McPherson, KS (KWCH) — McPherson County houses only a few high schools. However, with institutions like McPherson (4A), Smoky Valley (3A), and Little River (1A), the region has witnessed considerable athletic achievements recently, particularly during the spring season. Following statewide temperatures higher than average, track and field competitors faced cooler conditions around the mid-50s at their opening meet, the McPherson County Early Season Invitational held last Thursday. This event also featured strong contenders from 3A such as Hesston and Elyria Christian.
It’s a bit colder than I prefer, but overall it’s a solid beginning," remarked Hesston sophomore Ashley Lehman, who secured four individual first-place finishes on Thursday. "My performance in pole vault was 12-1, which aligns with my expectations for kicking off the season.
In Class 3A, the three highest-ranking pole vaulters from Kansas were competing last year, resulting in Lehman securing second place at the state meet. Now, with two of these competitors having graduated, Lehman is considered the top contender this year. She managed to clear a height of 12-1, surpassing the rest of the participants by 37 inches. Smoky Valley High School's junior, Ceeley Friesen, claimed the runner-up position by clearing 9-0, which was 18 inches shorter than Lehman's jump.
Last May, Lehman claimed three state championships in sprint events, establishing herself as one of the top athletes in the state. In her first appearance on the track, she secured the gold medal in the 100-meter dash with an impressive time of 12.47 seconds, leaving Smoky Valley freshman Braelyn Whittaker behind with a silver-medal performance at 13.07 seconds. Additionally known for excelling in the 800 meters, Lehman dominated the 400-meter dash race, finishing with a winning time of 58.47 seconds. Meanwhile, Smoky Valley senior Katja Blanchat, who was ranked sixteenth in class 3A previously, earned second place in the same event with a mark of 65.11 seconds. On Thursday, Lehman concluded her series of victories by taking home another gold medal in the 200-meter dash with a timing of 26.51 seconds, closely trailed by Whittaker again, this time clocking 27.87 seconds.
There's constant pressure, but I believe much of it stems from my own desire to excel," Lehman stated about defending his title. "I enjoy racing and I thrive on competition, which makes it exciting every time I step onto the track.
McPherson achieved the sweep at their home venue in the 100m hurdles. Junior Elley Paulson secured the top spot with a time of 18.04 seconds, followed by freshman Kinsey Harold clocking 18.33 seconds for the silver, and senior Arihanna Koehn also finishing in 18.33 seconds to claim the bronze medal. In the 300 meters, Paulson dominated again, winning gold with a time of 53.94 seconds, while Hesston's freshman Zaylah Wray took the silver with a run of 55.05 seconds.
Senior Esther Clark Pavlovich from Smoky Valley had an impressive performance in long-distance races. Early in the season, she secured victory in the 800 meters with one of the top times statewide at 5:17.29. In this event, McPherson’s Lexi Patterson placed second with a time of 5:33.76, narrowly beating Hesston’s Reece Quinn who was only half a second behind her. Additionally, Clark Pavlovich won the 800-meter race again, edging out Patterson by more than a second with a timing of 2:29.70. Also standing out for Smoky Valley was junior Hope Willems, who claimed first place in the 3200 meters, finishing ahead of competitors by 44 seconds in a total time of 12:08.29.
In the boys' competition, younger athletes excelled in the 100-meter sprint as the highest-placing upperclassman secured the 27th spot. Sophomore Matt Burger from McPherson claimed the gold medal in this event with a time of 11.30 seconds, narrowly beating out Junior Tristan Bristow from Little River who earned silver with a mark of 11.38 seconds. Burger also shone in the 200 meters, securing victory once again with an impressive performance of 24.02 seconds, setting yet another personal record. His teammate, Freshman Nico Monday, grabbed the silver medal in this race clocking in at 25.09 seconds. Meanwhile, Smoky Valley dominated the podium in the 400 meters, taking the top three positions. This streak was spearheaded by Junior Kaden Bishop winning with a swift finish of 52.83 seconds, closely trailed by fellow Junior Braylon Olson who snagged second place with his run finishing at 55.26 seconds.
In an intense 1600-meter competition, two athletes surged ahead early on. McPherson's young talent, Kayden Friesen, maintained the lead throughout most of the race and secured victory with a time of 5:00.78. Close behind him was Hesston's promising newcomer, Levi Thompson, who took second place with a timing of 5:02.34, placing him well over half a minute before the third competitor crossed the finish line.
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