By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Junior Jackson Esquibel claimed two of Shawhee Heights' four wins on the night as the T-Birds captured the United Kansas Conference boys track and field team championship by a 111-105 margin over Basehor-Linwood Friday night at De Soto.
Shawnee Heights junior Jackson Esquibel won UKC titles in the 800 and 1,600 to lead the T-Birds to the team title while Topeka West senior Lenny Njoroge won the 3,200 and was second in the 1,600. [File photo/TSN]
Esquibel won the 1,600 meters in 4 minutes, 20.46 seconds and followed that up with a win in the 800 in 2:00.67, while Shawnee Heights also got a win from junior Alex Dittman in the javelin (160-8) and from sophomore Tyler Wedl in the pole vault (11-6).
T-Bird senior sprint star Jeremiah Smith returned from a leg injury to make his season debut, finishing second in the 100-meter dash in a photo finish in 10.74 seconds and taking second in the 200 in 22.35.
Shawnee Heights also picked up a runnerup finish from senior Jordan Garvin in the 300 hurdles (40.26).
Seaman notched a win in the boys 4x800 relay in 8:21.89 while junior Aaron Merritt was second in the 110-meter hurdles (15.24) and senior Sean Miller finished second in the shot put at 49 feet, 7 inches.
Topeka West senior Lenny Njjoroge won the 3,200 in 9:33.69 after finishing second in the 1,600 in 4:21.51 while Charger sophomore Alesecio Batson won the triple jump in 45 feet, 9.50 inches and senior Zachary Hulse finished secon in the javelin at 154-4.
On the girls side, host De Soto claimed the team title by a 159-128.50 margin over Seaman.
Seaman freshman Ryin Miller won the UKC title in the girls 1,600, helping the Vikings finish second as a team. [File photo/TSN]
Freshman Ryin Miller won the 1,600-meter title in 5:24.05 while defending state champ Bethany Druse won the 800 in 2:19.49.
Seaman also won the 4x800 relay in 10:14.02 and took second in the 4x400 relay in 4:09.14.
Seaman senior Leah Spurlock finished second in the 3,200 in 12:36.84 while sophomore Jaida Stallbaumer was second in the 100 hurdles (16.17) and the 300 hurdles (48.75).
Topeka West senior Ala'Jah Brooks was a double individual gold medalist, winning the 200-meter dash in 25.39 seconds and the 400 in 59.14, while Charger freshman Payton Rice won the 3,200 in 12:26.71.
West senior MaKinsey Jones was the runnerup in the high jump, clearing 5 feet, 2 inches.
Shawnee Heights got a win from senior Brynne Liedtke in the pole vault, with Liedtke clearing 9-6.
Silver Lake sweeps Mid-East team titles
Silver Lake's track and field teams dominated Friday's Mid-East League meet at Riley County, with the Eagle boys winning by a 183-128 margin over Rock Creek and the girls winning by a 172-133.50 count over Riley County.
Sophomore Jared Johnson won the Mid-East League title in the high jump, helping the Eagles win the team championship. [File photo/TSN]
The Eagles got league titles from sophomore Trent Rollenhagen in the 200-meter dash in 23.63 seconds, sophomore Evan Scheid in the 400 (52.68), sophomore Aemon Coffman in the 3,200 (11:21.43), sophomore Jared Johnson in the high jump (5-10) and junior Blake Redmond in the long jump (21-2.50).
Silver Lake won the 4x100 relay in 44.16 and the 4x400 in 3:37.60 and finished second in the 4x800 (8:56.73).
Rollenhagen finished second in the 100 (11.83) while Scheid was second in the 200 (23.84), senior Mason Brokaw in the 800 (2:06.24), junior Spencer Johnson in the 110 hurdles (17.49), sophomore Deondre Razzano in the triple jump (40-10) and senior Carter Robert in the discus (112-2).
Rossville junior Barret Lietz was the runnerup in the javelin (138-6).
Silver Lake's girls got individual wins from junior Kaibryn Kruger in the long jump (16-10) and the triple jump (35-0), from sophomore Ellen Doty in the pole vault (7-0) and junior Ava Rottinghaus in the javelin (124-9).
The Eagles won the 4x100 relay (50.99) and the 4x800 (10:54.66).
Senior Mariah Farmer finished second in the 1,600 (5:40.20), junior Sarah Wehrli second in the 100 hurdles (17.78), senior Lauren McCaffrey secon in the 300 hurdles (50.30), freshman Journey Manhart in the high jump (5-2) and junior Kaylee Deiter in the long jump (97-10).
Rossville junior Amelia Foster won the Mid-East League title in the girls 400-meter dash Friday at Riley County. [File photo/TSN]
Rossville senior Amelia Foster won the girls 400-meter dash in 62.32 seconds and finished second in the 800 meters (2:32.07).
