Burnet track season ends at regionals
CAPTION: Senior Wrigley Mulhollan writes her name on the track and field board by setting a record in the 300-meter hurdles at the Class 4A Region III meet. Photo by Martelle Luedecke/Luedecke Photography
The Burnet High School track and field athletes displayed the Spirit, Pride and Honor its school district is known for as the Bulldogs and Lady Dawgs competed at the Class 4A Region III meet May 1-2.
Senior Wrigley Mulhollan clocked 47.39 seconds in the 300-meter hurdles and fulfilled a goal she has had for awhile.
“Wrigley ran a personal best in some nasty weather,” head coach Crystal Shipley said. “She has earned her place in the BHS record books with that time. It has been a goal of hers since she was a freshman, and she conquered it. Placing fifth at area every year until her senior year proves that this kid is relentless. She overcame the disappointment each year and strived to get better to get her ticket to regionals! Her and coach Colton Brewer worked many hours on her speed and technique all four years. There are not enough words to describe how proud we are of Wrigley – she is just built different. She is going to be incredibly missed as well!
Senior Asah Roy was ninth in the 1,600 meters in 5:35.
“Asah knew this would be a tough race going in,” Shipley said. “She trained hard for the last two weeks to prepare. The race started out really fast with all runners trying to get in a good spot, which affected all of their times. She and us coaches were pleased with how will she adjusted and placed well. We are incredibly proud of her. Her leadership in the distance group will be a huge loss. She is just an amazing person and has put Burnet girls distance runners on the map. She will be greatly missed.”
The 1,600-meter relay team finished 13th in 4:16.82.
“The mile relay has had everything against them all year,” the coach said. “We have only had the original four chosen for this race at the first meet of the year. With sickness, injury and conflict with other commitments, this team has not been the same all season. With that said, we have had athletes step up to complete this team and get them to regionals. Seniors Journey Denton, Asah Roy and Wrigley Mulhollan were among those that stepped up to fill open legs on the relay. Junior Savannah Myers made her varsity 4×4 relay debut at the regional track meet, and I could not be more proud of her for stepping out of her comfort zone to give our team a chance to compete. Although it wasn’t our best time of the season, they never backed down from a challenge, and they finished the season proud.”
The Bulldogs’ 400-meter relay team was ninth in 42.97 seconds.
The runners did all of that in a downpour May 1.
“The weather Friday was awful, but our kids overcame and competed well,” Shipley said. “It was a rolling schedule so we could get everything in. Bullard did a great job running the meet.”
Junior Colt McGraw was 14th in the triple jump with a mark of 39 feet and 10.25 inches May 2.
Sophomore Lacie Lewis tied for 11th in the pole vault by clearing 11-0 . Shipley called Lewis “a great story as well.”
“Last year, as a sophomore, she advanced to (the) area (meet) and went in ranked to be a regional qualifier,” she said. “She did not have a good day, and it has stuck with her for a year. This year, she came out on fire. Her form was better than I have ever seen. She was on a mission, and she achieved a new personal best at 9-6 to earn her first ticket to regionals. Coach (Jordan Heusinkveld) and her worked around her softball schedule to help her improve each week and it paid off. She still has one more year to continue that climb of improvement and confidence. We are so proud her.”
Senior Bulldogs Cohen Jorpeland was named second team all-state, and Clay Lamb, Nathan Torres and Matthew Williams were named honorable mention by the Texas High School Coaches Association.
While the program says good-bye to the seniors, Shipley noted they left an impact on the program and believes the lettermen witnessed and learned plenty.
“I hope that our senior leadership was contagious and will be implemented by the sophomores and juniors,” she said. “The way they are always willing to step up when needed is something special. I cannot brag on them enough for doing the hard things. I don’t think they understand the impact they have made by their unselfishness and commitment to this program. They are something special, and I know they are going to do big things in their next chapter.”
CAPTION: Asah Roy competes with all she has in the 1,600 meters. Photo by Jacob Oshel/Jarrell Independent School District
