ERIC X. VICCARO

Sports Editor

Guymon Daily Herald

 

ERIC X. VICCARO/Guymon Daily Herald, photos

 

 

Guymon High School track and field athlete Alison Peacock, front, awaits a baton from teammate Myca Hunter during Wednesday’s practice for the 4x100-meter relay at Memorial Stadium.

 

Guymon High School girls’ track and field coach Ty Ware is simply pleased that the weather will most likely cooperate this year.

See, the 2007 Guymon Invitational was scrapped the first time around by a freak April snowstorm. Then the Tigers played host to a limited meet several days later.

That won’t be the case here as Guymon plays host to its own track and field invitational that will begin at 1 p.m. at Carl and Lou McKinnon Field at Memorial Stadium Friday with field events and the 4x800-meter relay.

Ware said he likes that Guymon has a young track and that the team won’t have to hit the highway this week.

“The track is just a few years old and it’s in good shape,” Ware said. “All the parents will come and cheer on their kids. And we don’t have to travel, which is nice.”

The Tigers will have to make hay, er, lots of points in the relays and sprinting events.

Briana Labrier, Alison Peacock, Myca Hunter, Devery Shaddy, Rebecca Peacock and Sydney Ritter are all set to compete for the Tigers in the 100-meter dash. Ritter, Shaddy and Desirée Romero are set for the 200 dash.

In the middle distances, Ruby Olivas and Myriam Hernandez will compete in the 400 run and Stefani Almeida will join those two competitors in the 800 for the Tigers.

Shelby Hayes returns to the fold this week and will run in the 1,600. No Tiger will compete in the 3,200.

The relays are set.

Hunter, Alison Peacock, Brittany Gallegos and Labrier will run the 4x100-meter relay. The same foursome is set for the 4x200-meter event. 

“We’ve been strong all year in the 4x100,” Ware said. “Our times are getting better. Our goal for this meet is to have a 52-second sprint relay time.”

Ware said Alison Peacock has given a big boost to the Tiger relays, and Labrier’s injury-free season has also been a help.

In the 4x400-meter relay, Hayes will join Gallegos, Hunter and Almeida. The 4x800-meter contingent will be comprised of Hayes, Gallegos, Almeida and Hernandez.

Marisa Taylor, Karen Esquivel and Tené Nelson will perform in the throwing disciplines of the shot put and discus.

The Tigers will be without the services of two performers due to the state speech and debate meet. Lauren Gibson usually runs the hurdles, chiefly the 100-meter event. Vanessa DeWilde typically performs in the jumps. 

There are other athletes will be unable to compete. Veronica Lozano and Chenelle Bowers will be playing soccer at Bethany. Brooke Keenan and Bailey Wells have medical concerns that have both of them shelved.

Still, Ware is confident the Tigers can generate enough points to compete in the meet.

“We have to keep getting better,” the coach commented. “We need to run faster times. Every meet up until the regional is good practice.”

In the team standings, Beaver has been dominating meets so far this season because of its depth and strength in the relays.

Expect the Dusters to be near or at the top of the ladder. Texhoma will also be in the mix.

In terms of individuals, Laura Voth of Hooker is one to watch in the middle- to long-distance races. Chanel Henderson could give Texhoma big points in the throws. Boise City and Beaver will put on a good show in the pole vault.

 

ERIC X. VICCARO/Guymon Daily Herald, photos

 

 

Guymon’s Shelby Hayes should give the Tigers points in the 1,600-meter run and distance relays.

 

GUYMON TRACK AND FIELD INVITATIONAL INFORMATION
 

What: The Guymon Track and Field Invitational

When: Friday, 1 p.m.

Where: Carl and Lou McKinnon Field at Memorial Stadium, Guymon

Teams participating, high schools: Guymon, Texhoma, Forgan, Turpin, Boise City, Hooker, Yarbrough, Liberal, Kan., Gruver, Texas, Fort Supply, Laverne,  Goodwell and Beaver

Teams participating, junior high: Guymon Central Junior High, Texhoma, Turpin, Kepley of Ulysses, Kan., Hooker, Goodwell and Beaver

What’s At Stake: A plaque for the top team in both boys and girls and medals for the top-3 performers.

Admission: Free of charge. There will be a hospitality room for coaches and administration. A concession stand will also be available.

Note: This meet is pre-heated and all races will be timed finals.