Sidney Ready to Make Noise at State Track

SIDNEY – The Sidney boys and girls track teams head for Omaha this week for the Nebraska School Activities Association Track and Field Championships at Omaha Burke High School. Making the trip for the Raiders are 10 boys competing in 10 events and three girls competing in five events.

The Sidney boys are coming off of a B-6 District title where every point was scored by someone finishing in the top three in their event. All 10 of Sidney’s state qualifiers are ranked in the top-10 in Class B in their qualifying event, including a trio of events that the Raiders have the state’s leading performance. Senior Mitch Deer has the state’s fastest time in the 400 Meters and along with fellow seniors Cameron Brauer, Treyson Johnstone, and Daniel Bashtovoi has the state’s fastest 4x800 Relay time. Sidney also heads into the state meet all three high jumpers ranked in the top-3 with senior Sawyer Dickman leading the pack with the top spot at 6’7”. That makes the Red Raiders a legitimate favorite to come away with a state title when the dust settles in Omaha.

Sidney Head Coach Matt McKay feels pretty good about their chances. “We have kids in ten events, so I think that gives us a good shot. High Jump is obviously really strong for us. We’re sitting first second and fourth in that right now going into state, so that’s good for us,“ McKay said. “We have two of the top four 800 runners, two of the top four milers. We have the best 4x800 Relay team, we have a top three 4x100, we have a top four 4x400, so feeling pretty good going down there.” McKay also noted that he was feeling pretty good about the sprinters as well. “Honestly we’re just feeling pretty good right now.”

Sidney’s 4x800 Relay team has been leading Class B since early in the season and seemingly has run faster each time out. McKay has been impressed those seniors. “Our four distance guys, the seniors this year, they’re the hardest working guys I’ve ever been around,” McKay said. “It’s fun to see what they can do. That team right now ran an 8:01 with no one pushing them.” McKay says, “I can’t wait to when somebody that’s run an 8:06 is right behind us, so we’ll see what they can do.”

Sidney has three sophomore girls looking to make some noise in Omaha. Karsyn Leeling enters the state meet sitting number two in the High Jump and number three in the Long Jump in Class B. Chloe Ahrens is coming off an injury, but is sitting with the third best time in the 100 Meter Hurdles and also qualified in the 300 Meter Hurdles. Talissa Tanquary is also coming off an injury and will compete in the 800 Meters.

Classes A and B compete on Wednesday and Thursday in Omaha. Classes C and D will take to the track on Friday and Saturday. McKay feels that Sidney may have another advantage in Omaha. He notes, “What other people don’t realize is that’s 4000 feet lower than where we’re at. We technically train at elevation. So, we’re hoping to go down there, stay hydrated, don’t let the humidity get to us. If we can have the conditions we’re looking for and stay hydrated, I thing our training at quote unquote elevation is going to help us.