Iola Middle School swept the top-team places for each of the eighth-grade boys, eighth-grade girls, seventh-grade boys and seventh-grade girls division in their small-school track meet.
The Ponies’ eighth-grade boys dominated the event. They earned first-place medals in all but one event.
“All the kids are doing great,” Iola coach Terry Lower said. “Everybody is doing a fantastic job of getting conditioned and ready to go for our long haul.”
Dan Foust finished first in three events, winning the 100-meter hurdles, the 100-meter dash and the 200-meter dash. The team earned 10 other first-place finishes, spreading them evenly amongst the team members: Royce Smith (400-meter dash), Calvin Delich (1600-meter run), Asher Sievers (800-meter run), Elijah Fawson (3200-meter run), Cason Barker (long jump), Gary Lower (shot put) and Christian Floyd (discus).
Iola also won all three relays.
THE PONIES seventh grade edged out Pleasanton 80-73 in the team race.
Isaac Badders earned three individual wins with victories in the 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash and long jump.
In addition to winning two relays, Iola had one other champion with Christian Lindsey winning the high jump.
THE IOLA eighth-grade girls leaned on a pair of athletes to score a majority of their points and push them to a team title.
Elysia Kunkler and Kelsey Morrison each won three events.
“(Kunkler) is one of our strongest people,” Lower said. “She is one of our captains and the high school is going to be very happy to have her out next year.”
Kunkler took top honors in the 100-meter dash, 400-meter dash and 100-meter hurdles. Morrison earned the top spot in the 800-meter run, high jump and 1600-meter run.
“This is Kelsey’s first out for track,” Lower said. “We are very happy she is out. She is a very athletic person.”
Chrissy Helman also finished with the top shot put throw of the day.
“Chrissy is someone that surprises you because she is so low-key, but she just comes out and competes,” Lower said.
RELAYS AND THROWING events were key for the Iola seventh-grade girls.
They won all three relays and Jena Miller and Andi Reynolds each finished first in the discus and shot put, respectively.
