April 24-30 Issue

As the Russell County Varsity Team has had a week off from competing, the middle school team was busy competing Monday evening in cold and misty conditions.

The middle school team traveled to Rockcastle County Invitational to compete against ten other teams.

The efforts of Trevor Robertson earned him wins in each of his individual events and the Most Outstanding Athlete Award.

The award is given to the male and female participants of the meet that scores the most points.

Trevor scored thirty points out of forty possible; he won the 1600m. run (5:36), first in the 3200m. run (12:25), and first in the 800m. run (2:29). The times were slower than previous meets, but the running conditions were not the best to compete in to run a PR.

Trevor is also nationally ranked in the 1600m. run in the middle school level. He is ranked in the top 100 from all middle school boys in the entire United States.

“Trevor is an amazing distance runner and very competitive for his age.

His will and determination to improve and be the best is astonishing. I am very proud of him, and cannot wait to see what the rest of the season holds for him,” Coach Misty Matney said.

Allen Kemp also scored in the 800m. run as he placed third overall.

Tayler Ragle also participated in the meet doing well in his events after being out a week from practice. Kemp and Robert Bradshaw also did well in the long jump, as Bradshaw improved his jump by a foot. Also improving was Zak Schultz, as he threw shot put.

The middle school girl's team each received awards in their events.

There was not a single girl that did not earn a medal or ribbon for their efforts, Matney said.

Ally Harris was third in the 400m. (1:12) and fourth in the 800m. run (2:52).

Also to note that Alley is also national ranked in the 800m. with a previous time in the top 200 of the middle school level. It is a huge accomplishment to be ranked in the nation against every other state.

Selena Padilla is also ranked nationally in the 100m. hurdles. Harris also received a second place finish as she anchored the 4X400m. relay.

Other members of the 4X400 relay were Shelby Holder, Heather Flatt, and Selena Padilla. Holder also placed sixth in the 4X200 m. relay along with team members Erica Mann, McKenzie Back, and Tara Sayer.

The improvements with the middle school athletes increase in vast amounts week to week.

Each athlete is getting stronger and gaining confidence in their self.  

Matney said having some of the middle school athletes nationally ranked is something for these kids to be really proud of because it is not everyday someone gets in the national rankings from some of the best middle school athletes in the nation.

Since the middle school national rankings is only judged from middle school races, it is important that each race they run their best times.

Some of their best times this season have not been recorded because these kids also run varsity, and those times are not calculated into the middle school rankings.