Hawks Soar Through Regionals
The Hawks soared through the regional meet Friday as both the girls and boys team were victorious in the regional hosted by East at ODAC. The Hawks were undaunted by the challenge of what was widely regarded as the toughest 6A regional. The girls team outdistanced a strong team from Gardner-Edgerton and the boys beat out favored Olathe North for the team titles.
It was appropriate that seniors led the way as they prepared to graduate on Sunday. Seniors Kaylyn Williams, Jenny Pinkston, and Jacob Schulze each qualified to compete in four events. Jacob’s performance was especially noteworthy as he was battling the effects of a fever. Jenny set a new school record in the long jump with a leap of 18-10.25” which is currently the best jump of the year in 6A. Kaylyn broke her school record in the 300 hurdles while speeding to a 45.60 finish and she also recorded the second best OE time ever in the 100 hurdles with a time of 14.96. She is currently ranked at #3 and #4 in 6A in these respective events. Junior Brenna McDannold also set a new school record by winning the 3200 in 11:20.22 which shaved eight seconds from her previous record.
The boys team crowned champions in five events including double winner Adam Osheim (110 hurdles and 300 hurdles), Nick Hinrichs in the 800, John Blazevic in the javelin and the 4×100 relay team. The girls were victorious in eight events including Jasmine Thomas who won both the 100 and 200, Brenna McDannold sweeping the 1600 and the 3200, Kelsey Quiring winning the 800, Jenny Pinkston taking the long jump over a tough field, the 4×100 relay, and the 4×400 relay. The girls 4×400 relay time is the fastest time in 6A this year.
In the process of sweeping the team titles, several top five all time OE performances were recorded as well. Outstanding performances included Adam Osheim (#2 in the 110 hurdles), Jenny Pinkston (#2 in the high jump), Kaylyn Wiliams (#2 in the 100 hurdles), Jasmine Thomas (#3 in the 200), Jazmine Holbert (#4 in the javelin), and Rebekah Gurka (#5 in the long jump). Two of the girls relay teams also set top five times with 4×400 relay team setting the third best ever time and the 4×800 setting the fifth best time ever.
The girls’ team will be sending 13 individuals in 11 different events as well as all three relay teams to the state this weekend in Wichita where they will be a favorite in their attempt to extend their four year string of 6A state titles. The boys also send a strong contingent to the state meet as ten different individuals in eight different events and all three relay teams qualified to compete. The boys are expected to be strong contenders in a battle with SM Northwest and Olathe North for the team title. Competition begins early Friday morning and continues through Saturday at Cessna Stadium at Wichita State University. Head on down and support the team if you can as it is quite a show seeing all six classes of both boys and girls compete in a single venue. Good luck to our Hawks in their quest to bring state championships back to Olathe!
