WICHITA — Drew Wilhite saved his best for last Saturday.
The Humboldt High junior capped his 2021 track and field season by nabbing the silver medal in the 800-meter run at the Class 2A Track Meet in Wichita.
Wilhite finished in a personal-best time of 2 minutes, .57 seconds.
He pushed to the front of the pack within the first 100 meters, and stayed within a second of eventual race champion Cody Zimmerman of Oakley.
And that was after wondering if he’d get to compete at all.
“Drew was battling some sickness and we were not even sure he would compete,” head coach Eric Carlson said. “But he gutted out his 800, earned a new PR by 4 seconds, and earned a second place medal.”
On top of that, Wilhite placed 11th in the high jump, clearing 5 feet, 8 inches.
Also picking up a medal for Humboldt was senior Jada Dangerfield.
She took eighth in the girls shot put at 34’4.75”.
Others competing at state for Humboldt were Jessica Myers, who placed 12th in the long jump; Levi McGowen and Drake Harrington, who finished 14th and 15th, respectively, in the triple jump; Maddox Johnson, who took 14th in the discus; Mateo Miller, 15th in the 300-meter hurdles.
Humboldt also had a busy day with relays. The quartet of Ella Lassman, Myers, Dangerfield and Zoey Wilson combined to place 13th in the 4×400-meter relay and 14th in the 4×100-meter relay.
On the boys’ side, McGowen, Drew Counsil, Sam Neeley and Harrington teamed to take 13th in the 4×800. Harrington, McGowen, Javyn Hess and Neeley placed 15th in the 4×400.
Humboldt’s 4×100-meter squad of Aiden Gean, McGowen, Counsil and Harrington saw their hopes for a medal sunk with a bad baton exchange, thus netting them a disqualification.
“Although we would have liked to medal in all events, nearly every individual or relay improved on their rank coming in,” Carlson said. “I was proud of our kids and thrilled that Jada and Drew earned a medal.”
Yates Center High’s Liberty Cavender also was a part of the activities. She placed 16th in the 2A girls 100-meter hurdles.
