Labeled the “Quad City” meet some years ago, Mansfield has played host to the smaller regular season home meet as a way to get local players a last minute chance to qualify to the state track competition. Because coaches go searching for such a meet, Mansfield tends to get calls for an invitation that expands the field beyond the indicated four schools.
This year, the Quad City ballooned to ten teams. Mansfield, the host for the night, took first place in the women’s team standings for their first team victory of the season.
The Lady Tigers have had good performances this season. However, a third place finish has been their highest among a plethora of events so far this season. A fifth place finish at the earlier, larger Tiger Relays (24 teams) was also on their resume. But, first place has alluded the core group up until the April 16 event.
Sophomore Delilah McKusker was the breakout star of the night for Mansfield’s women. The second year hurdler won the 300m hurdles in 55.13. To that point it was the tenth grader’s fastest finish of the year. It also placed her as the second ranked hurdler in the conference.
McKusker also anchored two relay races for the Lady Tigers. They finished second and fifth respectively in the 4x400m and 4x100m relays.
For the men, it was Jaicy Griffin that looked the part of dominate performer. That is until the sophomore tweaked a knee during a large leap in the long jump.
Griffin went 20’ 5.5” in the long jump for the win. However, he was hobbled a bit as he exited the sand. For precautionary measures the Mansfield staff closed the remainder of his schedule. Currently the team is awaiting reports of his availability before conference play begins on April 25.
Seniors Megan Rose and Devon Pyles continued to be the top Tigers for the women and men Mansfield teams. Both distance runners, the two completed 4 mile schedules for their respectively groups.
Rose won the 1600m run in 6:18.58. She was also the champion in the 3200m run at 13:14.33. A pair of third place finishes in the 800m run and 4x800m relay polished off her meet production.
Pyles posted two third place finishes and a fourth for the men. He was the bronze medalist in the 1600m and 800m runs. He was the fourth best runner in the 3200m run after an unusually short period of rest. Earlier he was part of a fourth place 4x800m relay.
Jake Smith, Curtis Griffin, Devon Pyles, and Joris Felius manned the 4x800m men’s team. Corrina Wesley, Alyssa Berry, Lennon Woods, and Megan Rose peopled the women’s distance team.
Sophomore Jacob Brown turned in his highest place of the season at the discus ring. He tossed the saucer like implement 103’ 11.5” for fourth place.
Fellow sophomore Blayne Bryant went 8’ 00” in only his second pole vault competition of the year. He was seventh among 14 jumpers.
Garrett Wilson came over from baseball to contribute to the boys’ team. He was part of two relays and ran the 100m dash.
Lennon Woods ran the 300m hurdles for the first time this year. Trying to create depth for a small senior Lady Tiger squad, the sophomore took on the challenge of the 8 barrier race. The results were positive as the first timer finished fourth in the race at 58.73 seconds.
Addison Goetz did a similar exploration over at the triple jump pit. She made her best mark in the triple jump at 25’ 1.5” in only her second try this year.
Mansfield sent a handful of players to Southside on April 19 at the McDonald’s Relays. They did not compete as a full squad against the mostly 7A competition.
