Grand boys take first, girls second at Blue Mountain Invitational

The Grand County High School boys track team easily bested five other schools from the area, while the girls finished second as well at the Blue Mountain Invitational in Blanding on Saturday, April 22.

Grand’s boys finished with 227 points, nearly 100 ahead of host San Juan’s second-place 139. In the girls division, San Juan won the meet with 163 while Grand was close behind with 155.

Grand had several athletes take first in events, including Ryan Lewis, who won the triple crown of distance races, placing first in the 800-meters (2:09.46), 1,600-meters (4:49.11) and 3,200-meters (11:04.71). Teammate Evan Ellison nearly spoiled Lewis’ triple crown in the 3200, finishing second at 11:05.93. Ellison also finished second in the 1,600-meters (4:57.81) and fourth in the 800-meters (2:19.37).

As an increasingly rare thrower who also competes in running events, Jarom Shumway did well in Blanding, finishing first in the 110-meter hurdles (17.60), second in the shot put (38 feet, 11 inches), and third in the 300-meter hurdles (47.51) and the discus (103 feet, 2.5 inches.) Teammate Connor Guerrero won the 300-meter hurdles (44.82) and Dakota Johnson placed second (45.80). Guerrero also placed third in the 200-meters (24.64).

Trent Elmore also reached the top spot on the podium for Grand, placing first in the 400-meters (53.88). Elmore also placed fourth in the 100-meters (11.91). Other podium finishes in running events came from Ruben Villalpando and Dakota Johnson, who finished second and third in the 110-meter hurdles behind Shumway at 17.61 and 18.51, respectively. Freshman Kaine Allred just missed the podium in the 400-meters, placing fourth at 58.54.

Grand got a first-place effort in a field event from Teddy Park, who won the high jump at 5 feet, 10 inches. Freshman Jayden Dowd placed second in both the javelin (138 feet, 3 inches) and the discus (105 feet, 7 inches), while also placing fifth in the shot put (33 feet, 7 inches). In the long jump, Villalpando placed fourth (17 feet, 10 inches) and Allred finished fifth (17 feet, 3.5 inches).

Grand’s boys also won the 4×400-meter relay at 3:54.08 and the medley relay at 4:15.36, and they placed second in the 4×100-meter relay at 46.35.

Grand’s girls took home first-place medals in five individual events and both relays in which they competed, forgoing the 4×100-meter relay altogether. Auburn Jackman won both the 200-meters (28.54) and the 400-meters (1:03.97), Abby Mason won the long jump (14 feet, 11 inches), Halli Stocks won the discus (99 feet) and Delaney Olsen won the javelin (75 feet, 10 inches). Grand also won the 4×400-meters (4:41.90) and the medley (4:41.52).

Grand got other strong individual finishes from Kyha Gritts, who placed fourth in both the 100-meters (14.32) and the 200-meters (30.23); Mason, who in addition to her long jump victory placed second in the high jump (4 feet, 4 inches) and fifth in the 100-meters (14.51); Megan Pfnister, who placed second in the 300-meter hurdles (53.33) and took part in both relays; Jayelen Knowles, who placed second in the 800-meters (2:48.06) and the 1,600-meters (6:00.43) and third in the 3,200-meters (13:10.46); Ali Hirt, who placed fourth in the 1,600-meters (6:03.21) and also competed in both relays; and Stocks, who in addition to winning the discus, placed fourth in the shot put (24 feet, 2.5 inches).

The Red Devils are next scheduled to compete at home when they host the Eastern Utah Championships on Friday, April 28, beginning at 2 p.m.

Red Devils outrun teams from around southeastern Utah

What: Eastern Utah Championships track and field competition

When: Friday, April 28, at 2 p.m.

Where: Grand County High School, 608 S. 400 East

Author: Tim Chappell

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