Simonson makes divisional round four staight years

The Whitewater Penguin girls track team has had a strong campaign this season. That continued last Thursday at the District 3C meet in Glasgow as the team took second place with 97 points. All eight athletes qualified for the next level, the Eastern C Divisionals in Glasgow tomorrow.

The team was led on that cold and windy day by senior Kourtney Simonson, who won the 800 with a time of two minutes, 35.9 seconds. Simonson's closest opponent was fifteen seconds behind her.

This is Simonson's fourth year making it into the divisional meet.

"Lots of times with girls, it doesn't always happen," Simonson said.

With cold and windy conditions similar to the Whitewater meet held a couple of weeks ago, Simonson admitted it was easier to run in Glasgow.

"It was better, I felt like I have more air and it felt much better than last week," Simonson said.

Simonson took second in the 400 with a time of 1:07.9.

Tatum Moore took first in the long jump with a leap of 13 feet, 11 and one half, a new best for Moore.

Kayleigh Cummings took first in shot put after a throw of 28-06.50. She also placed sixth in discus with a throw of 72-11, seventh in the 3200 with a time of 16:52.8 and eighth in javelin with a throw of 84-3.

Keira Simonson took second in discus with a throw of 84-9, which was two inches short of taking first place.

Ke. Simonson surprised herself and everyone who watched her throw an 85-03 in javelin. It was the first time she had ever participated and she placed seventh, good enough to reach divisionals.

"This was the last track meet to try it," Keira said. "I wanted to try it but I never could and finally I tried it on Monday's and Tuesday's practices and threw it today."

For her first try ever, her mark was impressive.

"I felt awesome," Keira said. "Javelin is fun, I wish I would've tried it sooner."

Angel Tovar took fourth in the 100 hurdles after reaching the finish line at 21.0 seconds. Tovar also took sixth in the 400 with a time of 1:29.5.

Alexandria Santillan finished seventh in the 400 with a time of 1:46.

Serena Sanguins qualified for divisionals in shot put with a throw of 23-09 and in the 400 with a time of 1:58.

Larimie Scheffelmear placed second in the 3200 with a time of 15:04.1. This was after Scheffelmear also placed third in the 1600 with a time of 6:42.7.

When asked how someone can keep warm on such a cold and windy day, Scheffelmear admitted that it was impossible.

"You don't," she said. "During the second or third lap my arms and legs were numb but then I thought at least I won't feel any pain in my body when I sprint the last part of it."

When asked about her strategy to make it through the meet, Scheffelmear said, "Not die. I just gotta start out strong so when I'm in the middle and I start to die I can keep my pace up a little better."

She kept going saying that the middle laps are the ones that can slow you down the most.

"You lose track and think, When am I done? This is awful," Scheffelmear said. "Then you get to the last two laps and think I'm almost done! Then you pick it up."