Fries leads Chase County with two hurdle medals at state championships

While the season may have gotten off to a rough start for the Chase County boys’ track team, CCS Head Coach Carl Zuege said he liked how his team worked and competed throughout the season and in Omaha at state track.
Easton Fries reached the finals in the 110-meter hurdles and 300-meter hurdles after prelims Friday. Fries was second in his prelim heat of the 110-meter hurdles and ran the third fastest prelim time.
CCS Head Coach Carl Zuege said Fries’ 15.09 was the fifth fastest at CCS since at least 1980 and was the fastest time ever by a Longhorn sophomore.
Fries had the fifth fastest time in the 300-meter hurdle prelims.
In the 110-meter hurdle finals Saturday, Fries finished fifth. Later that afternoon Fries placed seventh in the 300-meter hurdles.
Zuege pointed out that all of the hurdlers who finished ahead of Fries in both races were seniors.
Fries also high jumped Friday morning but did not clear the opening height of 5’10”
Junior Kade Anderson triple jumped Friday morning.
“I thought for a guy who just began triple jumping about 3 weeks prior, he did a very good job at state,” Zuege said, adding next year coaches will be able to get Anderson a good deal more training and practice.
“I think we will see him back there next year with a shot at bringing home a medal,” Zuege said.
Anderson’s best jump in Omaha was his final jump, 39’9.25” and Zuege was pleased with his effort.
Anderson joined Fries and Jensen Olsen in the same prelim heat of the 110-meter hurdles.
Zuege said Anderson’s time was comparable to his times all season.
“I thought he ran his best races at the end of the season. Next year he will have a shot at making state three straight years in the 110H, which is a great accomplishment,” Zuege said.
Zuege said Olsen came on strong at the end of the season. He expects Olsen to be a factor at next year’s state meet.
“He is an incredibly strong and athletic kid who I think will make a huge jump in this event next year.,” Zuege said.
Jaret Peterson was the first Longhorn in action in Omaha, throwing the shot put Friday morning.
“I know that Jaret wasn’t really satisfied with his results on Friday, but the growth that he made throughout the season was outstanding,” Zuege said.
Leading up to the trip, Zuege said Peterson had several throws out in the 47’ range, which should give him some really big confidence that next season he will surpass that 50’ barrier and get himself in the position to medal at the state meet.
“Jaret is only a sophomore, and is one of our hardest workers in the weight room, so I know he is just getting started,” Peterson added.
Senior Ryan Bernhardt long jumped Saturday morning.
Zuege said Bernhardt got off a couple of pretty good jumps on Saturday morning, but struggled a little with his point of takeoff.
“He was well behind the board on his best two jumps, which cost him some distance,” Zuege said.
Competing on a very chilly morning, Zuege thought there were athletes who struggled with their marks.
“Ryan has been a fantastic leader for us over these last four years, and I was glad he was able to finish his career with a couple of events at the state track meet,” Zuege said.
Bernhardt ran the anchor leg on Chase County’s 1,600-meter relay. Also running were Luis Co, Stephen Murray and Fries.
Crowded exchange zones didn’t do the Longhorns any favors.
“Our 4x400 relay did not run a great time on Saturday evening. We ran into a few problems where we ran into another team on two different exchanges, and we were just running from behind the entire race. Three of these guys return next year,” Zuege said, adding that while Bernhardt’s shoes will be big ones to fill, he believes that this relay can be contenders in this race next year.
“More than anything, I was just incredibly pleased with the progress and performances of our young team this season. We did NOT look too good in our first meet at Ogallala, but we continued to train and compete, and we ended the season with five meet championships, including a sixth-straight district championship,” Zuege said.
Zuege said the conference performed well in Omaha.
North Platte St. Pat’s won the Class D boys’ and girls’ team titles.
“This bodes well for the level of competition we will continue to see on a weekly basis next year, and it gives me confidence that our team will continue to grow and improve greatly. I truly believe that we have the pieces to compete for a state championship over the next few years - but only if we continue to do the work in football, XC, wrestling, basketball and the weight room,” Zuege said.

110m Hurdles—1. Deagan Puppe, 14.66, Laurel; 5. Easton Fries, 15.39, CCS; Kade Anderson, 16.09, CCS; Jensen Olsen, 16.19, CCS.
300m Hurdles—1. Beau Ruskamp, 39.83, Wisner-Pilger; 7. Fries, 41.91a , CCS.
4x400 Relay—1. GICC, 3:32.02; CCS (Luis Co, Stephen Murray, Fries, Ryan Bernhardt), 3:38.15.
Shot Put—1. Kade Pieper, 57-08.50, Norfolk Catholic; Jaret Peterson, 42-11.50, CCS.
Long Jump—1. Beau Lee, 22-02.75, Lourdes Central Catholic; Bernhardt, 19-03.75, CCS.
Triple Jump —1. Lee, 45-01.00, Lourdes Central Catholic; Anderson, 39-09.25, CCS.