The track and field team finished with ten medalists, two school records and its first ever state champion at the state meet on May 26 and 28.
Junior Sophie Wartena entered the State meet with high hopes to break the school record and did just that. Wartena took home both third in the 300 meter hurdles and seventh in the 100 meter hurdles. Wartena also finished with her first ever school record.
“My goal for state was to break the school record for the 300 meter hurdles, and it feels really great to have achieved that goal,” Wartena said.
Other outstanding finishes came from senior Nate Solly who finished fourth in the 300 meter hurdles. Solly also competed with Christopher Hanson (10), Isaiah Owens (11), and Cameron Roberson (11) as a team in the 4 by 400 relay. The relay team finished in sixth place.
Along with the many sprinters who had outstanding finishes there were multiple distance runners who also had some of their best races.
Senior Andrew Cooper finished with his lifetime best in the 3200 meter and became Liberty’s first state champion in an individual running event.
Another record breaking time came from junior Brigette Takeuchi in the girls’ 3200 meter. Takeuchi destroyed the school record along with finishing fourth overall.
“This was the first year where I have been able to actually finish the season because I have always gotten injured in the past,” Takeuchi said. “It felt really good to be able to finish off the season this year.”
The girls’ 4 by 200 relay comprised of Gabrielle Owens (9), Taylor Mulqueeny (9), Marissa Mills (10) and Sophie Wartena took seventh.
Throwing finishers include Taylor Krzycki, who took fifteenth in javelin.
“This season began a little shaky, but overall, I feel like we did really well as a team and these outstanding finishes at State definitely raise the bar for next year,” Mills said.