Three area girls’ track teams took part in Tuesday’s Pen City Relays hosted by Fort Madison High School. The 41st annual event featured 16 teams, including Washington, Bellevue, Burlington, Cedar Rapids Jefferson, Central Lee, Columbus, Danville, Fairfield, Illini West, Iowa City Regina, Iowa Valley Community, Keokuk, Mediapolis, Mount Pleasant, New London, West Burlington, and Winfield-Mount Union. The meet was divided into two classes. Washington competed in Class A, while Columbus and Winfield-Mount Union battled in the Class B field.
Washington senior McKayla Miller continued finding success in the shot put competition, placing first with a throw of 34′ 0.5″. Her toss was five inches farther than the entire field regardless of class. Miller also posted a fourth place finish in the discuss throw, launching it 84’2″.
Washington recorded top three finishes from three relay teams. The 800 sprint medley team of Kelly Wheeler, Amber Salow, Jenah Greiner, and Isabel Bailey placed second with a time of 2:01.12. The 4×100 and 4×200 meter relay teams took third place. Washington came away with a fifth place team finish in the Class A field, scoring 74 points.
The Columbus Wildcats had two athletes place in the top three of the Class B long jump. Freshman Anna Hamilton’s leap of 15’0″ was the second longest recorded. Junior Shaina Boyd’s best jump was measured at 14’9.5″ the third longest. Boyd also had a second place finish in the 400 meter hurdles, clocking a time of 1:11.55. The Wildcats came away with an eighth place team finish with 36 points.
A notable finish for the Winfield-Mount Union Wolves came in the 4×800 meter relay. The crew of Allie McArtor, Whitney Vantiger, Fionna Sparrow, and Isabella Mertens concluded the race in 12:08.34, the third best result in Class B. The Wolves finished in 10th place with 11 points.
The Washington girls’ track team returns to competition today, participating in the Eddyville-Blakesburg-Freemont Invite. Columbus heads to Winfield for the Wolves’ girls’ only track meet tonight.