The Arlington track and field team arrived at Albion Boone Central on Thursday and got right to work.
Six Eagles earned state qualification early during Class B-4 District field events before two more joined their teammates in the meet's final event.
“Getting several qualifications early in the field events is always a great way to relieve a little of that district-meet tension and set the tone, and really the mood of the team, for later competition,” said AHS coach Steven Gubbels.
Overall, eight Arlington athletes will compete at Friday and Saturday's state meet in Omaha. Seven Eagle girls move onto the grand stage after a district runner-up team finish, while senior Jesse Thompson will represent the boys after a gold-medal performance in the shot put. His best throw covered 50 feet, 3 inches.
“Jesse is an explosive athlete who has great body awareness,” Arlington throws coach Jake Eckhardt said. “He has continued to work on his form all year and it is paying off now. He is peaking at the right time.”
Thompson will be joined by fellow throwers Kali Thomsen, Cadie Robinson and Taylor Arp at Omaha Burke Stadium. Thomsen was third in the discus with an attempt covering 110-3, while Robinson cleared 35-1 with her third-place shot put effort.
“Cadie and Kali have done a great job getting in the weight room. Neither have great size so they have to use their strength to their advantage,” Eckhardt said. “Cadie has changed her form over the year in shot and it has paid off. Kali gained confidence in the disc as this was her weaker event until this year.”
Thomsen's potential in the discus is growing as the state meet approaches.
“She has been getting her body into a better position to use her strength to throw far,” Eckhardt said. “Kali still hasn’t had her best throw of the year yet. Hopefully it comes out at state.”
Arp, meanwhile, earned her spot as an additional qualifier. She was fourth in the discus and fifth in the shot put Thursday.
Season-long Arlington standouts Kailynn Gubbels and Keelianne Green, however, combined for five individual event wins. Gubbels claimed three, winning the high jump first before first-place, dominant efforts in the 100- and 300-meter hurdles. She won the 300s in 46.27 after breaking her own school record in the 100s with a time of 14.52.
“Kailynn has shown incredible focus all season long,” coach Gubbels, her father, said. “She really thrives on competition.”
Steven noted that his daughter's efforts at “major meets,” including the Nebraska Capitol Conference and district events, demonstrate her “tremendous focus and competitive nature.”
Green excelled against tough competition as well Thursday. She qualified in the 200 dash, won the long jump and was second in the triple jump with leaps of 17-5 and 35-6, respectively.
The sophomore and Gubbels then combined with Chase Andersen and Kiersten Taylor to cap the B-4 meet with an event win. The lineup finished in 4:08.36, claiming gold.
Next, the Eagles seek more medals in Omaha.
