Sellers sets state record in 400-meter, Rochholz and 4x800 have season highs at state championships

By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette

With blue skies above and blue track below, several Panorama athletes got off the blocks at the Iowa High School Track and Field Championships on Thursday, May 16.

Live updates for Panorama can be found HERE. A live stream of all the events can be watched for free HERE.

Jaidyn Sellers competed in the 100-meter prelims. She ran the fastest qualifying time among all classes, 12.05, and set a class 1A state record in doing so. She’ll run in the finals on Saturday. Sellers set a new school record in the 200-meter dash running a 24.68, again, the fastest time across all classes. The finals for the 200-meter are also on Saturday. Sellers added to her growing trophy cabinet in the 400-meter dash, setting another state record in the process. The blazing 55.44 time earned the track star the eighth state title of her career. If Saturday goes similar to today, Sellers can hit double-digit state titles.

“Jaidyn had a very good day. The 200 and 400 were her life-time best times. Jaidyn had great block starts in all three races,” Head Coach Greg Thompson said.

Kylie Rochholz placed 14^th in the 3000-meter run with her second fastest time of the season in 11:28.52. Already competing at the state level, the Panorama freshman still has a chance to gain a title in the 1500-meter run on Saturday and will likely have more chances at distance titles in future seasons.

The 4×800 meter relay team consisting of Mary Fett, Laicey Lutz, Maddy Lutz and Rochholz finished in 19^th with a time of 10:29.57, crushing their season best time by about 16 seconds.

“Each young lady competed very well today. Kylie struggled a bit with the heat, but she still ran her second-best time of the season,” Thompson said. “The 4×800 crew ran very well, finishing two spots above their seeded time. Mary and Maddy ran their lifetime best 800 splits.”

Today, May 17, Jaidyn Sellers will be leaping in the high jump event, while Arilyan Steenblock will be throwing in discus.