Finding the perfect athlete for the perfect event isn’t easy during track season. Coach Jeremy Wilhelm is still tinkering with his lineup, but the Pioneers and Lady Pioneers seem to be responding well to the challenge.
Warren County had a number of top finishers last week when the team traveled to Signal Mountain to compete in the Eagle’s Nest Invitational. With 14 schools in attendance and hundreds of athletes competing, the Pioneers and Lady Pioneers got a big test on their ability to compete against the best in the state.
Wilhelm believes his teams showed they belonged.
“We did some different athletes in some different events just to see how they did,” said Wilhelm. “It was a very competitive meet – a loaded fied of really good athletes in every event. We ran some different relay teams just to see how the chemistry went and I was pleased with some of the results.
“Our relay teams are continuing to grow and improve and we have some young athletes showing they can run good times.”
Relay was where Warren County had its top results in earlier meets in Cookeville and nothing changed when the team went to Signal Mountain. The Pioneers had top-five finishes in the 4x200 (second), 4x800 (fourth) and 4x400 (fifth). The girls also had a top-five finish, taking fourth in the 4x800.
Luke Saldana was the star in the field events for the Pioneers, taking top honors in shot put and finishing fourth in discus. Saldana topped the field in shot put – including teammate Lukas Bernhardt– with a throw of 41 feet, 0.5 inches. Bernhardt was just behind with a toss of 40’2.5” to finish third.
Adan Looper showed out for the Pioneers in the long jump, soaring 18’10.75” to finish third. Amara Ellison, who was able to clear 30’3.5” in the triple jump, earned a fourth-place finish for the Lady Pioneers.
Mixing and matching has been possible due to the growth of the sport at Warren County (which also includes DeKalb County athletes who co-op with the local program). Wilhelm says the numbers have pushed past 60 athletes in the last two seasons, nearly doubling the rosters from recent years.
“It has been fun and rewarding watching these athletes grow over the last two seasons and see all the improvements they have made,” said Wilhelm.
Warren County will be back in action next Tuesday, April 9 at Wilson County.
