Mustang track begins 2023 season at Binfield Invite

By Scott Bidroski

The Gordon-Rushville Mustang Track & Field team is officially out of the blocks in 2023.

The team traveled to Scottsbluff, Neb. to get their season started and all the athletes got in on the action.

G-R was one of five teams attending the meet. They were joined by Scottsbluff, North Platte, Torrington, Wyo., and Lingle Ft. Laramie, Wyo.

While the weather has not been conducive for workouts, the Mustangs had a strong showing.

“This meet went very well. We had a lot of good times, jumps, and throws to start the year,” said Head Coach Nate Haag.

“We had some kids that came out with similar marks that they ended last year with. That gives us something to improve on,” he added.

Leading the charge were two juniors who are looking to keep the successes of the season previous rolling right into 2023.

Tyrah American Horse kicked off her season with a pair of first place finishes.

In the 1600 meter race, American Horse ran a time of 6:00.14 and in the 3200 meter race with a time of 12:50.88. Both of these marks were good enough for the top spot on the podium.

Fellow junior McKinley Grover also notched a pair of first place finishes as well.

Grover marked with a 35-04.25 in the Shot Put and a 121-04 in the Discus, earning her two gold medals.

The other first place finisher for the Mustangs was the 4x800 relay team on the girls side.

American Horse, sophomore Rylie Barker, freshman Kylie Goings, and junior Haley Johnson ran a time of 10:51.40 and picked up the first place win.

Other top finishers for the Mustangs included:

800 meters - Haley Johnson, 2:39.53, second place.

200 meters - Jace Freeseman, 23.27, second place, personal best.

400 meters - Jace Freeseman, 52.37, second place.

High Jump - Ellis Livingston, 5-06.00, third place.

800 meters - Franklin Johns, 2:06.46, third place, personal best.

300 meter hurdles - Aydon McDonald, 42.66, third place.

400 meters - Kylie Goings, 1:11.12, fourth place, personal best.

Long Jump - Haley Johnson, 15-06.00, fourth place.

1600 meters - Gregory Johns, 5:10.96, fifth place, personal best.

110 meter hurdles - Aydon McDonald, 17.48, fifth place.

Long Jump - Austin Child, 17-07.00, fifth place, personal best.

Discus - Atreyu Thorsen, 125-00, fifth place.

The team will get another full week of practice logged this before hitting the road once again for a track meet in Bayard on Saturday, April 1.

As far as improving those times and taking steps forward? Coach Haag knows better times and marks are coming.

“We need to get into track shape. That will come with time and training,” said Coach Haag.

“We should perform well at our next meet in Bayard and continue to get better and see improved marks,” he added.