NEWS CHRONICLE PHOTOS BY STEVE BRANT – STC senior Madeline Paxton runs down the stretch in her leg of a relay race at the Trojan Relays.

After their first home meet of the year was canceled on April 7, the STC boys and girls track teams made their lone appearance at home on Tuesday, April 28 for the Trojan Relays.

Both teams had several standout performances on their way to each finishing in second place as a team.

The girls were led by senior Autumn Elbsury and sophomore Scout Ridout, who both nabbed two individual championships for STC. Elsbury won both the shot put (32’06.50″) and the discus (114′). Ridout captured the title in the 100 (13.11 seconds) and the 100 hurdles (15.48).

The Trojans also had top-five finishes from sophomore Maylee Rucker in the 200 (third, 29.75); Ridout in the long jump (16’2″); junior Olivia Hala in the long jump (third, 14’11.50″); and junior Desiray Popelka in the high jump (fifth, 4’2″).

In addition, every relay team for the STC girls finished in the top five of their event. The 4×100 team of Rucker, Ridout, and fellow sophomores Sydney Arp and Brylee Nelson finished in first place with a time of 51.49. Joining them at the top was the 4×200 team of Rucker, Arp, Nelson, and sophomore Cahysia Kapayou (1:53.28). The Trojans also earned two third place finishes (4×800, Shuttle Hurdle Relay) and three 4th place finishes (4×400, Sprint Medley, Distance Medley).

STC junior Josiah Houghton takes the baton from sophomore Ryan Brant in the Sprint Medley relay.

The STC girls finished in second place as a team with 109 points. They trailed only Waterloo West, who won the meet with one more point — 110. STC was followed by Hudson (101), North Mahaska (91), and Montezuma (53).

The Trojan boys were led by senior Timmothy Chandonia, who, like Elsbury, won both the shot put (52’1″) and the discus (150′). Individually, the boys also picked up titles from senior Carver Cecak (800, 2:10.37), senior Barrett Jesina (1600, 4:40.40), senior Cadel Conner (3200, 11:09.98), and junior Josiah Houghton (400 hurdles, 58.91).

Individual top-five performances for STC also included: sophomore Brady Jesina (second, 800, 2:11.43); Barrett Jesina (second, 3200, 11:10.00); Houghton (third, 400, 54.24); sophomore Alfredo Villa (third, 100, 11.89); senior Wes Hanus (fourth, 110 hurdles, 17.69); and sophomore Tucker Chandonia (fifth, 200, 23.93).

The Trojans also secured two championships in relay events. The team of Tucker Chandonia, senior Nick Upah, sophomore Ryan Brant, and Conner won the Distance Medley with a time of 3:41.21. And the 4×400 team of Hanus, freshman Jet Chyma, Houghton, and Brant won the final event of the night with a time of 3:38.63.

The STC boys finished in second place as a team with 146 points. Hudson won the meet with 160 points. STC was followed by BGM (106), AGWSR (47), and Saydel (36).

STC seniors Barrett Jesina (left) and Cadel Conner (right) run side-by-side in the 3200.

After both the boys and girls competed at the annual WaMaC conference meet on Thursday, May 7, the teams will now turn their attention to the state-qualifying meet. That will take place on Thursday, May 14, at Mount Vernon high school.

STC sophomore Tucker Chandonia sprints out of the blocks on the first leg of the Distance Medley relay.

STC sophomore Sydney Arp finishes her leg of the 4x200 relay.

STC sophomore Maylee Rucker leans in for the win in the 4x200 relay. In the race, STC beat Montezuma by one hundredth of a second.