NINE LIVES

—Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Humboldt’s Kendal Clark competes in the discus throw during the Wildcat Relays on Monday. For more photos, visit CU at messengernews.net

HUMBOLDT — The Humboldt girls track team flexed their muscle here Monday night, running away with the title at the Wildcat Relays.

Behind nine event champions, Humboldt scored 190 points. North Central Conference rival Algona was second with 125.5 followed by Hampton-Dumont, Webster City, Southeast Valley, Pocahontas Area and St. Edmond.

Bryce Gidel picked up four golds, including two individual events. Gidel won the 1500 and 3000, just clipping Algona’s Ashlin Young in the 1500.

Gidel finished in 5:11.76, with Young crossing the line in 5:11.85.

She also was the anchor on both the 4×400 and distance medley relays. The 4×400 of Paige DeWinter, Mady Lange, Lily Groat and Gidel went 4:31.13, with the distance medley of Lange, Claire Varangkounh, Kirstyn Beaman and Gidel finishing in 4:34.12.

“Nothing beats coming down the final stretch hearing the support of the home crowd,” Gidel said. “It wasn’t the best night to sit outside with the cold and rain which makes me even more appreciative of everyone that sat through it to cheer us on.”

Gidel, who has spent the better part of three years running all over the state in both track and cross country, also noted the Humboldt athletic staff for their efforts.

“Mr. (Greg) Thomas and his staff always run the meet very well, keeping races moving and on time,” she said. “Another reason I look forward to this meet is because of the great job Mr. (Doug) VanPelt does announcing. He gives constant updates during the races and even background on all of the runners.”

DeWinter also won the 200 in 27.45, Groat claimed the 400 hurdles in 1:12.25 and Kendal Clark the discus with a toss of 123-9.

Carlie Thompson, Morgan Olson, Lange and DeWinter were first in the sprint medley (2:01.45), with Jori Hajek, Varangkounh, Kailee Dettmann and Groat placing first in the shuttle hurdle (1:09.80).

Gidel scored 25 points for the Wildcats and Groat accounted for 20. Humboldt had 17 different runners score points towards the team title.

St. Edmond’s 4×800 of Caroline Shelly, Emma Alstott, Aleksandria Aljets and Aubrey Bemrich claimed gold with a time of 11:05.51.

Abby Landwehr added a second in the 3000 and picked up bronze in the 1500.

Southeast Valley’s Kiersten Fisher was a double-winner, capturing both the 100 in 13.30 and 100 hurdles in 15.95.

Kaylee Shivers from Pocahontas Area cleared 5-foot to win the high jump and Ashlyn Hay of Webster City jumped 17-1.5 in the long jump, with Algona’s Carley Mullins (800), Kam Etherington (shot put) and the Bulldog 4×100 all placing first.

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