By Logan Duester
The Silver Lake track team kicked off its season at the UNK Indoor Meet, where it proved to be a strong start against tough competition. Several athletes placed in the top six, setting a positive tone for the season.
On the boys’ side, Hayden Karr led the way with two runner-up finishes in the 800-meter run (2:11.92) and the 1600-meter run (5:00.73). In the 1600, he battled closely with the first-place finisher, who edged him out with a time of 5:00.45. Jaxon tenBensel placed 4th in the 200-meter dash (25.32), with Braedyn Snell close behind in 5th (25.50). The 1600-meter relay team of tenBensel, Hayden Karr, Lane Magarin, and Graham Karr secured 3rd place with a time of 3:53.34.
For the girls, MaKenna Karr earned a 5th-place finish in the 60-meter dash (8.50). Overall, the meet served as a solid starting point for the team.
The following Friday, the Mustangs traveled to Wilcox, competing with a limited roster due to State FFA. Despite the smaller team, Silver Lake continued to find success. Hayden Karr once again dominated, earning first place in both the 800-meter run (2:08.60) and the 1600-meter run (5:00.92). Jaxon tenBensel competed in the 300-meter hurdles for the first time this season, placing 2nd with a personal-best time of 42.59. Braedyn Snell added points with a 5th-place finish in the 100-meter dash (11.89) and 6th in the 200-meter dash (24.43). Laikyn Krueger placed 5th in the 3200-meter run (12:54.99), and the 1600-meter relay team finished 4th (3:53.59). In field events, Landon Duester took 3rd in shot put with a throw of 39’9”.
On the girls’ side, Kaylee Karr had an impressive season debut, earning first place in both the 1600-meter run (6:02.69) and the 3200-meter run (14:02.59). In field events, Jerzey Brittain placed 6th in shot put (26’10”), while Libby Soucek earned 6th in triple jump (31’3”).
At the Kenesaw meet, the first competition with a full team, the Lady Mustangs claimed the team title, scoring 100 points and finishing 22 points ahead of runner-up Axtell. Sophie Schmidt led the charge with four gold medals in the 200-meter dash (29.07), 400-meter dash (1:04.91), long jump (15’10.5”), and as a member of the 1600-meter relay team. Schmidt said, ” For the first full meet I competed at, I felt like it was a good way to start the season and showed me what could come at future track meets.”
Kaylee Karr added three golds of her own, winning the 1600-meter run (6:04.31), 3200-meter run (13:39.69), and contributing to the winning 1600 relay. MaKenna Karr was another key contributor, placing 1st in the 300-meter hurdles (53.74), 2nd in the 400-meter dash (1:07.08), 3rd in the 100-meter dash (13.42), and running on the 1600 relay team. Brooklyn Himmelberg also helped secure the relay victory, as the team finished with a time of 4:46. The 400-meter relay team of Kerra Hofstetter, Kamille Karr, Kaisley Hansen, and Libby Soucek placed 5th (58.73). In field events, Jerzey Brittain recorded a personal-best throw of 28’5” to place 4th in shot put. Libby Soucek added a 3rd-place finish in long jump (15’6.5”) and 4th in triple jump (31’11”).
The boys’ team also turned in a strong performance at Kenesaw, finishing 4th overall with 66.33 points. Hayden Karr continued his standout season with first-place finishes in the 800-meter run (2:09.46), 1600-meter run (5:10.72), and as part of the 1600- meter relay team. Jaxon tenBensel contributed with a 1st-place finish in the 300-meter hurdles (45.30), 2nd in the 400-meter dash (54.97), and the relay victory. Braedyn Snell ran a personal-best 11.72 to place 3rd in the 100-meter dash and added a 4th-place finish in the 200-meter dash (24.83), while also running on the winning relay team. Graham Karr placed 3rd in the 110-meter hurdles with a personal-best time of 18.44, and Lane Magarin took 5th in the 400-meter dash (58.58), also a personal best. Magarin rounded out the 1600-meter relay team. In field events, Justin Sharp tied for 6th in high jump, clearing 5’4”.
The Mustangs will continue their season at meets in Franklin, Shelton, and Blue Hill, leading up to the Twin Valley Conference meet on May 2 at Shelton. Kaylee Karr discusses the rest of the season: “We’ve been working hard all season to have a chance to qualify for the state meet. We’re hoping to not just make it to Omaha, but to earn a medal with our 1600-meter relay team. We have a lot of members of our team who have the opportunity to perform well at conference and districts.”