Callas Wins 300 Hurdles at State

CHENEY – Waitsburg and Dayton finished their track campaigns this weekend in Cheney at the State 2B Track & Field Championships. Waitsburg had nine athletes compete in the year's final meet, while Dayton had three of their own take part over the weekend.

Waitsburg junior Landon Callas stood atop the podium after the finals of the 300 meter hurdles. He won the finals race in a personal best time 40.02 seconds.

"He beat a quality field and earned the victory," said Waitsburg coach Jeff Bartlow. "Landon worked extremely hard, listened to his coaches and continued to improve each week. He was excited about state and was excited about the chance for a victory and a championship."

Callas also took part in the 110 meter hurdles and was a part of the 4x100 meter relay team, both of which did not qualify for the final round.

Waitsburg's Emily Adams also had a strong weekend, placing high in the finals for the 800, 1600, and 3200 meter events. She would end up 2nd in the 800 and 4th in both the 1600 and 3200 meter races.

"Her performance was especially gratifying after she struggled early in the meet in the triple jump, an event she placed in as a sophomore," Bartlow said, "She had a great day (Saturday)."

Adams, a sophomore, also participated in the preliminary round for the triple jump, but did not qualify for the finals.

Cardinal senior Mark Montgomery set a personal best in the discus, ending up 8th in the final. "He really got better and better each week and also worked extremely hard. He shined in the disk," said Bartlow.

Skylar Wood ended his season with a 15th-place finish in the 3200, and the 4x100 meter relay team of Joe Leamy, Nick Kitselman, Travis Crockett, and Callas finished the weekend in 11th place. Crockett also participated in the 100 and 200 meter sprints as well as the high jump. Zion Branson came in 13th in the shot put.

"We had a great season. Our boys team is loaded with juniors and we will again be strong at the District and State level next year," said Bartlow.  "We will miss our three seniors, all throwers (Mark Montgomery, Zion Branson and Brandon Penner), but have a strong team coming back."

Dayton had three athletes take part in the state meet. Freshman Neylan Bryan finished 13th in the 400-meter race, barely missing out on qualifying for the final heat. Alexus Wanlarbkam closed out her season with a 15th place showing in the 100 meter hurdles, also missing out on a place in the final round.

"I was pleased with our athletes' performances.  Neylan and Alexus pushed their way through occasional bouts with worry and self-doubt and ran their fastest times of the season," said Head Coach Dan Nechodom.

Dayton's sole male competitor at state, Cal Martin, qualified for the finals in the javelin. His best throw of 159 feet 5 inches in the final gave him a 7th place finish, which secured a spot on the podium.

"We enjoyed and appreciated the support and encouragement of the school and community, including a rousing send-off," commented Nechodom. "The entire high school stood and cheered in the parking lot as we left, and we drove past several groups of waving and cheering grade school kids."

2B State Championship Meet

May 26 – 28, Eastern Washington University, Cheney

Waitsburg Boys

100 Meters  2B - Prelims x

15. Travis Crockett 12.06a

200 Meters  2B - Prelims x

14. Travis Crockett 23.98a

3200 Meters  2B - Finals x

15. Skylar Wood 11:27.74a

110m Hurdles - 39”  2B - Prelims x

10. Landon Callas 17.12a

300m Hurdles - 36”  2B - Finals x

1. Landon Callas 40.01a

300m Hurdles - 36”  2B - Prelims x

2. Landon Callas 41.63a

 4x100 Relay  2B - Prelims x

11. Landon Callas

Nicolas Kitselman

Joe Leamy

Travis Crocket 46.05a

Shot Put - 12lb  2B - Finals x

13. Mark Montgomery 41-03.50

14. Zion Branson 40-11.50

Discus - 1.6kg  2B - Finals x

8. Mark Montgomery 139-02

Javelin - 800g  2B - Finals x

15. Mark Montgomery 137-03

High Jump  2B - Finals x

12. Travis Crockett 5-08.00

Waitsburg Girls

800 Meters  2B - Finals x

2. 11 Emily Adams 2:23.06a

800 Meters  2B - Prelims x

4. Emily Adams 2:25.19a

1600 Meters  2B - Finals x

4. Emily Adams 5:26.61a

3200 Meters  2B - Finals x

4. Emily Adams 11:51.52a

Triple Jump  2B - Finals x

13. Emily Adams 30-06.50

Dayton Boys

Javelin - 800g  2B - Finals x

7. Cal Martin 159-05

Dayton Girls

400 Meters  2B - Prelims x

13. Neylan Bryan 1:05.20a

100m Hurdles - 33”  2B - Prelims x

15. Alexus Wanlarbkam 18.55a