On Thursday, March 31, and Friday, April 1, McClain Stadium was filled with eager student athletes as Marietta Public Schools hosted track meets for both junior high and high school students.
Thursday’s junior high meet welcomed athletes from Ada, Atoka, Grandview, Lane, Madill, Plainview, Sulphur, Whitebead, Ardmore, Dickson, Kingston, Lone Grove, Middleburg, Silo, and Tishomingo Public Schools – over 1,000 students in all.
Plainview’s girls’ and boys’ teams won the team championships, with both Indians’ squads finishing in third place. Coach Tanica Anderson was pleased with her teams’ performances and had good things to say about some outstanding individual efforts.
“Caiden McCarroll ran very well in the 3200m relay as the second leg with a personal record on his split,” said Anderson. “Also, on the 1600m relay as the fourth leg, he came from about 150 meters behind and finished in first place for his team.
“Tripp Lutkennaus had a tough finish in the 800m and still came out on top, and Yulisa Gonzalez was the top finisher in the 200m – she is a fun one to watch.”
In Friday’s high school meet, the Denison, Texas, boys’ team and the Ada girls’ team were meet champions. The meet featured over 500 student athletes from Ada, Byng, Coleman, Denison, Hugo, Madill, Purcell, Tishomingo, Ardmore, Caddo, Comanche, Durant, Lone Grove, Pauls Valley, and Sulphur.
The Lady Indians team finished in fifth place and the Indians in 11th. Sophomore Austen McQueen won the 300m hurdles and sophomore Amanda Flores won the shot put.
“Austin is working hard, and we’ve seen a lot of improvement from him,” said Anderson, “and Amanda is really starting to find her rhythm, so we’re looking for some great things from her.”
Anderson expressed thanks to the local businesses and individuals who provided food for the meet’s hospitality room and to the volunteers and field workers who kept the events moving smoothly.
“Overall we had some great competition both days and I thought our athletes looked good,” she concluded. “I’m proud of them and am enjoying seeing them work hard and improve every day.”