The Haines High School track team had its sights set on state competition as students raced against Juneau in the home meet last weekend.
Students from Juneau-Douglas and Thunder Mountain high schools competed against Haines in the annual home meet May 11 and 12.
Sophomore distance runner Siyel George said although he didn’t set any personal records at this meet, he was happy to win first place in the mile race with a time of 5 minutes, 16 seconds. He also competed in the 2-mile, four-person relay and 100-meter races.
“I got beaten by a guy I beat at the Juneau meet in the 2-mile,” George said. “I ran too fast to start, but I did alright.” He ultimately won third place. George said he will compete in the same races at the regional meet in Juneau this weekend and hopes to qualify for state in the 2-mile event like last year.
“I’m hoping to set personal records in everything. If I do that I’ll reach my goal,” he said.
Sophomore Becca Wheeler won first place in shotput by a quarter of an inch and set a personal record. “I’ve been working a lot on shotput and discus. I want to beat the school records,” Wheeler said. With a 26.35-foot throw, Wheeler is close to the 33.8-foot women’s school record. She also placed second in women’s discus.
Freshman Haley Boron placed second in the women’s 100-meter race and third in shotput and discus, setting personal records in all three events. Freshman Wesley Verhamme also placed second in shotput and discus, setting personal records for both. Sophomore Odin Jacobsen placed first in the 300-meter hurdles with a time of 52.54 seconds. Several other team members, both men and women, placed in the top five in their events.
Coach Pete Degen said the young athletes are gearing up for the regional qualifying meet. Students with the 12 best times or distances statewide will qualify for the state meet to be held in Palmer May 25-26.