Outlaws break ice at Mountain View meet

The Outlaws track teams got the competitive season underway Wednesday, March 14 at the four-team Mountain View Icebreaker.

Early season meets rarely produce top marks, but they do provide athletes and coaching a baseline to measure from, according to Coach Charlie Kanzig.

"What we look for in a meet like this is competitiveness and effort," said Kanzig. "We get a chance to really observe the athletes in action."

While no records fell, a number of athletes proved their fitness, and finesse, in winning events.

Zoe Falk contributed to four victories while stepping a bit out of her normal routine. The defending 4A 800-meter champ won her specialty after anchoring the 4x100-meter relay, which she normally doesn't run. Falk also won the long jump (16 feet 1 inch) and ran the final leg of the 4x400-meter relay to conclude the meet.

Frances Payne picked up a pair of wins in the distances, capturing the 1,500 (5:35) and the 3,000 (12:32), while Alicia Haken won the high jump (4 feet 10 inches) and the triple jump (30 feet 6 inches).

Chelsea Reifschneider made easy work of both the 100 and 300 hurdles races in 18.48 seconds and 51.13 seconds respectively, while Sara Small took top honors in the pole vault (9 feet 6 inches).

Maddi Boettner joined Payne, Reifschneider, and Falk in winning the 4x400-meter relay (4:28.66) as well.

On the boys' side, Easton Curtis was a double winner in the 1,500 (4:35.75) and the 800 (2:09.79) and anchored the winning 4x400-meter relay team that also included Mason Calmettes, Brandon Pollard, and Landon Prescott.

While there were no other winners on the boys team, the squad showed a lot of depth in many events including the high jump, long jump, 1,500, and 800, according to Kanzig. In addition, although he took second, Andrew Snyder did establish a personal best in the pole vault with a fine early season clearance of 13 feet.

"The kids showed great team spirit and readiness, so our coaching staff is looking forward to continued improvement as the season really gets rolling after spring break," said Kanzig.

No team scores were kept for the meet.

The Outlaws were to compete Wednesday in a four-way meet at Summit and resume competition after spring break with the Sisters Rotary Invitational on Saturday, April 7.