CC wins big while hosting Comet Girls Invitational

By John Burbridge

sports@charlescitypress.com

CHARLES CITY — During a brief intermission at the Comet Girls Invitational on Friday, Charles City’s senior track athletes were formally honored.

But lest we forget about the contributions of the Comet freshman class, in particular Whitney Martin.

In the 800-meter run, Martin was able to hold off a surging Riley Mihm of Jesup to win a time of 2 minutes, 31.57 seconds. Then to close the meet in the 4-by-400 relay, Martin ran a spirited final leg while trying to chase down Jillian Heitland of Garner-Hayfield/Ventura.

Heitland managed to keep Martin at bay during a thrilling homestretch finish as her team won the race by a little more than a second (4:36.38 to 4:27.56). But the Comets had already won war as their team total of 129 points placed them well ahead of runner-up G-H/V (90).

“We decided to switch it up a little this meet,” Charles City head coach Darren Bohlen said. “We tried some girls in different events. We gave a rest to some of our athletes, but we ran some of our other girls hard.”

Sarah Martin picked up another shot put win for the Comets with a throw of 37 feet, 10 ¼ inches, nearly matching her personal-best of 37-11 she recorded the Monday before at a meet in New Hampton.

Charles City picked up a couple of relay wins as the quartet of Gillian King, Hanna Bjelica, Kennedi Rowlands and Martin won the 4-by-800 with a time of 10:27.06; and Troi Mayhorn, Melany Pleggenkuhle, Hannah Meighan and Bailey Mitchell won the 4-by-200 with a time of 1:57.99.

“One of the more impressive performances for us was from Tayler Schmidt in the 400 hurdles,” Bohlen said of his sophomore, who placed third behind winner Annika Wall of Jesup and Heitland. “That was great effort from her.”

Charles City’s top distance runner McKayla Cole didn’t participate in any of her regular events.

“She ran yesterday at Nashua-Plainfield,” Bohlen said of a meet held on Thursday. “At New Hampton, she qualified in the 3,000 for the Drake Relays — she got the last spot.

“We want to make sure she’s well-rested for that.”

The Drake Relays take place this Thursday.

North Butler was among the eight-team field and placed sixth with 58 team points. The Bearcats got a first-place performances from Morgan Arjes in the 400 (1:05.22), who bested runner-up teammate Isabel Derdzinski by a little more than a half of second.

Rounding out the team standings were St. Ansgar (86, 3rd), Jesup (75, 4th), Newman 70, 5th), Clear Lake (43, 7th) and Tripoli (24, 8th).