Sole junior track star advances to state meet

The girls track team traveled to Abilene last Friday and Saturday to compete in the regional track meet.

Junior Arin Rice placed first in the 1600 meter race and second in the 800 meter race by one-one hundredth of a second and will represent Canyon in Austin next Friday and Saturday in the state meet.

“It’s always an honor to move on to state,” Rice said. “But I do wish that I had a teammate going on with me.”

Rice said that she had been sick earlier in the week and was skeptical about how she would perform at the regional meet.

“I was happy that I actually qualified, because it was actually a really bad day for me racing,” Rice said.

Rice competed at the state meet last year and placed first in the 800 meter race and third in the 1600 meter race.

“I expect to run pretty fast times at state,” Rice said. “I am hoping to break the state meet record in the 1600.”

Senior seals season with two gold medals

Senior Michael Stigler competed Friday, May 13 for his second and third gold medals at the State UIL Track Meet in the 110 meter hurdles and the 300 meter hurdles.

Stigler said 110 meter hurdles proved to be the most challenging. Stigler had to face the memory of being disqualified his sophomore year after tripping on a hurdle. After two years of preparation and hard concentration, Stigler was ready to fight for his gold medal. 

With a time of 13.67 seconds, Stigler won the state track meet and redeemed himself.

“I was going crazy,” Stigler said. “The first race was the best feeling in the world.”

Less than two hours later, Stigler raced in the 300 meter hurdles where he finished first with the time of 37.02, winning the race for the second year in a row.

 “It was a great feeling winning both,” Stigler said. “I can’t describe the joy and excitement I felt.”

Stigler will begin his college track career at the University of Kansas in the fall after representing Texas runners in the Greater Southwest Track and Field Classic in June.

Runners advance to regionals

The Lady Eagle Track team won their District 3-4A this past weekend in Pampa.  Eleven of these girls will move on to compete in San Angelo in the regional meet on May 3-4. Competitors advancing include Olivia Martinez in the 800 m, Caitlin Gilmore in the 4×2, 400, and 4×4, Kateland Maddox in the 4×4 and 4×2, Tori Sills in the 4×2, CJ Frizzell in pole vault, 4×1, 4×2, and 4×4, Abby Behrens in the 100H and 300H, Haley Matlack in the 100H and 300H, Kyndal Davis in the 100m, 4×2, and 4×4, Arin Rice in the 800m and 4×4,  Maya Jones in the 4×1, and Kelsie Blanks in the 4×1. 

The JV girls team placed second overall for their best finish in a district meet.

The boys track team finished 2nd overall with several athletes qualifying for the regional meet.  Those boys include Will Welling in the 3200, Keevyn Anderson in the 1600, Jared Beatty and Jason Ray in the 800m, Micheal Stigler in the 300 and 110 Hurdles, Blake Boyer in pole vaulting and Ryan Baca in the 100m.

Track girls use running shoes to raise funds

The girl’s track team will purchase new equipment after carhopping as a fundraiser at Sonic in Canyon.

Seventeen girls became employees at Sonic on Oct. 17, working for tips and bringing out food, filling trays, and much more.  Donations were anything from 3 cents to $70.

“They learned how to deal with the public and work as a team for a common cause,” Coach Deedy Grimes said.  “Kids find out that people are willing to help.”

The event was publicized and raised over $500.

“We promoted through radio, online paper, school announcements, and word of mouth,” Grimes said.  “It was a success.  I would definitely do it again.”

Sophomore Abby Behrens contributed to the cause and said the fundraiser was creative and enjoyable.

“I think it’s a very good way to raise money,” Behrens said.  “It was harder than expected.  It’s different and fun.”

Donations are still being accepted and t-shirts will go on sale in December.