Shot putters shine at state

WICHITA — Area high school athletes have become really good at throwing a little steel round ball.

In fact, better than most in Kansas. Six prep athletes garnered state medals this past weekend in the shot put at the state track meet in Wichita.

Three Ottawa High School and three Central Heights shot putters shined in the ring. A state champion and two runner-ups emerged among the medalists.

“There are some good shot putters in the area,” Central Heights coach Kevin Tooley said. “The main thing is they came out and competed.”

Ottawa coach Mark Laws said all of the shot putters had good days at state.

“They may not have thrown their best, but they can be proud of what they did,” Laws said.

Ottawa sophomore Kearston Peoples, who has the state’s all-time girls best mark of 49 feet, 10.5 inches, won the 4A girls shot put Friday at 45-2.5.

Ottawa senior Sam Blecha was state runner-up in 4A boys at 52-8.5. Cyclone senior Brandon Turner was fifth at 50-8.

Central Heights senior Jerimiah Wingate was runner-up in 3A boys at 53-3.

On Saturday, Central Heights’ Kayla Schwab took fifth in the girls 3A event at 37-4.5 and Marissa Cox was sixth at 37-3.5.

Both coaches said the athletes wanted better distances.

For Peoples, it was her coming-out party. Laws said the fans flocked to the shot put area to see her after her mammoth throw at regionals.

“Her expectations are high,” Laws said. “She can be the first 50-foot shot putter in Kansas.”

Laws said both boys placing was fantastic.

“They have been consistent performers for us,” he said. “We will miss them.”

Wingate competed with a sore wrist that has been bothering him for about a month. Tooley said the Viking senior was disappointed that he could not defend his title he won a year ago.

“Still all things considered, 53-3 is not bad,” Tooley said. “You have to leave it all out here.”

There were other successes in the field events. Ottawa’s Kara McFarland finished fourth in the 4A girls discus at 129-3. Central Heights’ Monica Wuertz was third in the 3A girls javelin at 126-5.

Wellsville’s Kylie Hoffman was sixth in the 3A girls pole vault at 9-0. Wellsville’s Sara Calvert took sixth in the 3A girls discus at 112-6.

Wellsville senior Carrie Shirk was fifth in the 3A girls triple jump at 35-8.5, which broke her own school record.

Anderson County’s Paige Rockers was seventh in the 4A girls triple jump at 35-1.

For McFarland, it was a bit of redemption after not making the finals a year ago.

Laws said that was in the back of her mind, but the Ottawa junior came through with consistent throws.

Rush medals again

Wellsville senior Meghan Rush is used to the state track meet. She qualified for 15 of a possible 16 events during her four-year career.

On Saturday, she closed out her career by helping lead the Wellsville girls 400-meter relay team to fourth at 51.35 seconds. It was the fifth straight year the Eagles have medaled in that event at the state meet.

For Rush, it was her fifth state medal. She has four from the 400 relay and the other is in the 200 from last season.

“It is an honor,” Rush said about competing at state. “It is cool. It is exciting.”

Wellsville coach Chuck Rutledge said Rush is a solid leader and competitor.

“We have a good bunch of kids,” Rutledge said. “We did about as good as we hoped for. I am pleased.

“It has been a fun season.”

Greg Mast can be reached at sports@ottawaherald.com.