Cold and wind don’t bother G-H/V boys

It was a cold and windy season opener for the Garner-Hayfield/Ventura boys track team when they traveled to Clarion Friday, April 5, for the Cowboy Relays.  Despite temperatures hovering at around 45 degrees and 20-plus mph winds, the Cardinals were ready for some outdoor competition.

“No one complained about the weather, because everyone was excited to be racing,” said Head Coach Tracy Schmidt.

G-H/V finished the meet with 67 points, placing them fifth in the six-field class.  Iowa Falls-Alden won the meet with 119 points.

Braden Meints led the Cardinals by placing in four events.  He won the high jump and placed sixth in the 400 meter hurdles.  He also ran legs on the second place shuttle hurdle relay and the third place 4x200 meter relay.

Placing in three events were seniors Brad Nedved and Seth Williams, and juniors Joel Toppin and Adam Monson.

Toppin ran a personal best of 10:15.72 in the 3200 meter run for a first place finish.

“These four, along with Braden, did a super job leading our team tonight.  They know what it takes to do well at a meet and are great with our younger athletes,” said Schmidt.

Coach Schmidt was also pleased with the performances of a few freshmen.  Chase Smith placed second in the 3200 meter run, Sam Cataldo was sixth in the 110 high hurdles, and Nich Mehmen ran a solid lead-off leg for the 4x400 relay.

“We have 14 freshmen on the roster and we are looking for great things from them,” said Schmidt.

The Cardinals return to the track on Thursday, April 11, at Lake Mills and on Friday, April 12, at Forest City.  They also compete Monday and Tuesday next week, April 15 and 16.

Events placing at the 

Cowboy Relays:

•First Place:  Braden Meints, high jump, 5’10”; Joel Toppin, 3200 meter run, 10:15.72

•Second Place:  Chase Smith, 3200 meter run, 10:28.50; Shuttle Hurdle Relay, Brad Nedved, Zac Scholl, Meints, Seth Williams, 1:05.55

•Third Place:  Toppin, 1600 meter run, 4:53.39; 4x100 meter relay, Nedved, Adam Monson, Williams, Nic Tusha, 47.70; 4x200 meter relay, Monson, Nedved, Williams, Meints, 1:39.90

•Fourth Place:  4x400 meter relay, Nich Mehman, Toppin, Kevin Boehnke, Cataldo, 3:59.90

•Fifth Place:  A.J. Arnold, 1600 meter run, 5:14.66; Monson, long jump, 17’5”

•Sixth Place:  Corey Hauptman, 200 meter dash, 25.16; Cataldo, 110 high hurdles, 18.47; Meints, 400 hurdles, 1:04.71.