Lady Warriors finish second at Lovell Invitational

Competing at the Lovell Invitational track and field meet on April 22, the Worland Lady Warriors finished second with 147 points.

Powell swept the meet, winning both girls and boys divisions. The Powell girls scored 198 points, and the boys 172 points.

"They got second to Powell," said WHS track and field coach Tracey Wiley. "It gives them something to strive for every week. Powell has a tremendous team. They were state champions last year and have another good team this year. We are plotting and twisting, trying to get kids more points and different events."

The Lady Warriors had seven athletes score 15 or more points in Lovell. Cherise Douzenis led the way with 28 points. Anna Richardson was second with 19 points, followed by Shae Whitlock with 18 points, Manaia Peterson with 18 points, Maddy Lloyd with 18 points, Zena Tapia with 16 points and Erika Manahan with 15 points.

Douzenis qualified in the long jump in Lovell when she finished second with a leap of 16-0. She's also qualified for state in the 200-meter and 400-meter dashes.

Maddy Lloyd qualified in the 100-meter dash when she crossed the finish line at 13.4 to finish second.

Manaia Peterson had already qualified for state in the discus but won the discus by throwing a season-best and Lovell Invitational record 113-6.

"Cherise AQ'd in the long jump and has AQ'd in three events so far. It's just really exciting to see her grow; every meet, she's getting better. It was beneficial for her to be in the indoor program. Maddy Lloyd AQ'd in the 100. She's been trying for that for the last three meets. It's been exciting. She's been to state before, but you're still excited for those kids. They know what it takes as a junior, and every meet and practice, we talk about it, and she got it. So it was pretty cool.

"Manaia threw 108-9 last week, and she was excited because that got her the AQ. But in Lovell, she threw a 113-6. She has performed like a champion since she was a freshman and has been to state the last two years. She knows what she needs to do to get up on the podium at state and bring home some medals," said Wiley.

Among the Lady Warriors, other highlights in Lovell were Douzenis winning the 200-meter dash (26.62) and the 400-meter dash (1:00.76); Lloyd was third in the 200-meter dash (27.69); Zena Tapia won the 3200-meter run(11:53.88); Anna Richardson won the 100-meter hurdles (17.34); Shae Whitlock was second (51.75) and Richardson fourth (52.20) in the 300-meter hurdles; Erika Manahan was third in the long jump (15-8.5); Madilyn Glanz was second (32-2) and Janie Barnes fourth (30-6) in the triple jump; Peterson was second in the shot put (35-2.25).

Trajn Swalstad had the Warriors top highlight in Lovell. The sophomore distance runner wanted to run under the 10-minute mark in the 3200 meters and did just that in Lovell, winning the race with a time of 9:57.33.

Swalstad breaking the 10-minute barrier wasn't just celebrated amongst his teammates and coaches but opposing coaches too.

"Trajn is determined. His goal was to break 10 in the two-mile, and he broke it 9:57.33. There was a lot of celebrating between him trying to catch his breath. There were other coaches standing there excited for him," said Wiley. "I've got coaches from other towns texting me wanting to know what Zena and Trajn are running in. They just want the best, to compete against their kids. That shows a lot for these kids when you have the respect from the other coaches from other towns."

Senior distance runner Jack Bishop also had an excellent day in Lovell. Bishop finished second in the 800-meter (2:06.56) and second in the 3200-meter runs(10:50.09).

"Jack Bishop continues to get better in his events. He's my senior leader, and boy, does he lead by example. Those kids are just right on his heels, and he is just a good senior leader to practice against. Super proud of him and what he did in the 800 and 3200," said Wiley.

Other Warrior standouts from Lovell include Angel Ruelas, who finished third in the 100-meter dash; Dawson Utterback finishing third in the 300-meter hurdles and Cale Cheatham, coming in fourth in the long jump (19-7).

Both teams also have athletes who are on the verge of qualifying. Lady Warrior Madilyn Glanz is one good jump away from punching her ticket to state in the triple jump.

"It's just finishing her third phase. She's got her first and second phases down good. I know Coach [Rob] Woffinden has some plans this week to get those kids to work on that. Janie Barnes, a freshman, pulled a 30-6. That was a big year for her. With only being a freshman, we got big, big hopes for her for another three years and Madilyn for another two years," said Wiley. "It's just about finishing and getting that consistency in practice down. Madilyn knows she can jump 33. She's a competitor and an athlete and very coachable."

This Saturday, Worland is in Riverton for the Roy Peck Invitational. With the postseason three weeks away, the Worland athletes continue to hone the finer details of their events along with upping their conditioning.

"The kids always like to compete in Riverton. They're saying the track is fast, and they just like to go down there and compete. Hopefully, we'll see some South schools come up and get some different competition. We're hitting it hard conditioning-wise this week. Sprinters will work on blocks more and do more of the hurdle drills. Coach [Tammy] Montoya has the distance kids running repeats. The jumpers are breaking things down," said Wiley. "I'm looking forward to seeing what these kids can do Saturday."