The Ballard men's track team put on a strong performance at the Saydel Invitational on Tuesday, April 16, finishing in 11th place overall with a total of 27.5 points.  Despite facing stiff competition from other teams, the Bombers showed resilience and determination, claiming several top finishes and setting the stage for the upcoming Bomber Relays.

One of the standout events of the day was the Boys 800 Sprint Medley Relay, where Ballard's A team raced to a 4th-place finish with a time of 1:40.28. The squad, composed of Chase Ihle (11), Curtis Hinzman (10), Kiir Wol (12), and Stetson Kane (11), ran an impressive race and showed great teamwork, narrowly missing out on a podium finish.

The Bombers also showed their strength in the Boys Distance Medley Relay, with the A team securing 8th place in a time of 4:28.18. Callen Stenberg (10), Leif Jorgensen (10), Ethan Rouse (10), and Caleb Hill (12) represented Ballard in this grueling race, where endurance and strategy were key.

Another highlight was the Boys 4x110 Meter Shuttle Hurdle Relay, where Ballard's A team placed 4th with a time of 1:02.46. Landon Cory (12), Jordan Rial (12), Elijah Cook (12), and Drew Farver (11) showcased excellent speed and agility over the hurdles, securing a solid finish and further boosting the team's total points.

In individual events, Brody Buck (12) delivered a strong performance in the Boys High Jump, earning 5th place with a leap of 5-10.00. Buck continues to be a key competitor for the Bombers in the field events, showing consistent improvement throughout the season.

While Ballard's field event athletes didn't crack the top spots, they continued to show promising performances. In the Boys Long Jump, Kolbie Owens (09) placed 17th with a jump of 16-10.75. In Shot Put, Jayron Amerison-Smith (12) earned 14th place with a throw of 41-10.00, while Jonah Stagg (09) competed in both Shot Put (34-06.50) and Discus (98-02), continuing to gain experience in these challenging events.

Looking ahead, the Ballard track team will return to action on Tuesday, April 22, as they host the Bomber Relays at 4:30 PM.

Photo Credit: Davidson Photography