Blackhawks totally dominate District meet

GRAVETTE -- By the time the sun had set on Gravette stadium on April 24, the Pea Ridge Blackhawks had a complete and thorough domination of the 2018 1-4A District Track and Field Championships.

Both boys and girls had not only won the meets, they had won them big as the 'Hawks will be sending more than 30 athletes to the 4A State Championship Meet in Pocahontas.

Speaking after the district meet, head boys coach Asa Poteete said: "I was overall very pleased with how the boys performed at the district meet.

"A lot of things went the way we needed them to in order for us to win the district championship and get 14 kids into the state meet. I'm looking forward to seeing these boys compete and reap the reward for their hard work. We have had a very successful season so far. I'm very proud and thankful for this group of young men."

Girls head coach Heather Wade said: "At the district meet, we had several ninth graders step in and help in different areas. The others continue push themselves and work hard. Their hard work resulted in a district championship. My kids are excited and ready to compete at the state meet! This is the most kids we have taken to state since I've been coaching and we have kids in almost every event."

Favored by most to take the top district prizes, the Blackhawks did not have either of their teams at full strength but it didn't matter as the girls won by nearly 100 points with the boys taking their title by more than 60.

The girls headed into the state championships at Pocahontas as the team to beat, hoping to add another state title to add to the one they won at the indoor state meet in February. The boys were expected to challenge for their own state championship, ranked second just behind top ranked Ashdown.

Freshman Blakelee Winn scored a whopping 52 points, taking first places in the 100 (12.71), 200 (26.61), 100 hurdles (16.84), high jump (4'9"), triple jump (36'1"), and anchored the championship winning 4x400 relay (4:15.7). Winn was joined by Adelina Means, Cassidy Mooneyhan and Olivia McKracken.

Another Winn led the scoring for the boys, cousin senior Drew Winn who won the 100 (11.51), triple jump (41'11"), and took second in the long jump (19'9") for 28 points. Winn also anchored the 'Hawks 4x100 relay who finished far ahead of the field but who were disqualified on a lane violation.

The Lady 'Hawks piled up a 88-58 edge over runnerup Gravette after the field events. The 'Hawks then blew out the defending champions 126-58 in the running events to run away with the meet.

The boys had to overcome an early deficit, trailing Gentry after the field events 73-58. The Blackhawks then scorched the track, blowing past the Pioneers while outscoring them 117-40 in the running events to end the suspense early.

The Lady 'Hawks racked up 218 total school record points with Gravette second with 126, followed by Shiloh, 74; Prairie Grove, 55; Gentry, 45: Berryville, 41; Huntsville, 40; and Lincoln, 31. The boys were far ahead with 175 total points (also a school record) followed by Gentry, 113; Gravette, 105; Shiloh, 94: Huntsville, 57: Berryville, 45; Lincoln, 37; and Prairie Grove, 35.

Besides the Winn duo, six other Blackhawk athletes claimed individual district gold medals. Among the girls, sophomore Cassidy Mooneyhan claimed the pole vault (11'0") with freshmen Adelina Means and Harmony Reynolds capturing gold in the 400 (1:02.4) and 1,600 races (6:03.6), respectively.

For the boys, junior Cooper Elliott took the gold in the 200 (22.7) with junior Zach Woods winning the pole vault (12'0"). Junior Kenny Dorsey was a double gold medalist individually, winning both the 110 hurdles (16.35) and the 300 hurdles (42.34).

Eight other individuals also qualified for the state finals. Taking second places and state berths were: Maddyson Robinson, 3,200 (13.37); Jamison Toms, long jump (15'8"); Meredith Mitchell, discuss (94'11"); Lancy Nunley, pole vault (11'0"); Justin Koon, 110 hurdles (16.42); Conner Escajeda, 100 (11.27); Shaed Cates, 800 (2:09.5); with Jordan Witcher taking silvers in two events, the 200 (23.51) and the 400 (52.63).

The Blackhawk relay teams took three championships, winning the girls 4x400 (4:15.7) with the boys taking both the 4x400 (Jordan Witcher, Connor Escajeda, Shaed Cates, Elliott) 3:28.7 and 4x800 (Cates, Josiah Small, Mac Smith and Trevor Henry) 8:42.3, gold medals. The girls grabbed second places in the 4x100 (Cassidy Mooneyhan, Jamison Toms, Claire Hale, Gabby Adams) 52.6 and 4x800 (Harmony Reynolds, Adelina Means, Destiny Roughton, Nina Reed) 11:01.1 to obtain state finals berths.

Other girls scoring at the meet include: Mooneyhan, third, 100 (13.55) and third, 200 (28.07); Toms, third, pole vault (7'6"), sixth, 100 (13.94), and seventh, 200 (29.76); Reynolds, sixth, 800 (2:49.14) and third, 3,200 (14:30.5); Olivia Scates, sixth, 1,600 (6:37.1) and sixth, 3,200 (15:14); Reed, eighth, 3,200 (17:00); Hale, seventh, 100 hurdles (19.90) and seventh, 300 hurdles (55.7); Olivia McCracken, fifth, high jump (4'4"), third, 300 hurdles (52.47) and eighth, 100 hurdles (20.60); Kynley Burton, third high jump (4'8"); Roughton, fifth, high jump (4'4"); Lindsay Law, eighth, long jump (14'5"); Leire Leon, sixth, triple jump (30'2"); Hollyn Davis, seventh, triple jump (29'0"); Tori Scrogham, fourth, pole vault (7'0"); Adams, sixth, pole vault (6'6"); Kimberly Ortiz, eighth, discus (72'1"); and Haley Fox, seventh, shot put (27'3").

Other boys scoring were: Josiah Small, fifth, 800 (2:16.7); Macguire Smith, sixth, 800 (2:19.53); Trevor Henry, eighth, 800 (2:21.83); Colbey Norman, fourth, 300 hurdles (44.08); Koon, fifth, 300 hurdles (44.37); Witcher, fourth, triple jump (40'9") and sixth, long jump (18'7"); Escajeda, eighth, triple jump (39'5"); Aden Christenson, fourth, pole vault (9'6"); and Zach Humphries, sixth, shot put (39'8").

The state meet was Tuesday. The girls were picked to win with Little Rock Robinson picked for second, barely ranked ahead of Crossett and host Pocahontas.

The boys were barely ranked behind top seeded Ashdown but the 'Hawks lost the services of their second-ranked 4x100 relay which was disqualified at district. Nashville and Crossett were considered dark horse contenders along with Heber Springs for meet honors.

Sports on 05/02/2018