Valley athletes compete in Palmer Invite

Ella Hopkins used a pair of wins to help lead the Colony Knights to a runner-up finish in the team standings of the Palmer Invitational track and field meet.

Hopkins, a sophomore, finished first in the 1,600- and 3,200-meter events. She also set season bests in both races. Hopkins clocked a time of 5 minutes, 22.38 seconds in the 1,600 and 11:59 in the 3,200.

The Knights finished with 117 total points in the girls standings. South Anchorage won the title with 141 points.

Lucy Shea also won an event for the Colony girls, placing first in the 5,000 meters. Morgan Ainsworth was second in the 800, and Breeze Buchanan (5,000) and Calista Ousley (shot put) both finished third.

Wasilla’s Eric Kolomeychuk also won two events, sweeping the boys throwing events. Kolomeychuk used a personal record throw of 145 feet to win the discus. He had a season best toss of 52-2 to place first in the shot put.

Matthew Rongitsch and Jack Nash earned first-place finishes for Colony, which placed third in the boys team standings. Rongitsch used a personal record time of 4:25.58 to win the 1,600. Nash had a personal record of 40 feet, 11 inches, and finished first in the triple jump. Trevor Jamison was also second in the triple jump for the Knights, and Jayce Underwood was second in both the high jump and long jump.

Tim Grisso scored third-place finishes for the Wasilla boys in the 100 and 200.

Alexia Pike led Redington with a first-place finish and personal record throw of 108-10 in the girls discus. Myles Campbell led the Redington boys with a third-place finish in the triple jump.

Layla Hays was first in the shot put, with a personal record throw of 35-8, and second in the discus for the Wasilla girls. Caelynn Carter was second for Wasilla in the girls 300 hurdles.

Abby Pettit (shot put), Avery Johnson (high jump) and Lydia Alverts (triple jump) each finished second for the Palmer girls.

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