GHV boys posting personal bests

After battling adverse weather most of the season, the Garner-Hayfield-Ventura boys track team had a perfect night to compete at the Vikings Co-Ed Relays in Northwood on Monday, April 23.

“The boys took advantage of the nice night,” said Coach Kelsey Edwards.  “We had six individuals run personal bests.  Now that we’re able to be outside we are excited to fine tune the handoffs, hurdle form and throwing techniques.”

Ray Cataldo and Reece Smith combined to score a majority of the Cardinal’s points.  Cataldo picked up a first place finish in the 800 meter run with a time of 2:03.91.  It was a one-two finish in  the 1600 meter run, with Smith capturing top honors with a time of 4:38.16.  Cataldo was second in 5:00.96.  The duo ran the last two legs of the distance medley relay, which also placed first with a time of 3:46.49.  Other members of the relay were Devian Moore and Luke Brown.

Other events that scored points at the meet included:

*200: Devion Moore, 5th, 25.29

*800: Blake Lynch, 4th, 2:16.59

*3200: Andy Schreur, 4th, 11:54.84

*Shot Put: Tyler Nielsen, 6th, 38’08”

*4x200: Jason Lillebo, Isaac Bell, Luke Brown, Jerome Hatch, 5th, 1:49.15

*4x800: Lynch, Hejlik, Kris Hammitt, Hatch, 4th, 10:03.61

GHV Meet

The Cardinals hosted a meet on Thursday, April 24.  GHV placed near the bottom of the 10-team meet.  They team finished in ninth place with 32 points.  Lake Mills won the meet with 187 points.

Half of the team’s points were earned in the 800 meter run, where Ray Cataldo and Blake Lynch finished in first and third place respectively.  Cataldo won the event with a time of 2:03.41.  Lynch crossed the line in 2:15.90.

“We had a great week competing.  There were 11 personal best recorded this week,” said Coach Kelsey Edwards.  “The key now is to stay healthy and start working on our best line ups for conference and districts.”

Also scoring points were:

*Shot Put: Tyler Nielsen, 6th, 37’ 7.50”

*1600: Andy Schreur, 6th, 5:28.13

*3200: Nathan Larson, 4th, 12:04.85

*4x400: Larson, Jake Hejlik, Carter Winters, Ethan Hansen, 8th, 4:26.17

*Sprint Medley: Devion Moore, Jason Lillebo, Isaac Bell, Blake Lynch, 7th, 1:48.86

*Distance Medley: Bell, Jerome Hatch, Kris Hammitt, Hejlik, 7th, 4:30.99

Smith places 8th at Drake Relays

Garner-Hayfield-Ventura’s Reece Smith had the opportunity to compete at the Drake Relays on Thursday, April 26, at 5:25 p.m.  Smith qualified at a meet held at Southwest Polk on April 5 with a time of 9:46.35.

Smith took advantage of his opportunity and not only competed, but placed at the prestigious event.

Smith placed eighth in the 3200 meter run with a time of 9:31.31.  He was one second away from his personal best.