Julian, Allen break New London records

COLUMBUS JUNCTION - High school athletes were running, jumping and throwing in competition for the first time in almost two years Monday at Columbus Junction.

There was some stored up energy released by a pair of New London Tigers as two school records were broken.

It was the first day that competition was allowed for track and field in 2021. The coronavirus pandemic had closed schools, thus spring sports were canceled in 2020.

Columbus took advantage of it the first day of competition by hosting the Early Bird meet while Carter Allen and Ander Julian took the opportunity to set new standards in Tigers history.

Julian eclipsed a 49-year-old record set by Terry White in the 3200 meters. Julian won the race in 10 minutes, 8.02 seconds while White's time from 1972 was 10:09.90.

Allen broke the discus school record of Riley Grogan, who had tossed it 147 feet, 5 inches in 2016. Monday, Carter unleashed a toss of 148-6.

There were 11 girls teams split into two classes and six boys teams in a single class.

New London won the boys team title by 11 points over the host Wildcats. The Tigers claimed wins in 10 events with Carter Allen also winning the shot put.

Hillcrest Academy's Aaron Herschberger cleared the obstacles in his way to win two events -- the 110 high hurdles and the 400 hurdles.

Tipton won the large school girls title with 194 points and North Cedar won the small school girls title with 194 points.

The Wildcats Libby White was first in the discus.

The Union area's highest finisher in an event is listed below.

TEAM SCORES

GIRLS A - 1) Tipton 194; 2) CR Prairie JV 166; 3) Central Lee 108; 4) Durant 80; 5) Van Buren County 77

GIRLS B - 1) North Cedar; 2) Highland 125; 3) English Valleys 88; 4) New London 69; 5) Columbus 61; 6) Hillcrest Academy 17

Shot put - 2, Diaz, Columbus, 30-04.0. Discus - 1. White, Columbus, 88-7. Long jump - 1. Burton, Highland, 16-1.5. High jump - 1. Jirak, Van Buren, 5-0

100 - 1. McFarland, Highland, 13.83. 200 - 1. Nusbaum, Van Buren, 29.93. 400 - 2. Reighard, New London, 1:14.34. 800 - 1. Neeley, Van Buren, 2:43.21. 1,500 - 2. Sipes, Columbus, 6:43.30. 3,000 - 2. Lajznerova, New London, 16:43.50. 100 hurdles - 3. Jirak, Van Buren 19.15. 400 hurdles - 4. Jirak, Van Buren, 1:26.16

4x100 - 3. Van Buren, 57.00. 4x200 - 2. Highland 2:16.77. 4x400 - 2. New London 4:49.51. 4x800 - 2. Van Buren 11:45.21. Sprint medley relay - 1. New London (Christensen, Jones, Reighard, Wilka) 2:08.90. Distance medley relay - 4. Van Buren 5:01.69. Shuttle hurdle relay - 2. Highland 1:28.83

BOYS - 1) New London 145; 2) Columbus 134; 3) English Valleys 94; 4) Central Lee 89.5; 5) Highland 74.5; 6) Hillcrest Academy 22

Shot put - 1. Allen, New London, 50-0. Discus - 1. Allen, New London, 148-6. Long jump - 2. Amigon, Columbus, 18-11.5. High jump - 1. (tie) Bonebrake, Highland and Benjamin, New London, 5-8.

100 - 2. Amigon, Columbus, 11.91. 200 - 2. Grinstead, Highland, 23.98. 800 - 1. Martin, New London, 2:17.85. 1,600 - 1. Bailey, New London, 4:58.40. 3,200 - 1. Julian, New London, 10:08.02. 100 hurdles - 1. Hershberger, Hillcrest, 17.47. 400 hurdles - 1. Hershberger, Hillcrest, 1:02.17.

4x100 - 1. Highland (Schneider, Krotz, Hoppman, Thompson) 47.73. 4x200 - 1. New London (Kasel, Pickle, Riley, Catala) 1:39.24. 4x400 - 1. New London

(Martin, Bonnesen, Bailey, Benjamin) 3:49.98. 4x800 - 1. New London (Julian, Bailey, Garrett, Martin) 9:21.63. Sprint medley relay - 2. Columbus 1:57.67. Distance medley relay - 1. New London (Kasel, Catala, Martin, Bailey) 4:07.51. Shuttle hurdle relay - 2. New London 1:24.97.