Visser Impresses With Distance Sweep In 4A (9:18/4:28/1:56)

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

While the Wyoming State Track and Field Championships didn’t have the allure of Rawlins senior superstar runner Sydney Thorvaldson, who missed the meet due to recovery from an injury earlier this spring, the three-day meet brought a new set of highlights after a year's absence due to the pandemic. 

At Harry Geldien Stadium in Casper,  Star Valley standout distance runner Peter Visser broke the 4A 3,200 state meet record, clocking 9:18.79 The previous record was 9:21.29, by Cody’s Brody Smith set in 2015. Visser, a senior who is signed to Weber State this fall, also won the 1,600 (4:28.02) and 800 (1:56.34) to complete the distance sweep.  

In the field events, Kelly Walsh junior Cameron Burkett Jr won the 4A shot put title with a current top 25 throw of 61-1

The Sheridan boys put up an impressive 130.5 points to claim the team title. 

In girls 4A action, the Jackson Hole girls 1600 SMR broke the all-time state record, clocking 4:11.53.

Cody senior Grace Shaffer broke the state pole vault record, clearing 12-6.50.

Lauryn Love, a senior from Gillette, who will throw at the University of Arizona this fall, won the shot put title with a US#20 throw of 46-11. 

The 3A boys team title came down to the 4x400 relay with Lander and Mountain View both tied with 107 points entering the event. Lander was able to capture third place (3:36.12) and the team title (113 points) as Mountain View, the defending 2019 champions, faded to eighth place, settling for runner-up honors. 

Current top 25 discus thrower in the country, Lyman senior Joseph Turner, claimed the 3A title (175-10) and won the shot put (57-5.75).

The Powell girls claimed the 3A team title, as junior Jenna Hillman won the 200 (26.90) and finished second in the 400 (58.77) and was a part of the first-place 4x400 (4:08.51).

It was a dominating effort at the 2A level as the Tongue River girls scored a whopping 60 points between the 100, 200 and 400 events. Freshman Addie Pendergast led the way for her team winning the 100 (13.0), 400 (56.88) and 800 (2:20.02). She also ran n the winning SMR that set a class record, clocking 4:19.03. 

The boys 2A title was won in similar dominating fashion as Rocky Mountain put up 161 points to win the championship. Rocky Mountain swept the triple jump, pole vault, claiming the top three spots. The team also got wins in the long jump and high jump. 

In 1A, the Cokeville girls defended their title from 2019, as freshman Bryli Groll won golds in the 400 (1:00.90) and 800 (2:26.50) and ran on the first-place 4x400 (4:23.32).

Southeast junior Jordan Stoddard won the long jump in a 1A Class record mark of 19-4.25.

The Burlington boys denied Cokeville a program sweep, edging out Cokeville 110-108 for the 1A state championship. Burlington senior Gideon George led the charge, winning the triple jump (43-7) and high jump (6-0).

Cokeville senior Ethan Bird won the 800 (2:01.08), 1,600 (4:41.65) , finished third in the 3,200 (10:40.95) and ran on the winning 4x400 (3:35.82).

Team Champions - 

Class 4A - Sheridan boys, 130.50 boys 43 points, Cheyenne Central  85.50 points RESULTS

Class 3A - Lander boys 113 points, Powell girls 105 points RESULTS

Class 2A - Rocky Mountain boys 151 points, Tongue River girls 158 points RESULTS

Class 1A - Burlington boys 110 points, Cokeville girls 115 points RESULTS