Bobcats post school track records Saturday

Four members of the Thermopolis High Track and Field team posted a school record during the Jerry Campbell Invite at Buffalo on April 2.

The team of Cody Bjorhus, Tyler Cornwell, Jacob Hart and Domanic Jensen took a time of 44.76, as well as first place, in the 4x100 relay. The time is an automatic qualifier for State.

The meet saw a few personal records as well, with Jensen's time of 23.89 eighth place time in the 200 meters, Ethan Becher's 46.21 seventh place time in the 300 meter hurdles and Justin Kaitchuck's 6:22.78 in the 1,600 meters.

For the girls, Elizabeth Rhodes set two personal records with 29' 6" in the shot put and 90' 11" in the discus.

The girls placed 10th of 16 teams, with 16 points won by Jules Ward.

Ward also won first in the 3,200 meters with 12:16.25, automatically qualifying her for State, and third in the 1,600 meters, with 5:33.87.

The boys team was fifth of 16 teams, with 56.5 points, as follows:

Cody Bjorhus - 16.5 points. Bjorhus also won: third in the 100 meters with a time of 11.63, fourth in the 200 meters with 23.61 and sixth in the pole vault with a height of 11' 1". His 100 meters time also qualifies him for State.

Tyler Cornwell - 14.5 points. Also: fourth in the shot put with a distance of 45' 1", fifth in the triple jump with 39' 7.5" and sixth in the long jump with 19' 4". The shot put distance automatically qualifies him for State.

Jacob Hart - 13.125 points. Also: fifth in the 400 meters with 53.23, third in the 200 meters with 23.29. His 200 meters time qualifies him for State. Hart was also a member of the 4x400 relay team that won sixth with 3:44.53

Domanic Jensen - 4.625 points. Also: eighth in the 200 meters with 23.89 and eighth in the 400 meters with 54.25. Jensen was also amember of the 4x400 relay team.

Ethan Becher won 3.875 points, and was on the 4x400 relay team, and the 4x800 relay team that won fourth with 9:20.30.

Alex Jensen won 3.25 points. Also seventh in the 3,200 meters with 12:47, and he was a member of the 4x800 relay team.

Cullen Becher won 1.25 points, and was part of the 4x800 relay team.

Kolby George won 1.25 points, and was part of the 4x800 relay team.

Chandler Maddock won .625 points, and was part of the 4x400 relay team.

Coach Ernie Mecca said it was a great day for the weather and for track. He noted they are not competing as a full team due to spring break, which is a likely scenario for the next two meets.

Getting the students qualified for State, Mecca said, is a big hurdle. Doing so early also helps ensure there are competitors in case anyone happens to get sick.

The 4x100 relay team broke the 2014 school record, and it was the first time this team ran together, Mecca said. Cornwell and Jensen were part of the 2014 record-setting team.

Mecca encourages students to break their personal records, but noted not having full teams is something of a detriment. The girls team, he pointed out, is unable to run relays.

Currently in the heart of conditioning, Mecca is sure the team will improve, but added Saturday was a good day.

The Bobcats will next compete at D & D Invite at Worland Thursday beginning at 2 p.m. and the LAK Invite at Powell Saturday beginning at 9 a.m.