The North Platte girls track and field team took another big step toward a potential four-peat, narrowly winning the Class 2 District 8 championship on Saturday, May 10, in Chillicothe.
The Panthers edged Penney by just two points — 118 to 116 — to capture the district title and keep their bid for a fourth consecutive state championship alive.
Senior standout Lindsay Ramsey once again delivered in a major way, winning the 100-meter dash, 400, and 800 to match her 30-point haul from last year’s district meet. Her dominance set the tone for a North Platte squad that qualified 13 performances for next weekend’s Class 2 Sectional 4 meet at Archie High School.
The Panthers also swept three girls relays — the 4x100, 4x400, and 4x800 — to help secure the narrow team victory.
On the boys side, junior Drake Keraus turned in a similarly dominant effort. He won the 800, 1600 and 3200 to score 30 points and lead North Platte to a fourth-place team finish.
North Platte senior Coen Rainsbarger in his pole vault to become a district champion on May 10 in Chillicothe. MACKENZE HOEFLING/Contributed Photo
Senior Coen Rainsbarger added a district title in the pole vault, clearing 3.95 meters to take first. High jumper Caleb Wright earned a runner-up finish, and five other boys also advanced to sectionals with top-four finishes.
Both North Platte squads now turn their attention to the sectional round on Saturday, May 17, in Archie, where state bids will be on the line.
West Platte crown 4 as district champions
West Platte track and field made a strong statement at the Class 2 District 8 meet on Saturday, May 10, in Chillicothe, bringing home four gold medals and qualifying 27 athletes for sectionals.
Both Blue Jays squads earned team bronze medals. The girls finished just half a point behind Penney for second place, while the boys came within a single point of catching Penney for runner-up and just 2.5 points shy of champion North Platte.
Seniors Jonah McGivern and Sam Baker led the way with gold-medal performances. McGivern won the boys long jump and added a third-place finish in the 400-meter dash to score 16 points.
Baker claimed gold in the 200 and silver in the 400 to contribute 18 points on the girls side.
West Platte also swept the boys sprint relays. The 4x100-meter relay team edged Plattsburg by 0.07 seconds, while the 4x200 relay topped East Buchanan by 0.4 seconds to claim another district title.
The Blue Jays added four silver medals. Sam Miller took second in the 3,200, and Alex Kinslow was runner-up in the 300 hurdles. On the girls side, Cambrie Swope (discus) and Katherine Carletti (pole vault) each earned silver, while both the 4x100 and 4x200 girls relays also placed second.
In total, West Platte qualified 15 girls and 12 boys for the Class 2 Sectional 4 meet, which will take place Saturday, May 17, at Archie High School.
West Platte’s Alex Kinslow at the district meet on May 10 in Chillicothe. CHRIS KENDALL/Contributed Photo