COVER PHOTO: Riley Homrich
Regardless of what happens at the regional meet starting Thursday, it’s been a special season for both the Hopkins girls’ and boys’ track teams.
Both have been blessed with a slew of record-breaking performances , such as sophomore Riley Homrich in the 100-meter dash, senior Jaeden Harshberger in the high jump, senior pole vaulter Landen Kline and Jacob Holder in the 400-meter dash.
Adding to the excitement is the plethora of tournament championship outings for the Lady Vikings, most recently Monday in the Comstock Invitational. They amassed 146 team points to edge Centreville by six team points in a 10-team field. The guys weren’t so bad themselves finishing third behind Grand Rapids Covenant Christian and the host squad in a 12-team field.
Homrich, who has run a school record 12.66 seconds in the 100, turned in a 12.79-second performance at Comstock and was second by just seven-hundredths of a second from first.
But a girl as fast as Homrich also comes in handy in the relays. She, Kambria Moored, Ellarie Baugh and Sierra Emaus, who already own the school record, took first by an astonishing 2.67 seconds faster than a Comstock foursome that was running its best ever clocking.
The Vikings also shine in the hurdles. Kambria Moored and Andrea Brewer went 1-2 in the 100-meter highs in 16.78 and 18.17 seconds, respectively.
The 800 relay quartet of Elliot VanderVeen, Addison Warners, Andrea Brewer and Ava VanderVeen, came up with their best-ever time of 1:54.60 , good for runner-up.
Another freshman, Keilah Bonga, finished first in the discus at 98-10.5 and teammate Leah Scummier was third. Bonga checked in second in the shot with a toss of 10-04.
Ellarie Baugh and Emaus went 2-3 in the long jump. Baugh took the top slot in the pole vault 7-6.
Kaylee Katje captured a third in the 3200-meter run. Brewer, only a freshman, finished second in the 300-meter hurdles in 51.43 seconds.
Malachi Navis was third in the 100-meter dash with a time of 11.7.
Isaiah Robinson was third in the 400 in 54.91 seconds, missing second place by just four-hundredths of a second and first by less than a half second.
Clayton Kerber won the 300-meter hurdles in 42.87 seconds and was second in the 110-meter high hurdles, only six-hundredths of a second slower than the winner.
Brayden Harnish, Zac Wierenga, Gage Martin and Navis came up with a second place in the 400-meter relay.
Joshua Maule threw the shot 43 feet, five inches to take second place.
