Matt Burr Invitational Highlights
I have some more highlights for you high school track fans out there. These are from the Matt Burr Invitational, held at North Sevier last Saturday. The meet featured some of the state’s best 1A and 2A athletes.
Most Impressive Performances —
Josh Monson, Richfield: Monson is in strong form a month into the season. He edged Panguitch star Trac Norris for the 3200 meters title after finishing in 10:28.53 — a mere 1.32 seconds ahead of Norris. Monson added a victory in the 1600 with a winning time of 4:55.53.
Trac Norris, Panquitch: While Norris came up short in the 3200, he did more than enough to take home a victory — and state qualifying time — in the 800. Norris posted a winning time of 2:03.10, which was nearly 12 full seconds ahead of his closest competitor in the race.
Eric Durrant, Richfield: Durrant swept both the 110 hurdles and 300 hurdles, picking up victories while posting times in both events at least a second under the 2A qualifying marks. Durrant finished in the 110 at 15.98 seconds and posted a time of 42.49 in the 300.
Cheyenne Thatcher, Gunnison: Thatcher, a senior, claimed a pair of impressive victories in the 100 meter dash and the 200. She finished in 12.94 seconds to win the 100 and crossed the line in 26.57 to prevail in the 200.
Erica Birk, North Summit: Birk, a freshman distance runner, claimed victory in the 1600 with ease. She finished in 5:38.75 to win the event — which was nearly seven seconds under the state qualifying time.
Tayson Whittaker, Richfield: Whittaker blew the competition away in the discus. His winning throw, 148 feet and 8.25 inches, beat the 5A state qualifying mark by five feet. It was 22 feet better than the 2A mark. Whittaker also won in the shot put with a throw of 42′ 10.75″
Most Impressive Teams —
Richfield: There is no way the Wildcats will be denied a 2A boys title this spring if they continue posting performances like this. Richfield ran away with the boys team title at North Sevier after scoring 225 points — 146 more than second-place finisher Rich. The Wildcats placed first in every event except the 800 and the javelin. Monson, Durrant, Whittaker and J.D. Michaelson led the way with two event victories apiece.
North Summit: The Braves didn’t score a ton of individual event wins beyond Brik’s triumph in the 1600. But they piled up enough top three finishes to capture the girls team title with 134.5 points — a total 34.5 points ahead of second-place Richfield. North Summit’s team is young but talented and they should only get better as the season progresses.
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