Conference track title stays in Packwood

WINFIELD ? Bad weather could only prolong the inevitable as the Pekin girls? track team returned to Winfield Monday to be crowned Southeast Iowa Superconference champs.

The Panthers secured the north division title Monday after the meet was postponed with four events remaining Thursday. With a final total of 141 points, the Panthers finished well ahead of second-place Mediapolis? 116. Columbus Junction finished in third out of 10 teams with 105 points.

?I was very pleased with the intensity of their performance,? said Pekin head coach Sarah Wright. ?The girls ran several season best performances, and this will help us run with confidence at the district meet.?

The Panthers were led by wins from Celsey Conger in the open-800 (2:28.65) and Brandy Millikin in the shot put (34? 6.5?). Members of the 4x800 and distance medley relays also were first team all-conference performers. Celsey Conger, Samantha Wright, Maleaha Earnest and Whitney Horras won the 4x800 in 10:20, and Wright, Celsey Conger, Mallory Reed and Jessica Horras were first in the distance medley at 4:27.85.

Brenna Conger finished second in the 1,500 run with a time of 5:19, and Maranda Baker finished second only behind Millikin in the shot put with a toss of 33-feet, 7.25-inches. The shuttle hurdle (1:14.76), 4x100 (54.38) and 4x400 (4:13) also took third place for Pekin.

Pekin?s Bridget Fritchen was third in the discus with a throw of 95-feet, 4-inches, while Reed finished third in the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 16.83 seconds.

The Panthers continue their season Thursday at the regional meet hosted by WACO.

Final Team Standings

SEISC meet @ Winfield-Mount Union

1. Pekin 141, 2. Mediapolis 116, 3. Columbus Junction 105, 4. Highland 81, 5. Winfield-Mount Union 74, 6. Wapello 72, 7. Louisa-Muscatine 60, 8. WACO 50, 9. Lone Tree 36.5, 10. IMS 4