The area saw a big representation in the unified events in all three classes in the state track-and-field meet at the University of Kentucky.
The five unified events are the shot put, long jump along with the 2×50, 4×100 and 2×200 meter relays. The placing is different than the regular meet. The shot putters and long jumpers are a combined score between a thrower and the partner.
Holmes won the 4×100 in 1:01.28 for the first unified title in team history. The team members were DaeQuan Avery, Byron Rayfield, Gavin Bell and Malaki McDonald.
“I’m so excited for the kids. I’m glad I have the time to help these kids,” said Mary Ella Rorer, Holmes assistant coach. “One of the kids was saying they feel bad because they feel left out at events like basketball. It’s really neat to have the sports where other kids can shine than just the regular kids. You’re making a difference in their lives because down the road, they’re going to have that experience that they’ll remember forever.”
Holmes placed in all three relays. The 2×200 relay team of Dominick Garza and Alex Bradley took second in 57.70 seconds and another team in Kayden Crowell and McDonald took fourth in 1:06.41. Crowell and McDonald also placed sixth in the 2×50 in 16.34 seconds with the team of Josiah Burton and Byron Rayfield took fifth in 15.78.
Holmes also had two teams reach the podium in the long jump. Rayfield and senior Dawoo Holtman took third jumping 24-feet, 1.75 inches. The team of McDonald and Malikai Dailey took sixth jumping a combined 23-feet, 2.5 inches.
“It’s more with the partners wanting the kids to participate,” Rorer said. “When we go to state, I’m not allowed on the field. The partners have to be their mentors, show patience. It is about the awareness of everything.”
Scott and Highlands had some hit the podium in the 2A unified event. The Scott 4×100 team of Riley Howell, Tyler McKenzie, Logan Tincher and Donovan Goetz took fourth in 1:17.64.
Highlands placed in two events. The 4×100 team of Liz Rhea, Sage Rosen, Vance Wiggins and Carson Vieth took fifth in 1:22.74 and the 2×50 squad of Wiggins and Vieth took eighth in 16.92 seconds.
Dayton had a number of placers in the 1A unified events. The team of freshman Sammy McFarland and sophomore Kelcie Martin took second in the 2×200 in 1:12.04, fourth in the long jump at 16-6 and fourth in the 2×50 in 16.74 seconds. The 2×200 team of Sydney Harris and James Ferguson took third in 1:21.57. Those four helped Dayton to a second-place finish in the 4×100 in 1:10.05.
Dayton also had two teams place in the shot. The team of freshman Noah Fryman and Mason Fromeyer took fourth with a combined 49-3.75 and the team of junior James McFarland and eighth grader Alyssa Mullins took sixth at 40-9.
Ryle had good representation at the podium in Class 3A. The team of senior Isaac Eibel and junior Logan Verax took fifth throwing 57-4. Verax and freshman Vincent Gallucci took sixth in the 2×200 in 56.91 seconds. Gallucci also teamed up with sophomore Clay Maddox to take third in the long jump at 26-6.
Ryle saw three teams place in the 4×100. The team of Eibel, Gallucci, Nathan Verax and Logan Verax took second in 57.88 seconds. The team of Maddox, Hayden Watts, Jaden Galicia and Logan Gribben took fifth in 1:27.59 with the team of Molly Robinson, Alyssa Trame, Nicole Owens and Grace Ashcraft taking seventh in 2:00.45.
The Campbell County team of Daniel Brossart and Tricia Verst took fifth in the 2×50 in 15.05 seconds and eighth in the 2×200 in 1:03.57. The Simon Kenton 2×50 team of Chase Crone and Brayden Smith took seventh in 15.67 seconds.