By Kristi Leonard

The Surveyor

At Saturday’s season opening Thornton Early Bird meet, Berthoud High School’s track team looks to be right where expected for the beginning of the season, when comparing marks with those from other schools and meets around the state. A number of athletes were missing due to the spring break, but there were other schools that were shorthanded as well. Berthoud’s boys finished in third place and the girls placed fifth.

Photo By Tiffany Rafferty – Freshman Ellie Sundheim begins her first high school season as senior Alyssa Radloff begins her last high school season running together in the 1600 meter run at the Thornton Early Bird track meet last Saturday.

“For most of the meet Berthoud combined (male and female) was in first place,” commented Coach Colby Schultz. “At the end of the meet we didn’t have any 3200 runners and scratched the mile relay teams to prevent injuries, but the kids stepped up and did what they had to do. It was a good first meet.”

Caleb Kelly won the shot put and Zak Starkey placed sixth in the discus. In the girls shot put Celsey Selland was fourth, Casady Berry was sixth and Kailey Berry was eighth. Kailey Berry and Selland tied for seventh place in the discus. This group scored close to as many points in the first meet as the throwers did all last season. One year of maturity and hard work during the off season has definitely paid benefits.

Berthoud is known for having strong jumpers and sprinters, and Alyssa Bailey continued that tradition. The sophomore won the long jump and placed third in the 100 meters. Morgan Kenner was third in the long jump and McKayla Milan was fourth in the triple jump. Emma Briles placed third in the pole vault, the first time she has competed in the event. Brock Voth placed second in the triple jump, Connor Siruta was third in the high jump, and Ryan Schmad was third in the 200 dash. Julianne Evans Dennison was sixth and Kathryn Mathiesen was eighth in the 400.

Samantha Mulder won the 100 hurdles and placed second in the 300 hurdles. Andrew Walker and Michael Creager placed sixth and seventh, respectively, in the 300 hurdles.

The girls 800 relay placed third and the sprint medley relay and the 3200 relay team finished fourth. The boys 800 relay team won the competition, while the 400 relay placed third and the 3200 relay fourth.

In the distance races, Alex Schultz placed fourth in the 800m. Maycee White placed fifth in the 1600, with Ellie Sundheim and Alyssa Radloff following in seventh and eighth, respectively. Kade Leonard placed fifth in the 1600 and Noah Burtis took eighth.

“We got the rust off the wheels,” said Coach Schultz. “It’s a good start.”

The Spartans will compete in Windsor this Saturday, March 17.