Record vault highlights Dogies meet — Francis breaks 26-year school mark

The Newcastle High School track and field team turned in a strong early-season showing at the Laura Chord Memorial Track Meet on March 26, highlighted by a record-breaking performance from Madalyn Francis and several state pre-qualifying efforts.

Francis cleared 9 feet in the pole vault to set a new school record, breaking a 26-year-old mark of 8 feet, 6 inches set by Mindy Williams in 2000. The milestone performance served as the standout moment of the meet for the Dogies.

Head coach Matt Conzelman noted that the meet carries special meaning for the program and community, as this May marks the 10th anniversary of Laura Chord’s passing.

“This week, we reflected on the significance of the Laura Chord Memorial Track Meet to our school and community,” Conzelman said. “She is fondly remembered for her unwavering faith, strong work ethic, resilience, competitiveness and admirable character.”

The Chord family continues to support the event each year, providing special medals for placing athletes and recognizing top finishers in the 300-meter hurdles — Chord’s favorite race — with additional awards.

Despite less-than-ideal weather conditions, Newcastle athletes delivered a number of strong performances against a field of eight high school teams and eight middle school teams.

“I am incredibly proud of how we competed,” Conzelman said. “Many of our athletes are on the verge of qualifying for the state track meet.”

Three Dogies punched early tickets to the WHSAA State Track and Field Championships with pre-qualifying marks.

Adalyn Olson qualified in four events, posting times of 12.78 seconds in the 100-meter dash, 26.39 in the 200-meter dash and 15.45 in the 100-meter hurdles, while also jumping 17 feet, 1 inch in the long jump.

Landon Hill earned his qualification in the high jump by clearing 6 feet, 1 inch.

Francis added her name to the list of qualifiers with her record-setting vault.

As a team, the Dogie boys finished third with 97.5 points, while the girls placed fourth with 76 points.

Newcastle also had representation in the featured 300-meter hurdles races. Adam Butler led the way for the Dogies, winning the boys race in 46.39 seconds.

Conzelman emphasized that the performances at the meet reflect both the athletes’ preparation and the program’s continued growth early in the season.

Full results from the meet are available at wy.milesplit.com.

Girls results
Sprints
100: Adalyn Olson, 1st, 12.78; Anika Oleson, 17th, 14.52; Brystal Sweet, 21st, 14.77; Hana Alexander, 25th, 15.08; Ashlynn Shroyer, 34th, 16.46.
200: Adalyn Olson, 2nd, 26.39; Brystal Sweet, 14th, 30.15; Josie Smith, 16th, 30.22; Madison Sterriker, 32nd, 35.23; Ashlynn Shroyer, 33rd, 36.29; Tatiana Lephine, 34th, 38.80.
400: Hollie Swentesky, 9th, 1:22.26.

Hurdles/Relays
100H: Adalyn Olson, 1st, 15.45.
300H: Aspyn Archer, 13th, 1:03.26.
4x100: Relay team, 6th, 1:01.79.

Jumps
HJ: Hollie Swentesky, 5th, 4-3; Aspyn Archer, 6th, 4-1; Anika Oleson, 6th, 4-1; Olivia Watt, 6th, 4-1.
LJ: Adalyn Olson, 1st, 17-1; Kaia Pederson, 15th, 12-6; Chevelle Bryan, 16th, 11-10.
TJ: Anika Oleson, 1st, 31-6; Kaia Pederson, 2nd, 29-10.5; Lillie Morrill, 7th, 28-8; Hollie Swentesky, 8th, 28-4.5; Josie Smith, 10th, 27-7.5; Chevelle Bryan, 11th, 27-0.5.
PV: Madalyn Francis, 3rd, 9-0.

Throws
Discus: Sydney Pederson, 9th, 91-2; Kyndal Von Eye, 12th, 84-2; Lilly Patterson, 12th, 84-2; Heidi Sanford, 20th, 68-0; Adrianna Schofield, 26th, 53-3; Kentri Liggett, 34th, 33-6.
SP: Sydney Pederson, 8th, 28-8; Kyndal Von Eye, 9th, 27-6; Lilly Patterson, 19th, 23-7; Maria Sandvold, 20th, 23-6; Heidi Sanford, 21st, 23-2; Macy Steber, 36th, 11-9.

Boys results
Sprints
100: Collin McConkey, 4th, 11.91; Dane Crabtree, 11th, 12.26; Jaden McGuire, 13th, 12.31; Rurik Herrberg, 17th, 12.40; Cole Erb, 22nd, 12.65.
200: Landen Hill, 4th, 24.30; Collin McConkey, 5th, 24.44; Jaden McGuire, 7th, 24.89; Rurik Herrberg, 11th, 25.46; Gilberto Martinez-Chavez, 30th, 27.91; Wyatt Kaminski, 33rd, 28.58.
400: Archer Ohnstad, 11th, 58.36; Gilberto Martinez-Chavez, 18th, 1:03.98.

Distance
800: Archer Ohnstad, 7th, 2:21.22.
1600: Lane Carter, 13th, 5:58.21.
3200: Lane Carter, 8th, 12:20.50.

Hurdles/Relays
110H: Adam Butler, 1st, 17.80; Dustin McCarthy, 2nd, 19.01.
300H: Adam Butler, 1st, 46.39.
4x100: Relay team, 3rd, 47.44.
4x400: Relay team, 2nd, 3:51.64.

Jumps
HJ: Landen Hill, 1st, 6-1; Dustin McCarthy, 4th, 5-7.
LJ: Dane Crabtree, 2nd, 19-9; Dustin McCarthy, 13th, 17-3.5; Adam Butler, 18th, 16-5.
TJ: Cole Erb, 3rd, 38-10.5; Dustin McCarthy, 11th, 35-0.
PV: Nate White, 4th, 9-6.

Throws
Discus: Connor Kitch, 9th, 108-10; Lucas Benshoof, 23rd, 86-11; Teegon Martinez, 27th, 73-0; Dante Demerritt, 32nd, 63-7; Owen Evenson, 35th, 60-5; Evan Lyle, 39th, 52-5.
SP: Dante Demerritt, 12th, 32-2; Alec Williams, 21st, 28-0; Ashton Wertz, 33rd, 22-6; Kellan Hespe, 35th, 21-4; Ruston Parry, 37th, 18-9.