dalton Smith placed in a trio of events for the Altoona-Midway boys’ team.
“This was the team’s best track meet yet. All of the kids competed extremely well and pushed themselves through the wind,” said AMMS track coach Lauren Lewallen. “Coach (Treasure) Hoag and I are tremendously proud of all of the athletes and what they accomplished in the short but intense season.” “This group of girls has shown their true hard work throughout the season by working together in practice and meets to improve our team standings every time we compete,” said Lewallen. “The boys’ team is a bit younger and we are excited to see them develop over the years to come.” The only gold medal for Altoona-Midway at the MBL meet came in the girls’ medley, where Lane, Hufford, Elsesser and Nembhard teamed up for the first-place finish.
The Lady Jets also placed in two other relays, as Hufford, Splechter, Stackhouse and Wood finished second in the 4x200 relay; and Wood, Lane, Hufford and Nembhard took third in the 4x100.
Lady Jets placing in individual events were: Elsesser – second in the 400, fourth in the 75 meter hurdles, and sixth in the 100; Nembhard – second in the 100 and third in the 400; Stackhouse – second in the 200 and fourth in the high jump; Kuhn – third in the mile and fifth in the 800; Lane – third in the high jump; Hufford – fifth in the 75 meter hurdles: Splechter – sixth in the high jump.
Helping the AMMS boys to a fifth-place finish was Smith, who took third place in the shot put, third place in the discus, and fourth place in the 75 meter hurdles. The Jets also placed third in the Throwers Relay with a squad comprised of Chase Nalley, Blaine Collins, Jacob Meigs and Zeek Roby.