CHELSEA MONTES • Provided to Great Basin Sun
Emma Blondheim competes in the long jump at the Battle Mountain Invitational last Friday.
Blink and you'll miss them. The Pershing County High School track and field team set 23 new personal records at the Battle Mountain Invitational last Friday.
However, one of their favorite events was just for fun.
Some hosts offer an unofficial race for the shot putters and discus throwers called "thrower's relay."
"This was our second one this year," coach Chelsea Montes said. "Dayton always does it too. The kids think it's a fun way to wrap up a long day."
She reported that Howard Mitchell was second runner in the relay and found a new passion for running.
CHELSEA MONTES • Provided to Great Basin Sun
Bryan Lora runs in the "throwers event" as Ashton Jimenez runs alongside him with a cookie
He will be practicing some running events next week.
Mitchell also set a personal record for throwing the discus over 63 feet (63-6). He and fellow freshman Bryan Lora represented the Mustangs in the boys throwing events.
Gibson places first in the 400 meters and 800 meters.
Angelo Gibson, a junior, placed first in the 400 meters and 800 meters against over 30 competitors in each race.
"Combined with his role as anchor in the 4x400 and 4x800, Angelo took home gold in everything he did," said coach Ben Halverson.
"This kid is on fire. He PRs almost every race and is so much fun to watch," said Montes.
Pershing County boys sweep relays
"With it being the start of Spring Break, we were short a few competitors. It created an opportunity for others to fill some roles they don't always get to. It also allowed us to showcase our program's depth," said Halverson.
The boys were without Josiah Hunt, the 2A North's top-rated sprinter. However, they did not let that stop them from winning every relay race.
"It was nice to have Izayuh McGlothin back as he was a big part of the 4x100 and 4x200 races. He had been limited in past weeks managing some lower leg issues," Halverson said.
Ashton Jimenez stepped up to run his first 200 of the year. Battle Mountain and Lowry came in second and third respectively in the 100 meters, 200 meters and 400 meters.
Jorden Fritch and Ramon Sanchez tied at 5:36 in the 1600-meter race. Aaron Zelaya ran 5:58. Besides coming in at under six minutes, all three set new PRs in the event.
Montes places second in 400 meters
Khloe Montes finished fractions of a second behind a Lowry sophomore in the 400 meters race. Montes, a freshman volleyball and basketball standout, brought home the silver medal and a new personal record.
Every PCHS girl who ran the 100m race set a new PR. They were Kenya Vaughan (14.21), Elizabeth Nava Gonzalez (14.57) and Chelsea Woodard (14.82).
Woodard also PRd in the 200m. Emma Blondheim PRd in the 400m.
The girls placed third in the 4x100 and 4x200 relays.
Other PRs from the girls included Magdalena Ramirez (shot put and discus), Ariana Garcia (discus) and Nayeli Acosta (long jump).
What's next?
The track team competes in Fernley on Friday, April 12. Friday April 19, they'll host the annual Lovelock Invitational. The coaches and athletes hope for a huge turnout on their home track.
"It is so much fun coaching these kids. They're all so positive and great teammates for each other," Montes said.