Competing at the 1A indoor track and field state championship, Hancock County’s Wyatt Emmick broke both the state and school record in the 55 hurdles with a 7.85. Overall, the boys team finished seventh and the girls’ team 30th.
“Wyatt and his hurdle coach Mason Aschenbrenner have been putting in a lot of time this season on his speed and timing,” Hancock County head coach Wes Meserve said. “I have to give Mason a lot of the credit because he is really knowledgeable and holds Wyatt to a high standard.”
The Hornets broke five school records, had two of their relay teams medal, and five individuals’ medal. The boys’ 4×400 relay team of Emmick, Cooper Jones, Mekhel London, and Emmitt Meserve finished sixth. Their 4×800 relay finished seventh.
On the individual side, Cooper Jones finished third in the 400 (51.75) and broke his own school record by over an entire second. Christian Yanez was sixth in the triple jump and nearly broke the school record.
On the girls’ side, Ellen Meserve finished seventh in the high jump as only a seventh grader.
“I am very pleased with how my athletes did today,” Wes Meserve said. “We were also happy with how our relays did. I think both could have gone faster, but they were both pretty full of kids who didn’t have much indoor or relay experience.”
Owensboro Catholic was also in attendance, with their boys’ team finishing 12th and the girls’ team 13th. The Aces had eight medal winners, led by the girls 4×800 meter relay team of Ainsley Sutter, Caroline Wathen, Scarlett Isenbarger, and Peyton Reid finishing third. Reid also finished fifth in the girls 1600, while Sutter was seventh in the 3200.
The boys’ 4×200 meter relay team also finished third and consisted of Xavier Maddox, Colin Howard, Jude Cecil, and Russ Boarman. Cecil also finished fourth in the 200 meter dash. Houston Lynn and Noah O’Nan finished third and respectively in the boys’ high jump, while Cam Woodward was eighth in the boys’ triple jump.
“I am pleased with the performance, especially to this time last year,” Owensboro Catholic coach Chris Morris said. “We still have a long way to go and a lot of work to do.”
