Longhorn boys win seventh straight SVPA championship

It was a struggle, according to Chase County boys’ track coach Carl Zuege, but his team won its seventh straight SPVA conference track championship Friday at Perkins County.
The Longhorns took the title by eight points, 142-134, over North Platte St. Pat’s.
“At times I thought that we let some opportunities get away from us to maybe put the team title away a little bit earlier in the day,” Zuege said, adding he was very impressed with the St. Pat’s boys and the way they performed.
“In the end, I was really happy for our boys and ultimately they did enough to earn that conference championship,” Zuege said.
Winning SPVA is something that his CCS track program has put an emphasis on for a long time, Zuege said, and he credited great competitors over the years that have helped build that tradition.
“When the SPVA meet rolls around I always like to reflect on how important the guys who built this foundation are to the success we still enjoy today. Coaches like Fred Bessler, Rex Heckenlively, Paul Orvis, Al Zuege, and many others all still share a part in this most recent conference championship,” Zuege said.
Dawson Mollendor won the 100 meter dash with a personal best and placed second with another PR in the 200 meter dash.
Cedric Maxwell was first in the 400 and second in the 800 with PRs in both. Clay Meeske was second in the 400 with a PR and third in the 800.
Carter Leibbrandt and Brit Gockley placed first and second, respectively, with PRs of 12’6” in the pole vault.
Relay wins in the 4x100 and 4x400 helped solidify the team win late in the day.
Brandon Mintling, Ryan Bernhardt, Chase Rowley and Mollendor won the 400 meter relay.
Meeske, Rowley, Maxwell and Bernhardt took the 1,600 relay title.
Whether against competitor or teammates, Zuege was pleased with the way his athletes stepped up.
“It’s really pretty rare when I’m not satisfied with our team’s willingness to compete. When you hear both our boys’ and girls’ teams talk about culture, that is what we’re talking about — we expect great effort and competition from everyone we send out there,” Zuege said.
He added that this team has done an excellent job carrying that forward this year.
“It was definitely fun seeing guys push each other all day,” Zuege said.
Zuege went on to say the heat factored in on the day, but it was important for athletes because they need to be acclimated to those conditions by the time the district meet rolls around.
“Every time you get a good warm meet, you adjust and are better able to handle those days going forward,” Zuege said.
Best of the Midwest
Several CCS athletes were at the Best of the Midwest Tuesday in Sutherland.
The JV team traveled to North Platte.
“So, everyone should get to compete in some capacity on Tuesday,” Zuege said.
CCS sent its 400 meter relay, 1,600 meter relay to Best of the Midwest, plus Gockley and Leibbrandt in the pole vault, Anderson in the 110 meter hurdles and Bernhardt in the long jump.
DCS meet on Friday
The team will be in Benkelman Friday for the Dundy County-Stratton Twilight.
“We will use that meet to fine-tune some areas and to finalize our entries for districts the following Thursday. This season continues to fly by,” Zuege said.

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