Columbus boys, Van Buren girls win early birds

COLUMBUS JUNCTION — The Columbus Wildcats boys track and field team made the most of their home-track advantage on Monday night as they dominated the ‘Early Bird’ track meet to kick off the 2022 outdoor season.

The Columbus boys won a ridiculous 10 events to coast to a championship against four other Southeast Iowa Super Conference schools. On the girls’ side, it was Van Buren County defeating seven other teams for first place.

Kaden Amigon was a three-time individual winner for Columbus. He won the 100-meter dash, the 200-meter dash and the long jump to lead the way. Isaac Acosta was a double-winner, taking the 400-meter dash and the 1600-meter run, and Freddy Vergara won twice as well, taking the 800 and the 3200.

Columbus’ Dante Zuniga won the 110-meter hurdles, crossing the tape in 19.69 seconds. The Wildcats’ 4X100 team and distance medley teams also took first.

Winfield-Mount Union took silver on the boys’ side, winning five events. Along with Gabriel Hemsworth’s victory in the 400-meter hurdles, the Wolves won the 4X200, the 4X400, the 4X800 and the shuttle hurdle.

Highland took third place on the boys’ side. Devin Lovetinsky won the discus and shot put throws, and Brenton Bonebrake took the high jump. Hillcrest Academy finished fifth.

Van Buren County won six events on the girls’ side to run away with the competition. The Warriors had four individual winners and took two relays.

Kadence Nusbaum finished on top in the 200-meter dash. Faith Neely won the 800-meter run, and Payten Polling took the 1500-meter dash.

The lone field winner for the Warriors went to Libby Bainbridge, who finished first in the high jump.

The Van Buren girls’ 4X400 team finished in first place, as did the Warriors’ distance medley squad.

Highland finished third in the girls’ standings. Sarah Burton won the 100-meter dash. The Huskies’ 4X100 team finished first, and the 4X800 squad followed suit.

The Columbus girls and WMU girls tied for fourth. Columbus was led by a 3000-meter win by Averi Sipes and a 400-meter hurdles victory for Lily Coil. WMU’s Keetyn Towsnley won the 100-meter hurdles. Jobey Malone won the shot put, and the shuttle hurdle team was victorious as well.

Hillcrest finished sixth on the girls’ side, but had no winners. New London took eighth.

BOYS STANDINGS

1. Columbus 224

2. Winfield-Mount Union 127

3. Highland 108

4. Central Lee 78

5. Hillcrest Academy 1

GIRLS STANDINGS

1. Van Buren County 121

2. English Valleys 100

3. Highland 76.5

T-4. Columbus 72

T-4. Winfield-Mount Union 72

6. Hillcrest Academy 34

7. Central Lee 29.5

8. New London 22