Host Knights sweep Colony Invitational team titles

PALMER — As Colony entered the 2018 track and field season, the Knights had to figure out a way to fill the void left by former standout Brandon Nicholson, who earned 4A boys’ state titles in the high jump and triple jump last spring.

As Nicholson competes as a freshman with the UAA Seawolves, a Colony freshman is beginning to make an impact with Nicholson’s former team.

McMahon won both the high jump and the long jump during the Colony Invitational at Colony High School. McMahon hit personal bests in both events to help Colony finish first in the boys’ standings. He hit 5 feet, 10 inches in the high jump, and 38-2 in the long jump.

Colony also swept the boys’ throwing events en route to amassing 249 total points in the team standings. Senior Jarek Schultz won the discus with the top throw in the state this season, 144-11. Andres Ramirez-Nunn finished first in the shot put, with a distance of 44-2.5.

Gavin Block led Colony’s runners, with a victory in the 3,200 meters. Colony also earned wins in the 400, 800 and 3,200 relay races.

The Colony girls completed the sweep of the team standings, with 197 total points in the Colony Invite.

Senior Grace Looney swept the girls’ throwing events, winning both the shot put and discus. Her throw of 36-9.25 in the shot put is a personal best.

Senior Jill Bowker led the Colony runners, with a victory in the 3,200 meters. Colony also won the 400 and 3,200 relay races.

Palmer finished as the runner-up in both classes, earning 142 total points in the boys’ team standings and 112 on the girls’ side.

Senior Larry Cutsforth led the Moose boys with victories in both the 400 meters and 300 hurdles. Amiqaq Maclean (800), Matthew Daniels (100 hurdles) and Jaden Caple (long jump) also posted wins. The Moose were first in the 1,600-meter relay.

Teeana Nicholai sprinted to a win in the 100 for the Palmer girls, who also scored wins in the 800 and 1,600 relays.

The Wasilla girls and boys were both fourth in the team standings. Allison VanPelt earned wins in both the 400 and 1,600. Her time of 1:02.90 in the 400 was a personal best.

Lizzie Palmberg swept the girls’ hurdles events for Wasilla Lake Christian. Maya Mossanen won the both the girls’ 800 and high jump for Susitna Valley.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@fronteirsman.com.