Two school indoor records fell as the Benton Rangerettes competed in the Southern Illinois University Indoor Meet Friday in Carbondale.
There were 31 teams at the meet. No official meet scores were kept, but an unofficial Top 10 was: OFallon 81, Edwardsville 55, Belleville East 47, Mt. Vernon 40, Belleville West 37, Benton 28, Triad 27, Carbondale 25, Cahokia 25, Alton 24.
Kaitlyn Schutt ran a 7.67 to beak the 55-meter record that was set by Courtney Smith in 2008, and Sara Miller broke Lana Malkovich’s 2005 pole vault record with a jump of 7 feet, 6 inches. Schutt qualified for Indoor State with the mark, finishing sixth. Miller was ninth in the pole vault.
That was only two of the highlights on the day, according to coach Andy Sloan.
“Our kids performed very well against some very good competition,” he said. “We took a step in the right direction tonight and that is what we are looking for in every kid. Our throwers were very consistent, and all three finished in the top 13. Our sprint group ran well as we medaled in the 55, 55 high hurdles, 200, and 400. Schutt broke a great record in the 55, and baby Miller looked good in the vault on the way to setting a new record. We also put some kids in the jumps that did well and showed us that we have some depth there.”
Benton did have a nice day in the shot put. Ashley Webb was second with a throw of 36 feet, 11 inches. Chelsea Hayden threw an indoor personal record 32 feet, 7 inches to take sixth, and Natalie Taylor was 13th with a 30 feet, 4.5 inch throw.
Sydney Potts had a good day in the 55 High Hurdles, taking third overall in 8.91. Schutt was fourth in the 200-meters in 27.70. Schutt’s time was the third best indoor time in BCHS history and qualified her for Indoor State.
In the jumps, Madaline Parrish had a very nice day. She was fifth in the long jump (15 feet, 7.75 inches) and was seventh in the triple jump. He jump of 32 feet 2.75 inches in the triple was the third best in BCHS indoor history.
Potts was eighth in the high jump (4 feet, 10 inches).
Benton 4x200 relay was fourth in 1:54.08 to qualify for Indoor State. The time was also the fourth best in BCHS indoor history. Potts (28.9), Schutt (27.7), Sammi Bybee (29.4) and Parrish (28.2) made up the relay.
“Our distance is coming along and I thought Adams and Nolen had good nights,” said Sloan. “Sammi Bybee ran two good legs on the 4x2 and 4x4 and we have challenged her to step up and she has responded well. Our kids are working hard and are starting to see some rewards.”
Adams (15:24.74) and Nolen (15:38.07) both set personal records in the 2-mile run.
Sloan said support at the meet was tremendous.
“We had the best support from students and fans that that I can remember in the nine years I have been here other than the state meets of course,” he said.
“I just wanted to say thank you and I know the kids appreciate all the support from students, parents, and grandparents. It motivates the kids when they see the support they did on Friday.”
Next for Benton is the Eastern Illinois University Invitational on Saturday.
“We want to have a good week of practice to prepare for the EIU Invitational this Saturday,” said Sloan. “It is one of the best Class A Indoor meets in the state and we want to perform well.”
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Benton had four boys run in the SIU Indoor meet as well.
Dylan Hartley was sixth in the 2-mile (10:27.86) and 10th in the mile run (4:55.10) to lead the way.
Anthony Finney ran in the 55-meters (7.20), the 200-meters (27.08), the 800-meters (2:22.8) and the mile (5:14.35). Tyler Thompson ran in the 2-mile (13:04.92) and in the mile as well (5:47.01).
“We took four kids with us to this meet and this was their first indoor experience and competition,” Benton boys track coach Rod Shurtz said. “This was a very large meet and a long day with over 700 athletes in attendance. Our goal was to go into this competition to learn, compete, and make something positive happen and our kids did just that.
“We were happy with Dylan Hartley’s performance in the 3200 run and in the 1600 run,” he said. “We were also impressed with how Justin Massey ran. Justin competed hard in the 800 and 1600 runs. This was his first track meet and he performed quite well.”
SIU Indoor Meet
Benton Girls Results
Pole Vault — 9. Sara Miller, 7-6
Long Jump — 5. Madaline Parrish, 15-7.75; 25. Valarie Repp, 13-6; 29. Macy Shurtz, 12-9.5
High Jump — 8. Sydney Potts, 4-10
Shot Put — 2. Ashley Webb, 36-11; 6. Chelsea Hayden, 32-7; 13. Natalie Taylor, 30-4.5
Triple Jump — 7. Madaline Parrish, 32-2.75; 13. Kaitlyn Schutt, 31-6.5
55 Dash — 6. Kaitlyn Schutt , 7.67; 29. Macy Shurtz, 8.18; 46. Mara McQuillen, 8.83
55 HHurdles — 3. Sydney Potts, 8.91; 33. Lindsay Hathcoat, 11.97
3200 Run — 19. Jennifer Adams, 15:24.74; 20. Emily Nolen, 15:38.07
4x800 Relay — 15. Benton, 12:19.33 (S. Miller 3:01.9, Kelcey Jones 3:11.2, Shiloh Bailey 3:04.9, Valarie Repp 3:01.3)
4x200 Relay — 4. Benton, 1:54.08 (Potts 28.9, Schutt 27.7, Bybee 29.4, Parrish 28.2)
800 Run — 29. Jennifer Adams, 2:59.46; 41. Megan Conner, 3:10.3; 43. Olivia Dalby, 3:20.77
400 Dash — 6. Madaline Parrish, 64.83; 22. Valarie Repp, 70.36; 45. Cassidy Neal, 75.26
200 Dash — 4. Kaitlyn Schutt, 27.70; 29. Macy Shurtz, 30.65; 40. Mara McQuillen, 32.43
1600 Run —35. Emily Nolen, 7:11.32; 44. Kelcey Jones, 8:04.87
4x400 Relay — 14. Benton, 4:44.28 (Hathcoat 68.8, Bybee 68.6, Miller 73.7, Tabor 72.8)
Benton Boys Results
55 Dash — Anthony Finney, 7.20
3200 Run — 6. Dylan Hartley, 10:27.86; Tyler Thompson, 13:04.92
800 Run — Justin Massey, 2:22.8
1600 Run — 10. Dylan Hartley, 4:55.10; Justin Massey, 5:14.35; Tyler Thompson, 5:47.01
200 Dash — Anthony Finney, 27.08
Carbondale, Ill. —
