Four boys will represent GHV at State Track Meet

Garner-Hayfield-Ventura will be represented by four boys at the State Track Meet to be held this weekend in Des Moines.  Those those advancing from the 2A District Qualifying Meet held in Garner on Thursday, May 12, will be Chase Smith, Reece Smith, Logan Dalbeck and Sam Cataldo.

“The boys competed well and we had personal bests, both individually and as relays, and that’s what we want to happen at Districts,” said Coach Kelsey Steffens.  “I am looking forward to watching the four boys compete on the blue oval.”

Freshman Reece Smith won the 3200 meter run with a time of 10:05.56 to secure his trip to State.  Also qualifying in the 3200 was senior Chase Smith, who placed third with a time of 10:11.01.

Senior Sam Cataldo qualified in two events by winning both the 400 meter hurdles and the 110 high hurdles.  Cataldo won the 400 meter hurdles event with a time of 55.95 and the 110 meter hurdles in 15.80.

To get the chance to compete on the blue oval, Logan Dalbeck placed second in the 1600 meter run with a time of 4:38.24.

Ray Cataldo just missed qualifying in the 800 meter run.  He placed third with a time of 2:06.15.  Also just missing a State berth was the shuttle hurdle team.  The relay, which consisted of Johnathan O’Connor, David Cook, Conner Shaw and Sam Cataldo, placed third with a time of 1:03.18.

The Cardinals had two relays that placed fifth.  The 4x100 meter relay team of Shaw, O’Connor, Cook and Sam Cataldo clocked a 46.00, while the 4x800 team of Ray Cataldo, Derek Brown, O’Connor and Dalbeck ran the race in 8:33.50.

The distance medley team of Cook, Shaw, O’Connor and Dalbeck placed sixth with a time of 3:44.72.

The Cardinals placed fifth in the 12-team field with 67 points.  Forest City won the District with a score of 102.

“As a team, the boys had to fill different roles and try new events this year.  I am proud of how coachable and willing they were to help earn points for the team,” said Steffens.