The Glacier Bear girls placed third and the boys were fourth in the Haines Invitational track meet last week at Sharnbroich Field.
About 150 athletes from five schools and more than 40 volunteers made the meet the biggest here in about a decade.
Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan, Skagway and Thunder Mountain participated.
Seniors Jesse Piper and Fran Daly led the Bears, each winning discus and shot put events. Classmate Jordan Piper set a personal record in high jump, leaping 4’6″ high.
Underclassmen also performed well. Freshman Corey Piper placed fifth in the 3,200-meter run in 11:42, a competitive time that bodes well for his future in the sport, said coach Greg Schlachter.
Sophomore Devin Braaten set personal records in the 110-meter high hurdles and 300-meter intermediate hurdles and classmate Esther Bower, also a hurdler, was third in the 100-meter event and fifth at 300 meters. Bower also placed third in triple jump.
Sophomore Teolani Lynch was third in long jump.
Haines girls’ relay teams were impressive, garnering second place in the 4-by 400-meters, 4-by-200, and 4-by-100 races. Senior Brian Huntsman was fifth in the 100-meter dash; freshman Caullen Taylor placed sixth.
The teams compete at the regional championship this weekend in Juneau. Finishes will help determine which athletes qualify to compete at the state championship May 22. Daly holds the 3A Alaska season record in discus and shot. Piper holds the Alaska 3A season mark at the 110 hurdles, an event he’ll compete in again this weekend.
Schlachter said he’s emphasizing peak performances in individual, showcase events, rather than team scoring. He’s encouraging his athletes to compete in up to four events each. Counting preliminary heats, that’s six competitions.
“Hopefully, they go to this meet having their legs and feeling good taking on the six events that they’re doing.”