By NICK McQUEEN
nmcqueen@dailynews.net
In the Western Athletic Conference Championships, the Hays High School track and field team got some needed help from some athletes a little out of position.
They competed so well for the Indians, that first-year coach Rick Blosser decided to leave them there for Friday's Class 5A Regional Championships at Newton.
Hays HIgh finished third on the girls' side at the WAC meet, while the boys placed second in preparation for the Newton regional.
The top four finishers in each event advance to the Class 5A State Championships next week at Wichita's Cessna Stadium.
"The kids have had a great week of practice," Blosser said. "We've been laid back a little bit, but have had some good quality work and have been done early."
Blosser was optimistic about the number of Indians that will make it through. Hays High will send 31 athletes to Friday's regional with hopes of qualifying at least two relay teams on each side, and more than a handful of individuals.
"I was really pleased with how we competed last week in the WAC," Blosser said. "We had some kids compete in some events they haven't competed in all year just to try and get a couple points. They were good enough that we kept them in the same events for regionals."
On the boys' side, the usual suspects in the form of sophomore Josh Munsch and senior Sol Jackson led the way at WAC, along with sophomore Brad Pruter, who scored 20 points to help Hays High to the runner-up finish.
"He's been a kid that has continued to get better," Blosser said of Pruter. "He works hard and is a neat kid. He really stepped it up."
Pruter won both the triple jump and javelin last week at WAC, and was second only to sophomore teammate Emir Laroya in the long jump. The jumping duo will be looking for state qualifications in both events.
"Those guys should both get in," Blosser said. "In the javelin, Brad will have to throw really well."
The boys' throwers should also be in the thick of things for a state qualification. Senior Evan Charles and sophomore Tyler Rathke were second and third behind Liberal standout Joe Bach in the discus at WAC, while senior Scott Bailey and junior Tyler Riebel were second and third in the shot put, again behind Bach, who is well out in front in both events.
"I am very optimistic about the numbers we'll have qualify for state," Blosser said.
On the track, runners like Munsch (1,600 and 800), and Jackson (200, 400) are in solid position to reach state, but nothing is guaranteed. Both will also run legs on the 1,600-meter and 3,200-meter relays. Munsch has the best times in the area in both the half mile and mile, and won WAC championships last week. In order to solidify both relays, Munsch will be used as well, along with Jackson, senior Brogan Miller and sophomore Brock Riedel.
"So far, our kids have stepped up to the challenges, and they've competed well," Blosser said.
On the girls' side, Fleharty again looks for a qualification in the 100-meter hurdles. Fleharty, the school record holder in the event, won the WAC last week in a time of 15.04 seconds. In the 300 hurdles, Blosser said, she'll have to compete hard and could be on the bubble. She finished second in the 300 hurdles at the league meet.
In the 800, junior Raena Sander should have a chance, Blosser said. Sander finished third in the WAC.
The Indians' 3,200-meter relay has been a go-to event for the girls this season. The team of Sander, sophomore Kylie Gaughan and freshmen Sheridan Fabrizius and Bailey Zimmerman won the WAC crown last week by more than 20 seconds over Liberal, and is one of a few teams this season to break 11 minutes. They are ranked sixth in Class 5A
"That's one even we're counting on," Blosser said. "They will have to run well, but they look good going in."