By TYLER HENRY
Salina Post contributor
The Southeast of Saline track and field teams qualified 17 athletes for this year’s state meet as the boys rolled to back-to-back regional victories in Phillipsburg.
Despite a loaded field on both sides, the Trojans won 11 events, taking a spot on the podium in nine more.
On the boy’s side, Dylan Sprecker and Chase Poague showed out once again as Poague swept the 110 and 300m hurdles and Sprecker dominated the 800, 1600, and 3200.
Sprecker also helped the Trojans to a win in the 4x400m relay while Poague added a silver medal in the 100m dash, finishing second only to teammate Michael Murray.
Murray went on to take the top spot in the 200m dash as well, and with the speedster back at full strength, SES looks formidable in the sprints going into state.
Nakari Morrical-Palmer rounded out the winners on the boy's side placing first in the 400 and finishing second to Murray in the 200 for a second 1-2 Trojan finish.
Tate Nurnberg posted another strong performance collecting silver in the high and triple jumps while Damion Jackson took the second step in the 1600 for a 1-2 finish with Sprecker.
Levi Allen qualified for state in both the 3200 and 1600 finishing third and fourth respectively, with Cayden Walker rounding out the individual qualifiers coming home fourth in the 3200.
After the first place finish Drake Augustine, Nakari Morrical-Palmer and Omar Calzada will join Sprecker one final time on the state 4x400m relay team.
On the girl’s side, the Lady Trojans qualified seven athletes for state, anchored by two first-place finishes for Jentrie Alderson in the 1600 and 3200.
Ashley Prochazka became a double-qualifier as well, taking third in the 3200 and fourth in the 1600, with Abby Commerford qualifying in the 3200 as well.
Finally, Southeast was able to qualify their 4x800 meter relay team in a fourth-place finish to send four more Lady Trojans to state.
This year’s state meet will take place from May 27-28 at Cessna Stadium in Wichita as the Southeast of Saline boys’ team looks for a second consecutive state title next week.
For coverage of both teams at state stay tuned to the Salina Post.