ShawneeDispatch.com

Mill Valley's track team got off to a running start Friday afternoon at the Ottawa Relays.

Joined by Lawrence Free State, Ottawa, Blue Valley, Kearney and Olathe Northwest, the Jaguars shined throughout the all-day event and emerged as one of the meet's top track and field schools.

The Lady Jags won the meet by a large margin with 168 points, defeating second-place Free State by 20, and medaled in 15 separate events.

Leading Mill Valley's girls team was Whitney Coleman, a senior who took home first place in the javelin (109 feet, 5 inches), shot-put (36 feet), and discus (113 feet, 6 inches), while setting new school records in all three events.

"Whitney had an outstanding meet," Mill Valley track coach Mark Peck said. "I was pleased to see her come out and throw so well, especially so early in the year."

Also impressive for Mill Valley were first-place finishers Sarah Karcher (800 meters) and Sarah Exon (300 meter hurtles), and second-place finishers Andrea Clabaugh (100 meter dash), Kelsey O' Hara (3200 meter run) and Emily Gilbreath (1600 meter run). The five were some of the key players who paced the Jaguars to an overwhelming first place finish.

Peck's Lady Jags also dominated the relays and managed to take home first in the 4 x 100, the 4 x 400 and the 4 x 800 by utilizing a combination of sprinters and long-distance specialists.

"The girls faced some very strong teams in Free State and Blue Valley, and were able to beat them," Peck said. "I wasn't surprised that we won the meet because we have a very strong team, but I was impressed with how consistent the girls ran today, and their performance was deserving of the victory."

While the girls team dominated their competition, the boys were almost just as impressive and brought home medals in 11 events on way to a third place team finish.

Most exceptional on the boys side were senior Stephen Scott and sophomore Justin Woods.

Scott, a transfer from Schlaegle High School, finished first in both the triple and high jump and set a Mill Valley school record in the high jump at 6 feet, 2 inches.

What makes Scott's feat most impressive is that he had never previously competed in the triple jump.

Peck also utilized Scott's athleticism and speed on the track, where he competed in the Jags' third place, 4 x 400 team.

"Stephen is a very strong athlete, and he will be a good addition to the team this year," Peck said. "We also plan to use him in several events, because he is too good an athlete to only compete in one event."

While Scott was jumping his way to first place finishes, Woods was scorching the track on way to a first place finish in the 200 meter dash at 23.59 seconds, and a second place, photo finish in the 100 meter dash at 11.14 seconds.

"I was very pleased with Justin, and he posted some really good times, especially in such windy conditions," Peck said. "What's more impressive is that he almost took first in both events and will only improve as the season progresses."

Other notable performers on the day were Kyle Hancock (52 feet, 3 inches) and Max Rinkel (50 feet, 9 inches), who placed second and third respectively in the shot-put event. In the javelin throw, Zach Starnes recorded a second place finish and personal best.

Overall, Peck said he was very happy with his team at such an early stage and was excited to see how they compete down the stretch when they have had more time to hone their skills and reach their full potential.

"As a coach, I was totally pleased with our effort," he said. "The kids gave 100 percent, and that is what we ask of them.

"The places and finishes will fall where they fall, but I walked away absolutely pleased with the kids' effort, especially for the first time out and in less than ideal conditions."

If the Jaguars can continue to improve as their coach believes they can, the Mill Valley record books may undergo some re-writing by season's end.

The Jags will return to the track on Thursday, April 7, when they host the 2005 Jaguar Invitational at Mill Valley High School.

The meet will feature some of the area's top talent and will provide the Jags with a tough test as the season gets into full swing.

Thursday's events are scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m., with the finals beginning some time in the early evening.