Perkins County Athletes Sprint to State: Local Stars Qualify for Track Meet Glory
By Emmalee Parsley Stevens
Grant Tribune Sentinel
The Perkins County Plainsmen Track Team competed at the district track meet in Mitchell, Nebraska on May 15, 2025. The team had to persevere through tough weather conditions. However, multiple athletes, amongst several events, are now qualified for the state track meet. The meet will take place on May 23, 2025 and May 24,2025 at Omaha Burke Stadium. “We had a great day. Most of what I hoped would qualify did. Had a few I thought would or possibly could but it just didn’t work out. We really had to be mentally tough with the weather. Strong winds made some things interesting. Only 6 PR’s but it was more about the places not so much the times. Now back to training and see what we can do next week,” said Head Coach Shayne Hite.
Girls
As a team, girls track earned runner up at the C-9 District Track Meet.
In the 400 meter dash, Libby Cole earned her spot to state track by finishing in second place.
Madison Potts also earned her spot to state by coming in second in the 1600 meter race. She then made herself a double qualifier by coming in first place in the 3200 meter race.
Ella Homan, another double qualifier, came in second place in the 100 meter hurdles and second in the 300 meter hurdles.
Team of Cole, Ava Seger, Haylea McGreer, and Homan, competed in the 4x400 meter relay. They came in second place, just two seconds behind the qualifying Valentine team.
In the 4x800 meter relay, the team of Emily Cornelius, McGreer, Savannah Miller, and Hannah Bishop came in fourth place.
Jacqueline Gloy placed fourth in the shot put.
Kam Klockman earned a spot to state track by winning the high jump event. Following her was Cole in third place.
Boys
As a team, the boys track was named the C-9 District Champions. Athletes qualified for state in seven events.
Ryder Potts, 3 event qualifier, came in second in the 200 meter race. He then earned a second spot to state track in the 400 meter race by winning the event. Colton Kroeker came in third in the 400 and Carson Green just behind him in fourth.
Mason McGreer won the 800 meter race just ahead of Brock Tines finishing second. Both athletes will compete at state.
In the 1600 meter race, Elijah Goodell finished in first. Following him was McGreer in second place. Both athletes earned a spot at state track, making this McGreers second qualification. McGreer and Goodell both competed in the 3200 meter race as well. McGreer finished in first place, qualifying for the third time. Goodell came in second, qualifying for the second time. Ethan Swesey finished in fifth place, also earning a spot to state.
The team of Kroeker, Rylee Schrotberger, Tines, and Potts, competed in the 4x400 meter relay. They finished in first place, qualifying for state.
Goodell, Tines,Schrotberger, and McGreer competed in the 4x800 meter relay. They won the event, earning another place at state track.