The team consisted of seniors Dovon Williams and Cam Elliott, junior Charles Brown and freshman Aaron Scott.
“There’s a lot of emotions,” Williams said moments before the Wildcats stepped on the podium. “I put my heart into this program to make not just myself, but everybody better. We’re here and we placed top-4 with a freshmen and a first-year junior. I’ve run with (Elliott) for the last five years. I’m thankful for every race we ran together. It’s a big relief.”
The Wildcats began the season running times in the 3:30s, Elliott said. The hard work throughout the season paid off in their final race of the season, he said.
“All four of us at practice, we push each other and we work really hard,” Elliott said. “It paid off. We finished top-4. Obviously, we wanted to get first, but I’m proud of these guys and how hard each one of us have worked.”
Wildcats junior Jadyn Marstella finished third in the girls seated shot put with a personal-best throw of 14 feet, 4.75 inches.
“I’m super happy and excited,” she said. “I threw the farthest I’ve thrown all season. It’s a great blessing to be here and compete against the other girls.”
Credit: Name Test
Credit: Name Test
She entered the competition with a personal-best throw of 11-2.75.
Marstella, a first-year thrower, had the top toss of the underclassmen. Otsego senior Abigail Gase won with a toss of 18-8.75, while Lodi Cloverleaf’s Brooklyn Crist was second (16-10).
The goal for next year is to break 18 feet and hopefully bring home a state championship, she said.
“When I first started out, I never thought I’d get (14 feet) and then you just start to build it up the more you go,” she said. “It’s crazy to look back on how far I’ve come.”
The Wildcats boys 400 relay team of Jayvin Norman, Anthony Brown, Williams and Elijah Johnson placed eighth in 43.14.
Springfield’s Jokell Brown placed sixth in the shot put with a toss of 55-10, while teammate Te’Sean Smoot placed 16th in the long jump with a leap of
Charles Brown also placed 10th in the 400 in 49.46 in Friday’s preliminary races. The Wildcats 800 relay team of Williams, Anthony Brown, Elliott and Johnson placed ninth in 1:28.93.
As a team, the Wildcats placed 27th overall with nine points.
“I’m very proud of the team,” Elliott said. “Everyone has been so supportive. This is the closest the team has ever been. That’s the No. 1 goal. We built a family, a brotherhood. I’m very proud of these guys.”