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About Keizertimes. (Salem, Or.) 1979-current | View Entire Issue (May 7, 2021)
PAGE A20, KEIZERTIMES, MAY 7, 2021 Whiteaker, Claggett conclude track season It didn’t matter that team scores weren’t kept as Whiteaker and Claggett Creek Middle Schools track and fi eld teams sea- son came to an end on Thursday, April 29th. What did matter was that an outdoor track and fi eld sports season was had at all. The Keizer middle schools were allowed to compete in head-to-head fashion in two of their three dual meets this season. Athletes, coaches, parents and staff mem- bers created top-notch meets, which were held at McNary High School, and the per- formances of the athletes didn’t disappoint. Due to COVID-19 restrictions and metrics, the track and fi eld season had many hur- dles and turns to make it a success. “There were many days that we would just have to pivot with the team, adjust, and respond to the frequent changes to the guidelines, ” said Brad Kilgroe, Whiteaker’s head coach. “Literally, every week new rules and guidelines were given to us, and we rolled with it.” Luckily, middle school kids are resilient and handled adversity well. “Beginning at practice with the kids reminded me that, as long as they didn’t cancel our season, any change was doable,” Claggett Creek head coach Lisa Nichols said. Each team had a decline in numbers due to the pandemic but that didn’t slow them down. “Smaller team size did not stop our athletes from representing our schools in as many events as possible. Athletes were challenged by coaches to participate in events they would normally not have tried. Athletes always responded with ‘yes coach,'” said Nichols. Although the dual meets weren’t offi - cially scored head-to-head, all Salem-Keizer middle schools uploaded their results into a large “city-meet” style database, where athletes and families could see their results in their respective events compared to all other athletes, grades and schools across the city and state.. “We strongly believe that being involved in track and fi eld makes you not only a better athlete but a better person,” Kilgroe said. “No doubt in my mind that every athlete improved since the start, but we were led by a strong seventh grade girls group, who collectively have all the tools to make a great team.” After all the scores were uploaded throughout the city, Whiteaker’s girls 4x100 meter team (Rylie Smith, Savanna Walker, Kalo Utaatu, and Allie Mansur) emerged with the best overall time (56.54s) in the city as well as the best time in the girls 100m sprint (13.84s) champion in Allie Mansur. Other outstanding fi nishers at Whiteaker included Savanna Walker, Kalo Utaatu, and Bella Lucas (top 10 in the 200m), and Jocelyn Schnurbusch was a top fi ve fi nisher in both the 800m and 1500m events. Claggett Creek’s Asia St. John won the city title in the girls shot put with a toss of 34-feet-9 inches. Other notable fi nish- ers for Claggett Creek were Ashley West (top fi ve for the 100m) and Andrea Maciel Rodriguez and Cassidy Kerner, both top 10 fi nishers in the 1500m. “I’ve coached for many years, but this season was just diff erent in that athletes were fi nally back on campus competing after 13 months of being at home, parents were cheering loudly, athletes were having fun and the loudspeaker seemed to just have a diff erent vibe … without a doubt it was my best season.” said Kilgroe. “I am grateful that both cross country and track and fi eld were able to have sea- sons. I have missed working with kids in athletics and I know they’ve missed it too. Our athletes came to practice and gave their all day after day.” added Nichols. Whiteaker trackster Allie Mansur finishes first in the 100 meter dash. (Submitted) brainfood ANSWERS sudoku crossword Worship DIRECTORY These Salem-Keizer houses of worship invite you to visit. Call to list your church in our Worship Directory: 503-390-1051 www.KeizerChristian.org YOUR CHURCH'S LISTING HERE. Call Bill at 503.390.1051