Dan Eyrich, AP Sports
Last Friday night the Panther track team participated in the Newman Invitational at the Westwood Complex in Sterling competing against seven other area teams. The Panthers finished third with 68 points behind champion Rock Falls with 159.5 points and Bureau Valley with 78.
The Panthers had two first place finishes with freshman, Elijah Franzen winning the 400 meters in a PR time of 56.40. The other top finish was by Nathan Punke in the pole vault clearing 3.50 meters. He led a sweep of the event with Aidan Jepson taking second (3.20m) and Carson Eyrich in 3rd (3.04 m).
EP had two third place finishes in the distance events with junior, Justin Wainscott setting a PR of 5:14.42 in the 1600 meters. He was followed by teammate and freshman Braeden Punke in 5:26.27. Jakob Brooks placed third in the 3200 meters in a PR time of 12:48.46.
The 4×800 relay team took third with the time of 9:05.61 with Gus Schultz, Brayden Punke, Nathan Punke, and Justin Wainscott competing.
Senior Demetree Larsen recorded a PR of 5.76 meters in the long jump placing third.
Newman Invite Meet Results
The Lady Panther track squad competed at the Warrior Invitational on Saturday competing against four much larger schools. The Panthers placed fifth in the meet with 30 points as Rock Island won the event with 133 points.
EP showed their prowess in the distance events highlighted by sophomore Sarah Link’s first place finish in the 800 meters in a PR time of 2:39.11.
Fellow sophomore Jessie DeNeve took second in the 1600 meters also setting a PR in a time of 6:12.11.
EP also had a top finish in the pole vault with Gracelynn Abell placing third, clearing 2.67 meters.
Warrior Invitational Meet Results
Both Panther squads are scheduled to travel back to Westwood on Monday to take on Sterling and Forreston.
