Mena Track Teams Proving Hard Work Gets Big Rewards

BY MELANIE BUCK –

The Mena Bearcat Boy’s Track Team competed well at the Mansfield Tiger Relays. Zach Jewell finished as the overall high-point winner for the meet. Anthony Kennedy, Clint Buck, Cody Reid, Jackson Daugherty, Heath Schnell, and Caleb Ward all placed in various events throughout the meet. On Tuesday, April 7th, The boy’s were near full strength and competed very well in the Booneville Bearcat Relays finishing runner-up with 96 overall points as a team. Zach Jewell was once again the overall high-point winner with 40 points. Zach won first place in long jump, triple jump, 100-meter dash, and 200-meter dash. “Zach is a very talented young man who is turning some heads across the state,” said Head Track Coach Aaron Pennington. D’wayne Grinder placed in the 300 and 110 hurdles with a strong showing. Caleb Ward placed 8th in the shotput and continues to get better and better.

Clint Buck won 1st place in the 3200-meter run and 2^nd place in the 1600-meter run, and Cody Reid finished 5^th in the 3200-meter run. “Clint and Cody have been working very hard since January trying to improve their distance times, and the results are showing. They keep improving each meet,” said Pennington. The 4×800 meter relay team consisting of Landon Stidman, Clint Buck, Cody Reid, and Anthony Kennedy placed first-place and competed very well for the win. Pennington said, “I was very proud of that group because they really came together and ran a very good race. As the season progresses, these guys are getting better and better. It is a process, and as the guy’s continue to work, the possibilities are endless.”

The Mena Bearcat Girls are also showing promise with their team this season. At the Mansfield Tiger Relays, Sara Hamalanien placed 1^st in 100-meter dash, 2^nd in 400-meter dash; Jacquelyn Johnson placed 5^th in 400-meter dash; Abbie Smith placed 2^nd in 800-meter run, 1^st in 1600-meter run, and 1^st in the 3200-meter run.

The girls’ relay teams placed 2^nd in the 4×400 meter relay with runners Marley Jones, Sara Hamalainen, Keeley Jones, and Jacquelyn Johnson. The 4×800 meter relay team consisting of Evelyn Smith, Abbie Smith, Samantha England, and Taylor Harper took 1^st place. The 4×100 meter relay team took 5^th place with Jacquelyn Johnson, Marley Jones, Macy Baucom, and Keeley Jones.

At Booneville, Abbie Smith took 1^st and 2^nd place, respectively, in the 1600-meter run and the 3200-meter run; Macey Baucom placed 5^th in 100-meter dash; Evelyn Smith placed 3^rd in 800-meter run; and the 4x800meter relay team took 1^st place with runners Evelyn Smith, Abbie Smith, Samantha England, and Taylor Harper.

With the 2^nd place win for the Bearcat boys’ team at Booneville, they received their first ever track trophy to hang in the high school among other sports accolades.

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Jeri Pearson

Jeri is the News Director for Pulse Multi-Media and Editor of The Polk County Pulse. She has 10 years of experience in community focused journalism and has won multiple press association awards.

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