WICHITA — Austin Deer clutched his chest. He had actually done it, after all.
The Marmaton Valley senior had his doubts if he would come away from state with any hardware after finishing eighth in his 100-meter dash heat. As it turned out, Deer and the other members of the second heat all earned medals.
“I didn’t think I was going to get in there at all,” Deer said. “Once he said I got eighth, I was breath-taken. I was afraid I didn’t get anything.”
The eighth-place medal is Deer’s first at state and it caps a very decorated career for Deer at Marmaton Valley. Deer had school records and league titles, but his performance at state will be something that he will point to as a career highlight.
“Hardware is hardware,” Deer said.
Marmaton Valley Assistant Coach Dan Uhlrich said Deer will be a tough one to replace on next year’s version of the Wildcats.
“Austin accomplished so many things. He broke the 100-meter record at the school which had stood since 1965, he tied the 200-meter record that was held since 1965, as well,” Uhlrich said. “He should be really happy with what he accomplished this year.”
Deer also ran the 200-meter dash and took 13th in that event.
In addition to Deer, the Marmaton Valley boy’s team sent Brady Newman to Wichita.
The senior took ninth in the high jump and ended up just short of a state medal. Only the first eight get to take the podium.
“He was so close,” Uhlrich said. “Just barely not getting that has got to be frustrating but he has accomplished a lot throughout his career.”
YOUNG WILDCAT GIRLS’ TEAM GROWS
The Wildcats featured a very young girls’ team in 2016, but despite its youth, the team was able to qualify four athletes for the state meet.
“We still have work to do, but they definitely got a taste of (state),” Uhlrich said.
Savanna Puckett led the group after winning the regional championship in the 200-meter dash.
The freshman brought one of her best efforts of the season to the state meet, but learned how much room she has still to grow. Her 27.47 time earned her 13th place.
