Palmer boys, Colony girls see early success

PALMER -- The results of the annual Wasilla Invitational may be a sign of things to come.

The Palmer boys and the Colony girls each took home the respective titles in the two-day track and field meet hosted by Wasilla High School.

Though it is still early in the season, the Moose boys and the Knight girls look as if they are poised to make an impact in Region III competition this year.

The Colony girls edged Palmer in the team standings. The Knights garnered 143 total points, while the Moose earned 134.

Colony was led by junior Shelby Beairsto who won both the 100-meter hurdles and the high jump.

Dominique Colberg blew past her competition to win the 3,200. Colberg also led the Knights to a pair of victories in the 1,600-meter relay and the 3,200-meter relay.

Colberg also finished second in the 300-meter hurdles. The senior chose to run the hurdles this season for the first time in her career.

The Palmer girls were paced by their sprinters and throwers. Denise Stanley scored a victory in the shot put with a throw just under 32 feet. Toni Cox won the discus for the Moose with a throw of 94 feet.

Sara Quier won the 100-meter sprint for Palmer with a time of 13.34. Emily Bolling placed first in the 400 for Palmer at 1-minute, 6-seconds.

The Palmer boys eased their way to the team title by virtually dominating the relay events. The Moose won the 400, 800, 1,600, and 3,200-meter relays on Thursday.

Aaron Dickson won the 800-meter for the Moose and brother Drew finished second in the 3,200. Olin Bingham won the 200-meter for Palmer and senior Dustin Eley, a first-year member of the Moose track and field team, crossed the tape first in the 100-meter sprint.

Junior Aumavae edged teammate Nick Pilch to win the shot put for Palmer.

Sophomores Peter Doner and Justin Schwartzbauer led the Knights. Doner won both the 1,600 and 3,200 and Schwartzbauer won the 300-meter hurdles and finished second in the triple jump.

The Wasilla boys had a pair of individual titles.

T.J. Crenshaw won the discus with a throw of just over 126-feet and Mason Heibel won the high jump with a jump of more than 18-feet.