OHS throwers dominate
Peoples, McFarland break meet, school records
By GREG MAST, Herald Sports Editor
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SPRING HILL — The bar keeps getting higher. Ottawa High School track team throwers had quite a day Thursday in the Frontier League track meet at Spring Hill.
They all had personal bests, set two meet and school records and moved up the charts among the best in state history.
“It was a great day here,” Ottawa throwers coach Evan Shaffer said. “We want the state here.”
The day began well as Ottawa sophomore Kearston Peoples broke her own league and school record in the shot put with a mammoth toss of 47 feet, 3.75 inches, which ranks sixth all-time in Kansas girls track history.
Later, Kara McFarland broke the school and meet mark in the discus at 141-1. She broke the school record of 138-9 set by Rachel Goetz in 2000. McFarland’s toss was nine feet farther than her previous best.
The boys were not to be outdone. Brandon Turner turned in two personal-best performances and Sam Blecha had his best day in the shot put.
The two Cyclones swept the shot put. Blecha won it with a toss of 55-7.5, which ranks fourth all-time in school history. Turner’s toss of 50-11 was his best to take second.
Turner, after a slow start in the discus, finished fourth with a 140-0 toss. Blecha was fifth at 131-10.
In the javelin, Ben Harris and Ryan Bellinger had their best days. Harris was fourth at 147-0 and Bellinger, sixth, 144-10.
Jamie Allen was fourth in the javelin with a season-best of 109-10.
Peoples and McFarland were all smiles after their record-setting performances.
“I can’t believe it,” Peoples said. “I am excited.”
McFarland said, “This is what I have been going for. It is almost a relief. I am proud. It was definitely unexpected. It is one of those things you try not to think about.”
That was the same approach Peoples used on her record attempt, the final throw of the day.
“I did not think about anything,” she said.
Shaffer said Peoples has the ability to shatter all kinds of records.
“She is starting to get consistent,” Shaffer said. “We are seeing big throws. We need to get her more aggressive at the board.”
Shaffer said McFarland improved her technique and worked on it between throws.
“It was not one fluky throw,” the coach said. “She had a good solid day. She was quicker [in the ring]. It was good stuff.”
He echoed the same sentiments about the boys. Turner nearly did not make the finals in the discus.
“I have not seen anybody go from 104 to 140 ... that is quite a change,” Shaffer said. “We were very fortunate to get that chance.”
Blecha put everything together.
“He is feeling it,” Shaffer said of the senior. “Sam has worked really hard. His technique has been solid all year. He is getting better every week.”
Ottawa will compete next Friday in the 4A regional at Ottawa University.
Ottawa results:
Girls (seventh, 30 points)
800 — 5, Jena Richardson, 2:31.
Discus — 1, Kara McFarland, 141-1 (meet, school record); 6, Kearston Peoples, 98-7.
Shot put — 1, Peoples, 47-3.75 (meet, school record).
Javelin — 4, Jamie Allen, 109-10.
Boys (fifth, 47 points)
400 — 6, Blaine Stewart, 53.27; 7, Brendan White, 54.05.
800 — 2, Eric Messenger, 2:01.79.
3,200 relay — 6, Ottawa, 9:10.
1,600 relay — 5, Ottawa, 3:33.55.
Shot put — 1, Sam Blecha, 55-7.5 (fourth all-time in school history); 2, Brandon Turner, 50-11.
Discus — 4, Turner, 140-0; 5, Blecha, 131-10.
Javelin — 4, Ben Harris, 147-0; 6, Ryan Bellinger, 144-10.
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