By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette
In the final two days of the Iowa High School Track and Field State Championships, the Panorama girls track and field team competed in five events, at Drake Stadium on Friday, May 17 and Saturday, May 18.
On Friday, Arilyan Steenblock threw a personal best in the discus of 105-01, finishing 19th. Jaidyn Sellers competed in the high jump, finishing third with a jump of 5-05.00.
Saturday’s events saw Sellers compete in the 100- and 200-meter dashes. She won both of the events, taking her total career number of state titles to 10. After setting the state record in the 100-meter prelims on Thursday, Sellers won the event in 12.41. Sellers also won the 200-meter finals, running a time of 25.09. Kylie Rochholz was the final Panther girl to compete on the day, clocking a personal best in the 1500-meter run at 5:03.93, placing ninth.
Head Coach Greg Thompson had a lot to say about the senior class of athletes he guided this season.
“I could always count on Jaidyn giving her best effort in everything we asked her to do,” Thompson said. “More impressive than all of her on-the-track accomplishments are her personality, character and leadership. Often, Jaidyn would help other athletes even if they were competing against her. This past weekend, Jaidyn gave one of her championship hats to one of the para-athletes that didn’t win because Jaidyn felt that girl was a champion because she was out there competing and giving her best effort. Jaidyn told her that she was the true champion. These are things I will miss the most about coaching Jaidyn.”
“Lindy Nelson joined the track team for the first time. Lindy was a thrower for the team and did a nice job. She had a good attitude and improved throughout the season,” Thompson said.
“Avery Bahrenfuss has primarily been a distance runner for our team, but she did fill in for sprints whenever we needed someone to help fill a relay or an open spot. Avery always had a good attitude and never complained. Avery set a new life-time best in the 3000 at the state qualifying meet and finished out the season as an alternate for the 4 x 8,” he said.
“Zoey Hambleton showed great dedication and perseverance in finishing the season on an injured knee that will require surgery (torn ACL, meniscus and other minor damage). Zoey ran on state medal winning relays in her freshman and sophomore seasons. Zoey is a member of the school record sprint medley and distance medley relays. I can always count on Zoey for a smile and a positive comment,” Thompson said.
In all, Sellers won 10 state titles and set four state meet records, as well as achieving one state meet runner-up, three bronze, and one fifth. Jaidyn competed in the Drake Relays in 14 events. She earned three Drake Relays championships, one runner-up and five other medals.
Photos by Betty Cooper
