Track athletes continue to improve

The Peabody-Burns track and field team was the smallest school competing at the James Thomas Invitational Friday in Hillsboro, struggling to score points.

Despite both teams’ disadvantages, coach Brian Lightner said the boys and girls gained experience and set several personal records in the process.

“The weather was perfect, and it was a good competitive atmosphere heading into the championship phase of our season,” he said.

The boys’ team finished with four points on the day. Braxton Kyle tied for fourth in the high jump with a 5-foot, 10-inch jump. The 4x800-meter relay team finished sixth in a 10-minute, 10-second time, a 17-second improvement on the season.

Those setting personal records were Austin Reynolds in both hurdle races, Marcus Sanders and Enrique Palazon in the 1,600-meter run, Gage Claassen in the 400-meter dash, Andrew Wedel in discus, Zach Baatrup in javelin, and the 4x400-meter relay team of Cody Partridge, Patrick Egan, Junior Edmondson, and Kevin Baatrup.

The girls’ team earned its only points on the day with a fifth-place finish in the 4x800-meter relay. The group’s time of 13 minutes, 7 seconds was 16 seconds faster than its previous time.

Sophomore Kayla Washington also set a season best in shot put, improving five inches over her previous high.