Track teams scale things back but still excel at Solon Invitational

With the postseason just around the corner and the weather being cold and rainy, Avon’s track and field coaching staff decided to take it easy Friday in the Tom Iwan Invitational at Solon.

Despite holding out several key athletes and having others just do just a few events, the Eagles still did quite well, with the girls taking second to host Solon and the boys taking third behind Solon and University School.

Leading the way for the boys was thrower Max Hauck, who had a huge night, setting person records in both of his events. The senior won the shot put with an effort of 58 feet, 5 inches and also took second in the discus with a throw of 173-3 as Avon scored 84 points. Solon won the meet with 169, followed by University with 95.

Avon’s boys had one other first place, as the foursome of Bishop Weatherspoon, Sam Ulery, Graham Rowlison and Jairel Fenton took honors in the 4x100 relay with a time of 43.03. The same squad also took second in the 4x200 in 1:30.20. In addition, Fenton (11.11) and Weatherspoon (11.12) placed 2-3 in the 100 dash and Thomas Smith was second in the pole vault with an effort of 14-6.

Avon’s girls took three firsts on their way to 99½ points, well behind host Solon with 179 and well ahead of third-place Beachwood with 72. Ally Brediger won the 100 dash with a time of 12.04, Jessica Pendleton topped the field in the 1,600 with a PR time of 5:14.07, and Lily Hamilton took honors in the shot put (40-2¾).

Brediger teamed with Molley Kennedy, Madison Gettings and Jayla Antrum to place second in the 4x200 relay (1:43.18), and Avon also got third-place finishes from Mia Wirks in the high hurdles (16.05), Ava Melott in the 1,600 (5:20.61) and the team of Kennedy, Gettings, Audrey Niemiec and Breck Tarkany, which was third in the 4x100 relay (52.63).

Next on the schedule for the Eagles is the Southwestern Conference meet at Amherst May 13 and 15.