New Franklin senior Courtney Wilmsmeyer and Prairie Home sophomore Sydney Sells did what they had to do over the weekend at the Class 1 Sectional Track Meet to qualify for the state track meet, which will be held on Friday and Saturday, May 16-17 in Jefferson City.

Although the two competed in different sectionals, Wilmsmeyer captured first in the 100-meter hurdles in a time of 16.6 seconds while finishing fourth in the 300-meter intermediate hurdles in 50.4 seconds. As for Sells, she took fourth in the 300 hurdles in a time of 53.14 seconds and then finished seventh in the 100 hurdles in 18.84 seconds at sectionals at South Callaway.

Only the top four finishers in each event qualified for the state track meet.

New Franklin girls track coach Benji Dorson said Wilmsmeyer ran a great race in the 100 hurdles and beat out a field that included four of the top six hurdlers in the state. “Weather conditions were not optimal as it was cold and she had a fairly strong headwind in her face,” Dorson said. “Courtney Also ran a very good 300 hurdle race and qualified, but once again the field was very tough. Sam Kircher had a tough day, but did very well for a freshman competing in all three jumping events. She gained valuable experience that she can carry over to next year. She had a great year, and should be proud. Valerie Dobson had possibly one of the freakiest accidents I have ever seen in a track meet. After a 1 hour and 30 minute rain delay, the meet continued. Valerie was competing in the 3200-meter run. She slipped on a puddle of water and fell very hard on her head and hip. At the time she was in an easy position to qualify for state. The fall allowed the runners to catch up and pass her, but Valerie got up gained her composure and finished the race. She is to be commended for her efforts. Our 4 x 400-meter relay team was unable to compete due to the rain delay and a conflict with prom. It was a tough day, but I am very proud of the team and have enjoyed being around them all season.”

As for Prairie Home track coach Kristin Milligan, she said Sells has worked so hard this year and still has two years to improve.

New Franklin freshman Sam Kircher competed in three events during the Class 1 Sectional 3 Track Meet at Marshall on Saturday and finished fifth in both the high jump and triple jump with jumps of 4’-6” and 30’-4 1/2”, respectively. She also took seventh in the long jump with a leap of 14’-0”.

Bobbi Breshears, meanwhile, finished sixth in the high jump with a jump of 4’-2”, while Valerie Dobson placed seventh in the 3200-meter run in a time of 14:42.

In the final-team standings for the girls, Meadville captured first with 85 points. Slater finished second with 68 points, followed by Norborne with 63, Southwest with 49, Wellington-Napoleon with 45, Glasgow with 41.50, Santa Fe with 38, Princeton with 36, Linn County with 34, Braymer with 31.50, New Franklin 11th with 30, Bosworth with 24, Newtown-Harris with 21, Sweet Springs with 19, Smithton with 14, Northwestern with 13, Concordia with 12, Hardin-Central with 11, Tri-County with 10, Mercer and Brunswick each with 9, Tina-Avalon with 8, Green City with 7, Pilot Grove with 5, Bunceton with 4 and Otterville with 3.

For the boys, Princeton ran away with the team title with 103 points.

Wellington-Napoleon finished second with 67 points, followed by Glasgow with 56, Newtown-Harris with 53, Northwestern with 46, Wentworth Military and Santa Fe each with 43, Southwest with 41, Braymer and Slater each with 37, Hardin-Central with 35, Stet with 23, Smithton with 17, Concordia with 16, Tri-County with 15, Bunceton with 14, Tina-Avalon with 13, Meadville with 12, Nordyne with 6, Mercer, Sweet Springs and Malta Bend each with 5 and Otterville with 1.