The California High School varsity track team competed at the University of Central Missouri (UCM) indoor track meet at Warrensburg March 24, the first meet of the season for California, where approximately 30 teams of 3A and 4A schools participated, and the top six finishers in each event medaled.
"Usually this is the best competition we will see all year due to the larger schools attending," California Coach Rick Edwards said.
Among the medalists for California was Nathan Squires, who placed second in the Shot Put with 51'.
"Our throwers on the boys' side, Nathan Squires and Ramiro Garcia, did a great job competing today with some stiff competition," Edwards said. "The winner was from Blue Springs and Nathan was right on his heals. A 51' throw right out of the gate is big. Coach (Jon) Lindquist is doing a very good job of coaching his throwers and it's showing in the results."
Also medaling for California were Katie Imhoff, who finished the 1600 Meter in fourth place with 5:48; Kayla Allison, who placed fifth in the Pole Vault, while Luke Burger finished sixth; and Walker Borghardt, who placed fifth in the Long Jump with 19'11".
"Walker ran and jumped well today," Edwards said. "He was .2 faster in the 55 than last year, where he finished sixth, but it was a lot faster race this year. Katie Imhoff ran a good time in the 1600 and we are looking for a good season from her this year. Kayla Allison also did a very good job. She ran a 400 right before she pole vaulted and still got a medal. That allowed some other girls to run in the meet. She could have probably gone a couple more heights had the two events not overlapped."
Other results for California included: Ramiro Garcia, eighth place, Shot Put; Ellie Wirts, 15th, 55 Meter, and 10th place, 400 Meter, 69.4; Dylan Albertson, 15th, 400 Meter, 55.4; and Ethan Hodges, 15th, 800 Meter, 2:18.
"Ellie Wirts ran well for a freshman and she competed hard," Miller said.
The team of Seth Fairchild, Borghardt, AJ Kendrick and Dylan Norton placed ninth in the 4x200 Meter Relay, and the team of Norton, Albertson, Conner George and Phillip Strobel placed 10th in the 4x400 Meter Relay.
"Our boys' relays ran well, placing in the top 10 in both relays," Edwards said.
The CHS track team will compete at the Linn Invitational at 1 p.m. Thursday.