State Bound!
Kaws send 4 athletes to State Track Meet
by Jeff Dickson
May 20, 2008
Perry-Lecompton's Fantastic Boy's and Girl's Track programs continue to churn out top athletes and top athletic performances. Evidenced by the Kaws sending four athletes to the State Track Meet in Wichita Friday and Saturday, May 23rd and 24th.
Returning to the state meet for the second consecutive time is sophomore Katie Hirsch, who will be trying to improve her placing and her time,building on her 2007 performance. This time around she will also be running the 800m at the meet after qualifying at regionals with a school record setting performance.
" Katie is in a great position to compete for medals and a championship. She has put in the work and it will be exciting to see what she does, " said Head Girl's Track Coach Justin Smith.
Filling out the field for the Kaw Ladies are Juniors Megan Elder and Andrea Phillips, both athletes coming off of fantastic summer workouts and track seasons to make their first appearance at the State Track Meet.
Megan will be competing in the Pole Vault where she won the 4A regional and is the PLHS school record holder and 100m Hurdles and Andrea will be competing in the Triple Jump.
" Megan finally broke through, after a couple of years of being 5th in the regional, she came through in a big way," said Coach Smith.
" Andrea worked extremely hard in the off season to prepare herself, she has overcome injuries during the season and it was gratifying to see her hard work pay off, " added Coach Smith.
" 4A State is the toughest class top to bottom and we are in a position to go compete for medals and championships. It will be an exciting two days," said Coach Smith.
The Boy's Track Team lone state participant is Junior Joel Gantz, who uncorked a career best throw of 50-7 in the shot put to place 3rd at regionals and earn his way to the State Track Meet.
" Joel is one of the most intense and hardest workers around and like our girls, his hard work has paid off. Now all of the kids can go out and have fun and enjoy the fruits of their labor, " said Head Boy's Track Coach Mike Paramore.
Here is the schedule for the Kaw Athletes at the State Track Meet. Please get out and support this amazing group of kids.
Friday May 24th
Joel Gant Shot Put @ 8:00
• Megan Elder Hurdle prelims @ 9:00
• Andrea Phillips TJ @ 9:45
Saturday May 25
• Megan Elder Pole Vault @ 8:00
• Katie Hirsch 1600 @ 1:00
• Katie Hirsch 800 @ 5:00
All events are taking place at Cessna Stadium on the campus of Wichita State University in Wichita Kansas.
State Track 2008 All Photos by Laura Hirsch
