Braves Track & Field Leaves Their Mark: Record-Breaking Season Culminates in State Championships, State Placings
Braves Track & Field Leaves Their Mark: Record-Breaking Season Culminates in State Championships, State Placings
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Ethan Burton - State Champion 100m, 200m
Lily Zeigler - 2nd High Jump
Evan Carr - 4th Triple Jump
Ahmed Mansaray - 5th 100m
The Council Grove Track & Field program would like to thank the community for its unwavering support this season.
While the state meet had a lot of ups and downs for the Braves, this group left its mark as one of the best ever. The two-day event included everything from a disqualification in the 4x100m prelims to multiple individual state championships, with Ethan Burton winning the 100m and 200m. The boys' team achieved the most points scored by a boys' or girls' team at a state meet in school history (28). They tied for 8th place, marking the second-best finish by a boys' or girls' team in school history (The 1996 boys' team tied for 7th place).
State Championships: 2
Ethan Burton - 100m, 200m
Ethan Burton claimed the 100m (10.76) and 200m (22.18) gold medals. Burton closed a remarkable sprint career, becoming only the second Brave in school history to win multiple state titles. (Gordon Knox won the Long Jump twice in 1942 and 1943). Ethan is the first men's sprinter to win the 100m and 200m state championships in school history. He will continue his track career next season at Missouri Western.
State Placings: 5
Ethan Burton - 1st place in 100m, 1st place in 200m
Lily Zeigler - 2nd place in High Jump
Evan Carr - 4th place in Triple Jump
Ahmed Mansaray - 5th place in 100m
Lily Zeigler had a thrilling showdown with a competitor from Cherryvale in the girls' high jump. In the end, Zeigler finished 2nd, tying her career-best height of 5'4". This was the second-best finish ever by a Lady Brave in high jump. Evan Carr finished 4th in the triple jump with a distance of 43'3.5". Carr made significant progress this season, achieving a personal record by over 3 feet and earning the second-highest finish by a Braves triple jumper at state. Carr, a junior, will return for the Braves next year. Ahmed Mansaray placed 5th in the boys' 100m with a time of 11.21. Mansaray's 5th place finish was the 4th highest finish ever in the boys' 100m.
Loup Charlier - 10th 300m Hurdles
Kahle Jones - T-11th High Jump
Kodi Downes - 14th Pole Vault
Jace Goodman - 4x100m
Blaise French - 4x100m Alternate
Levi Waring - 4x100m Alternate
Loup Charlier was barely edged out for a spot in the 300m hurdle finals as he placed 10th. Charlier's season-best time of 41.7 ranks 4th all-time at CGHS. Kahle Jones tied for 11th in the High Jump. Jones did not achieve his season-best, but he had marks this season that made him one of the best high jumpers to come through CGHS. Kodi Downes also finished 14th in the pole vault. Downes' jump of 11'6" was not his season-best, but he has another chance next season to potentially break the school record of 12'7.5" (his career-best is 12'6"). The Braves' 4x100m qualified for state and featured Jace Goodman, Loup Charlier, Ahmed Mansaray, Ethan Burton, Levi Waring, and Blaise French. The team came in with the #1 time in the state but was disqualified in prelims as the first handoff occurred outside of the exchange zone.
One of the Best Seasons in School History
One of the Best Seasons in School History
This season, the boys' team earned 8th at state, was the Regional Runners-Up at Buhler, became Flint Hills League Champions, and won meets at Valley Heights, Council Grove, Silver Lake, and Royal Valley. They also finished 7th at Shocker Pre-State out of 70 teams across all classes. The boys' team had arguably the best team of sprinters in school history, breaking every major sprint record except the 4x400m (they were 2 seconds off the record in this event).
The girls' team also had a fantastic showing this season. They finished 6th at Shocker Pre-State out of all teams in classes 1A-3A. In addition to this, they won the Council Grove Invitational, finished 2nd at Royal Valley and Silver Lake, and placed 3rd at Valley Heights and the League Invitational. The girls' team took a balanced approach to scoring points this season. Between the sprint group, jumps, and Jordyn Picolet in distance, the team was able to consistently place high. The future is bright for both squads as the boys were champions at the freshman/sophomore meet, and the girls were 2nd.
Season Records Broken: 7
Jace Goodman, Loup Charlier, Ahmed Mansaray, Ethan Burton (Alts. Levi Waring, Blaise French) - Boys' 4x100m
Ethan Burton - Boys' 100m
Ethan Burton - Boys' 200m
Ethan Burton - Boys' 400m
Kodi Downes - Boys' 2000m Steeplechase
Jordyn Picolet - Girls' 2000m Steeplechase
Jordyn Picolet - Girls' 3200m
The Braves' 4x100m team shattered the school record and ran a time of 42.79 at the Buhler Regional Meet. The team was known for their come-from-behind finishes. Ethan Burton and Ahmed Mansaray both had notable anchor leg performances at the Regional and League Meets. Goodman, Mansaray, and Burton were part of the school-record-breaking team from last season. Together with Charlier, they achieved a record time in the 4x100m relay that will likely stand for a long time at CGHS. At the league meet, the team also broke the Flint Hills League (FHL) record in the 4x100m relay. The team members that day were Jace Goodman, Levi Waring, Blaise French, and Ahmed Mansaray.
Ethan Burton became the record holder in three CG sprint events, the triple crown, including the 100m, 200m, and 400m. His best times were 10.71 seconds in the 100m at Council Grove, 21.75 seconds in the 200m at Council Grove, and 50.54 seconds in the 400m at Silver Lake. Kodi Downes and Jordyn Picolet had impressive seasons in the distance events. Downes set a record in the Braves' 2000m Steeplechase with a time of 6:43.36. Picolet set records in the Lady Braves' 3200m (12:00.82) and 2000m Steeplechase (8:23.27). Picolet shattered the girls' 3200m record by nearly 16 seconds. She initially broke the record at Royal Valley and then again at Regionals in the final race of her remarkable career. Picolet will continue her track career next season at Hutchinson Community College.
Athletes Who Rank in the Top 5:
The following athletes rank in the top 10 of their respective individual events or relays in school history following the 2023 season. Each athlete can only make the list once per season.
Ethan Burton (4x100m, 4x400m, 100m, 200m, 400m), Evan Carr (Triple Jump), Loup Charlier (4x100m, 4x400m, 300m Hurdles), Kodi Downes (4x400m, 3200m, Pole Vault), Blaise French (4x100m), Jace Goodman (4x100m), Kahle Jones (High Jump), Ahmed Mansaray (4x100m, 4x400m, 100m, 200m), Kierni Mullen (Long Jump), Jordyn Picolet (1600m, 2000m Steeplechase, 3200m), Kayden Schmidt (4x400m), Levi Waring (4x100m, 4x400m), Lily Zeigler (High Jump)
Regional Champions:
Ethan Burton (4x100m, 100m, 200m), Evan Carr (Triple Jump), Loup Charlier (4x100m), Jace Goodman (4x100m), Kahle Jones (High Jump), Ahmed Mansaray (4x100m), and Lily Zeigler (High Jump).
Regional Placers:
Loup Charlier (2nd 300m Hurdles, 5th 4x400m), Kodi Downes (3rd Pole Vault, 5th 4x400m), Ahmed Mansaray (3rd 100m, 5th 200m), Lily Zeigler (5th 4x100m), Macy Bolen (5th 4x100m), Ethan Burton (5th - 4x400m), Kierni Mullen (5th 4x100m), Kiele Tyner (5th 4x100m, 6th 200m), Levi Waring (5th 4x400m), Jordyn Picolet (6th 1600m, 6th 3200m)
League Champions:
Macy Bolen (4x100m, 100m), Ethan Burton (100m), Evan Carr (Triple Jump), Loup Charlier (300m Hurdles), Kodi Downes (1600m), Blaise French (4x100m), Kahle Jones (High Jump), Ahmed Mansaray (4x100m, 200m), Kierni Mullen (4x100m, Long Jump), Kiele Tyner (4x100m), Levi Waring (4x100m), Lily Zeigler (4x100m, High Jump)
League Placers:
Breckyn McEuen (2nd Long Jump, 5th 4x800m), Lilliana Blackledge (2nd Triple Jump, 5th 400m, 6th 4x400m, 6th High Jump), Loup Charlier (2nd 4x400m, 3rd 110m Hurdles, 3rd Long Jump), Kodi Downes (2nd Pole Vault, 3rd 3200m), Kahle Jones (2nd 110m Hurdles, 3rd 300m Hurdles), Ahmed Mansaray (2nd 4x400m, 2nd 100m), Jordyn Picolet (2nd 3200m, 3rd 1600m), Kayden Schmidt (2nd 4x400m, 6th 400m), Levi Waring (2nd 4x400m, 4th 400m), Macy Bolen (3rd High Jump, 4th 200m), Jace Goodman (3rd 200m, 5th 100m), Kiele Tyner (3rd 200m, 4th 100m), Lily Zeigler (3rd 100m Hurdles), Keegan Brown (4th Long Jump, 4th Triple Jump), Caleb Schroeder (4th 110m Hurdles, 6th 300m Hurdles), Holden Ziegler (4th Javelin, 5th Shot Put), Kennedy Berner (5th 4x800m, 6th 4x400m), Camryn Frazier (5th 100m Hurdles), Colton Lesslie (5th Discus), Kierni Mullen (5th Triple Jump), Alysia Werner (5th 4x800m, 6th 4x400m), Hollyn Zeigler (5th 4x800m, 6th 4x400m, 6th 300m Hurdles), Cullum Askins (6th Triple Jump), Landon Dody (6th Javelin), Blaise French (6th Pole Vault), Gunner Gleason (6th Discus, 6th Shot Put), Aiden McCall (6th High Jump)
Top Season Point Scorers Boys:
Ethan Burton - 163.5
Kodi Downes - 141
Ahmed Mansaray - 133.5
Kahle Jones - 116
Loup Charlier - 101
Top Season Point Scorers Girls:
Jordyn Picolet - 138
Lily Zeigler - 108
Macy Bolen - 95.5
Kiele Tyner - 80
Lilliana Blackledge - 69
Team Awards:
(MVA - Most Valuable Athlete, MIA - Most Improved Athlete, NOTY - Newcomer of the Year)
John Goff Nominee Boys: Jace Goodman
John Goff Nominee Girls: Jordyn Picolet
Team MVA Boys: Ethan Burton
Team MVA Girls: Jordyn Picolet
Team MIA Boys: Levi Waring
Team MIA Girls: Hollyn Zeigler
Team NOTY Boys: Loup Charlier
Team NOTY Girls: Lilliana Blackledge
Sprints MVA Boys: Ethan Burton
Sprints MVA Girls: Kiele Tyner
Sprints MIA Boys: Levi Waring
Sprints MIA Girls: Macy Bolen
Distance MVA Boys: Kodi Downes
Distance MVA Girls: Jordyn Picolet
Distance MIA Boys: Gavin Mills
Distance MIA Girls: Hollyn Zeigler
Hurdles MVA Boys: Loup Charlier
Hurdles MVA Girls: Lily Zeigler
Hurdles MIA Boys: Caleb Schroeder
Hurdles MIA Girls: Hollyn Zeigler
Vertical Jumps MVA Boys: Kahle Jones
Vertical Jumps MVA Girls: Lily Zeigler
Vertical Jumps MIA Boys: Blaise French
Vertical Jumps MIA Girls: Lily Zeigler
Horizontal Jumps MVA Boys: Evan Carr
Horizontal Jumps MVA Girls: Kierni Mullen
Horizontal Jumps MIA Boys: Levi Waring
Horizontal Jumps MIA Girls: Emily Bacon
Throws MVA Boys: Holden Ziegler
Throws MVA Girls: Cahaya Dody
Throws MIA Boys: Gunner Gleason
Throws MIA Girls: Brenah Cannon
Boys' Letterwinners:
Cullum Askins, Keegan Brown, Ethan Burton, Evan Carr, Loup Charlier, Landon Dody, Kodi Downes, Brad Eldridge, Blaise French, Gunner Gleason, Jace Goodman, Kahle Jones, Colton Lesslie, Ahmed Mansaray, Valentin Mascote, Aiden McCall, Gavin Mills, Kayden Schmidt, Caleb Schroeder, Levi Waring, and Holden Ziegler.
Girls' Letterwinners:
Kennedy Berner, Lilliana Blackledge, Macy Bolen, Brenah Cannon, Cahaya Dody, Camryn Frazier, Breckyn McEuen, Kierni Mullen, Jordyn Picolet, Kiele Tyner, Tessa Weinlich, Alysia Werner, Hollyn Zeigler, and Lily Zeigler.
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