Linn track athletes competed at the Harrisburg Relays on Friday, turning in several strong performances against a large field.

“This meet provided a really good opportunity for all of our athletes to compete by offering a JV division,” said Coach Robyn Baker. “

Aaden Nelson led the boys with a fourth-place finish in the triple jump (PR, 11.71m), while the 4x100-meter relay team of Nelson, James Brandt, Cody Heckman, and Tommy Scheulen placed fourth in 46.21.

Heckman added a fifth-place finish in the 200-meter dash (24.23). Scheulen placed eighth in the 110-meter hurdles (18.80), and Reid Baker finished ninth in the 300-meter hurdles (47.52).

The 4x800-meter relay team of Vince Tschappler, Baker, Jackson Hamburg, and Emmit Mehmert placed fourth in 9:44.55.

In the JV 4x200-meter relay, the team of throwers, Colton Bridges, Xavier Knoll, Dillon Strope, and Andrew Rotter, ran a time of 2:07 for 16th place. “They were excited to race and gave it their all,” said Baker. “The second event everyone looks forward to was the throwers’ 4x100 relay. Tiauna Friend, Madison Wood, Ian Laughlin, and Knox Sowders placed second (57.80) and were great fun to watch.”

On the girls’ side, the 4x800-meter relay team of Ruby Herndon, Adalyn Brandt, Genna Haslag, and Sophia Lopez placed sixth in 12:35.90, while the squad of Herndon, Adalyn Brandt, Bria Kempker, and Lopez ran the 4x400 in 5:19.67 for eighth place.

“Elyse Brandt continues to shave off time in her long races; this time, it was the 3200 (15:47.04),” said Coach Baker. “Bria has been working on her hurdle races and saw season bests in both the 100 (21.80) and 300 (1:02.97) hurdles.

Linn hosted its invitational last Monday, with several athletes recording top finishes on their home track.

“Our invitational turned out to be a really nice meet, both for our athletes and the other 16 schools attending,” said Baker. “We had great weather, lots of volunteer help, and attentive middle school athletes who helped the meet run smoothly.”

Baker moved some athletes around to try different events and fill in some gaps.

The 4x100-meter relay team of Brandt, Heckman, Paulie Lopez, and Sowders placed third in 47.59. “They had a good time for the first competition as a group,” said Baker.

Heckman led the boys with fourth-place finishes in both the 100-meter dash (11.65) and 200-meter dash (24.04), while Hamburg placed sixth in the 1600-meter run (5:12.87) and seventh in the 3200 (11:48.08).

The 4x800 relay team of Tschappler, Franken, Baker, and Hamburg continues to see success in their race, earning fifth in 9:38.61. “Isaiah was a new addition to the group and proved he has some good running strength,” said Baker.

Ian Laughlin finished seventh in the discus (29.55m), and Xavier Knoll claimed eighth (29.45m), as Sowders finished eighth in the javelin (34.63m).

In the 4x400-meter relay, the team of Owen Jaegers, Tschappler, Mehmert, and Carson Kliethermes ran a time of 4:24.06 for eighth.

On the girls’ side, the 4x800-meter relay team of Herndon, A. Brandt, Haslag, and Lopez placed fourth in 12:25.15, and E. Brandt posted a fifth-place finish in the 1600-meter run (7:06.01).

Madison Wood added a fifth-place finish in the shot put (8.89m) and a sixth-place finish in the javelin (28.52m).

“Sophia had the opportunity to run the 800 open (3:21.49) and did well,” said Coach Baker. “She wants to do a little more long-distance running, and this was a good start. Genna is excited to try a little more jumping and did the long jump (3.61m) for us. It will be good to see her progress in those.”