The 'Birds hosted the Redbird Invite Monday afternoon. On the strength of their field events, West Frankfort came in second place as a team with a score of 69. "The kids competed every race and every event," commented West Frankfort track and field coach Richard Glodich. "We were fighting a few injuries and hopefully we will be 100 percent by sectional time."
The Harrisburg Bulldogs won the event with an overall score of 71. The Fairfield Mules rounded out the top three with a team score of 53.
The Redbirds made easy work of the field events. In the high jump, Nolan Jordan came in first place with a hop of 6'2. "Nolan had a great day," added Glodich. "He set his personal record with an impressive jump."
In the discus, Major McKeithen finished in first place with a a heave of 140'5. "This is Major's best throw of the year," explained Glodich. "McKeithen always works hard and the future is bright for this kid." Patrick O'Keefe recorded a second place finish by throwing a 130'11.
In the triple jump, Kendrick Simelton came in first place with a hop of 43'4.5. Shawn Jackanicz finished in third place with a jump of 39'10.
In the long jump, Simleton came in second place by recording a leap of 20'6. In the pole vault, Shawn Jackanicz came in second place with a vault of 12'. In the shot put, McKeithen came in third place with a heave of 47'3. Jared Dunn finished in fifth place with a toss of 46'.
"We had a great day in the field events," said Glodich. "These guys work hard and now it's starting to pay off."
West Frankfort also had a productive day on the track.In the 110 meter high hurdles, Andy Johnson recorded a third place finish with a time of 16.22. In the 300 meter intermediate hurdles, Johnson came in second with a time of 42.40. Ben Cunningham finished third by recording a time of 44.41.
In the 100 meter dash, Austin Allen came in second place with a time of 11.69. In the 400 meter relay, the team of Bennie Dorris, Johnson, Simelton and Allen came in third place with a time of 47.29.
In the 800 meter relay, the team of Dorris, Simelton, O'Keefe and Allen came in third place and recorded a time of 1:39.51.
In the 1600 meter relay, the team of Jackanicz, Garret Mann, Lane Murphy and Derrick Davis came in third place with a time of 3:58.
In the 1600 meter run, Nick Griffith came in fourth place by recording a time of 5:24.67.
In the 3200 meter relay, the team of Jackanicz, Jake Gutierrez, Taylor Chance and Derrick Davis came in second place with a time of 8:53.53.
"I’m pleased overall with the effort the guys gave," commented Glodich. "We have to be sharp for sectionals this weekend."
The Redbird tracksters will be in action again Friday. The 'Birds will travel to Fairfield for the Sectional Meet.
West Frankfort, Ill. —
