Winning isn’t everything

Personal-bests favored over firsts at N-P Track and Field Invite

By John Burbridge

sports@charlescitypress.com

NASHUA — So much for the thrill of victory.

North Butler senior Haley Landers just won the discus event at Thursday’s Nashua-Plainfield Girls Track and Field Invitational.

It was the only event she was entered in, so for Landers the day appeared to be a success.

However, it was far from “Mission Accomplished” according her self-assessment.

“I didn’t throw well at all,” said Landers, who bested a strong field with a throw of 117 feet, 6 inches. “I’m still having a hard time keeping my chest up on throws, and I need to smoother in my technique.”

Last year at the state meet, Landers placed third with a throw of 125 feet, 9 inches. Her best throw so far this season is about 5 inches shy of that mark.

“I think I have a good shot at (winning) state,” Landers said. “I just need to get better.”

Rockford’s Alyssa Staudt won the high jump event. But like Landers, she’s had better days.

“I did OK,” Staudt said of her winning leap of 5 feet, 3 inches, “but it wasn’t my best.”

Staudt’s best high jump this season is 5-5.

Staudt also was the anchor for Rockford’s 4-by-200 relay team, which won its heat.

“This was the first time I’ve run with this relay,” Staudt said of the foursome that also included Annaka Noss, Megan Staudt and Mackenzie Rooney. “I’m usually the lead runner for our 4-by-100 … I’m new at being the anchor.

“There’s no pressure [at being the anchor]. You just run.”

As for Nashua-Plainfield senior Kaylee Eggers, she did record a personal-best in the 100 hurdles with a time of 16.75 — .03 faster than her previous PR.

And to top it off, she won her race.

“It’s my first win of the year,” Eggers said. “It feels great.”

When it comes to hurdles for the Huskies, Eggers usually plays second fiddle to teammate Dallas Weiss.

“I’m usually finishing behind her,” Eggers said of Weiss, who’s also a regular shuttle hurdle teammate of hers. “But she is resting up this meet, so it was a good opportunity for me.”

Team honors went to Osage, which compiled 140 team points and in part was led by distance star Ellie Friesen, who was dominate in 1,500-meter run with a time just over 5 minutes.

Though Charles City didn’t field a full team at the invitational, it did have several individuals compete.

Junior McKayla Cole placed second in the 800 run, and sophomore Sydney Loeckle and senior Sara Martin placed fourth and fifth, respectively, in the discus.