LAMONI — The Perry boys track squad produced several impressive individual efforts while posting a strong overall team effort at the Jenner Indoor Meet at Graceland University Saturday.
“We had a lot of success in the open events,” Perry head coach Ben Coy said. “A lot of those guys went out and competed very well for being the first meet of the year and also in indoor track, where times are generally slower.”
“I believe a lot of the guys have some confidence now going into the outdoor season, and they should,” he added, “especially a couple of the sophomores like Kato Dougan and Tyler Fessler, who both had a good day Saturday.”
Dougan was the top qualifier and eventual winner in the 55 meter dash, finishing in 6.98 seconds, with Brandon Kenyon the fifth qualifier and fourth overall finisher in 7.04 ticks. A total of 38 runners had entered the preliminary rounds.
Fessler was first and Mana Martinez fourth, in 56.32 and 59.92, respectively, in the 400. Kenyon won the 200 in 24.55, with Dougan placing seventh (25.32) and Fessler eighth (25.53).
Kenyon also won the 800 by crossing in 2 minutes, 9.79 seconds, with teammate Eduardo Sanchez placing fifth at 2:26.58.
Sanchez produced a personal record of 5:35.58 to earn fifth in the 1600, with Hayden McFarland using a 5:59.88 to finish eighth.
The 4×800 team of Colin Malmberg, Alex Nunez, Jeb Stewart and Miguel Constanza was fourth, in 10:39.7, with the distance medley foursome of Malmberg, Nunex, Stewart and Jordan Long fifth in 4:52.27 while Stewart, Long, Constanza and Cole Snyder teamed for sixth in the 4×200 with a clocking of 1:53.52.
A long jump competition was held, with Dougan leaping to second in a new personal mark of 19 feet, 10-1/4 inches. Martinez landed ninth at 16’9-1/4, with Long 10th at 16’5-3/4.
The shot put was also contested, with Snyder placing 10th and Dakota Ocker 15th on best throws of 32’5 and 23’10, respectively.
Perry will begin their outdoor season Thursday by hosting the Davis Family Relays at Kaufman Track. A visit to the Gilbert Relays is scheduled for April 3, with Perry making the short trip to the Hugh Cavanaugh Relays in Woodward April 5.
