By Krisi Leonard
The Surveyor

Jaycee Williams, a three-time state champion, is returning to Berthoud High School (BHS) for her senior season. Last year, Williams won the 800-meter run after placing second the previous two years. Her other two gold medals are from the 4×800-meter relay from 2021 and 2022.

She has already set personal records during the indoor season in the 400-meter dash. Two weeks ago, Williams anchored a medley relay that placed second at the Simplot Games in Idaho against regional teams from the western states.

Returning with Williams to the relays are also senior Paige Farnam and junior Sydney Slauson. Farnam’s specialty is the 200 and 400-meter dash. This season she is focusing on her sprinting and not participating in the long jump. The times she posted this winter have topped her previous season’s bests.

Ellie Harper worked throughout the fall to improve her strength and mental toughness to handle the grueling 400-meter dash and the 100 and 200-meter too.

Sydney Hardy and Myla Abillar are also returning from last year’s state relay squad. As is hurdler Brooke Nelsen who placed in both the 100-meter hurdles and 300-metere hurdle events at state. Nelsen will have a freshman to mentor this season. Nelsen and Libby Wilson play volleyball together and now will hurdle together.

Wilson won most of her middle school races by a large margin. Wilson set the Turner Middle School (TMS) record last year in the high jump at 5-foot 2-inches, a height which would have placed second at the 3A state meet last May.

Two other freshmen are worthing watching as well. Sofia Sigg can count on one hand the number of times she has not finished first or second in a race, long jump or triple jump event.
Head Track and Field Coach Blaine Voth has an embarrassment of riches on his 4×400-meter relay team this season with Williams, Farnam, Harper, Slauson and Sigg all in the mix in what will likely be a record breaking team.

Kiera Harris, another freshman, threw the shot put over 34 feet last spring to set the TMS record. Although the high school shot put is a little heavier, she could contribute to the point total at state. Sophomore

Audrey Gravestock, last season’s top freshman in the 3A discus throw, will be looking to make her second trip to state in the discus again.

The girls’ team placed third at the state championships last year. Only one scorer from that team, Gracie Flores (shot put), has graduated. All of the rest of the team is returning, so it is looking like Berthoud could be in the running for a state title this year.

The boys’ team has performed well over the past two years with a squad of mostly freshmen and sophomores. Now those boys are faster, stronger and more experienced juniors and seniors. This is the best boys team Berthoud has had since 2018. If Voth can recruit some of the football players to add to the core, the boys could be a top-five team at the state meet.

Senior Tate Bothun has been training throughout the winter and intends to add another state medal to the third-place one he earned in cross country last fall. Bothun has the potential to qualify for state in four long-distance events—the 800, 1600, 3200 and 4×800-meter relay.

He leads an assiduous squad of distance runners. Junior Scott Clark traded the BHS school record in the 1600-meter run with Bothun several times last spring. One week Clark would reset the record and the next week Bothun would lower it again. Bothun came out with the record in the end, but Clark is gunning for his name on the BHS record board this year. Afton Cooper and Aidan Malherbe have state experience racing in individual events and as members of the 4×800-meter relay.
Jayden Michaelis is returning with three state medals to his name. Michaelis has been one of the fastest freshmen and sophomores in the 300-meter hurdle event in the country for the past two years. Now, a

junior, he’ll be one of the favorites in the 300 and 100-meter hurdle events. Jayce Newbill is a sophomore hurdler and a high jumper who should score points at state too.

Trevor Moore is back for his senior year as a thrower. He placed fourth at state in the discus last year. Everett Peatrowsky, Zane Froien and Andre Chingren will also be the muscle behind the shot put and discus.

Alex Pygott, Braeden Moore and Bowen Kaspebauer return from the state qualifying relay teams.

Wyatt Barmes will continue to represent BHS on the baseball diamond and the track. Barmes specializes in the 400-meter dash, which fortunately is scheduled near the end of a track meet. As soon as his morning baseball game is over, Barmes rushes to the track to run one of the hardest races on the oval. Darin Davidson, Meyer DeKruif, Ethan Hoffmeister, Cole Bilek and Brody Hall will aid in the sprints and jumps.

The track team will open at home this Saturday at the Max Marr Invitational, with a 10 a.m. start for the meet. Voth said he is still looking for volunteers for field events and concessions. If you are interested in helping out, please contact Berthoud High School.