Athletes of the Week for the week ending March 20th
Boys’ MS Track Athlete of the Week
Jordon Gonzalez of Newburg
Gonzales, who shined bright in the 13-14 age group at the Louisville Track Club ES/MS Age Group Invitational, took home titles in the 100 and 400 meters in dominating fashion. His 100 meter performance of 12.19 was more than a full second ahead of St. Nicholas’ Ryan Smith, while his 400-meter performance was even more dominating as he smoked a 56.95. This follows his 400 meter win at the Mason-Dixon Games, where he posted a time of 55.41 for the win.
Boys’ MS Field Athlete of the Week
Hayden Vinegar of Newburg
Gonzales teammate was just as dominating in the shot put, launching a 40-10.50 performance to win over St. Nicholas’ Ryan Smith who posted a 34-06 performance of his own. This throw improves upon the 37-footer that Vinegar uncorked at the Mason-Dixon Games. Vinegar also competed in the 100m, 200m, and the long jump, where he placed 7th overall with his leap of 12-6.
Girls’ MS Track Athlete of the Week
Meghan Carrico of Holy Spirit
The 7th-grader took the mile title at the Louisville Track ES/MS Age Group Invitational, running 5:49.37 to edge out teammate Megan Beuchler (5:53.76). Carrico, who has run for Our Lady of Lourdes in the past, had a very strong fall in cross-country and this is a great performance for her to kick off the outdoor season.
Girls’ MS Field Athlete of the Week
Abby Durbin of St. Raphael
Durbin, who also placed 4th in the 100 meters with a 14.84 performance, took the long jump title at the Louisville Track ES/MS Age Group Invitational this weekend in a close competition with Sydney Willett of North Oldham. It was a personal best for the young athlete by 8.5 inches.
Boys’ HS Track Athlete of the Week
Demytrius Gipson of Jeffersontown
The sprint standout took the 300 meter title at the Lincoln Relays last weekend, running 36.52 for the abnormal distance. It was an impressive time ahead of CAL’s Caleb Love and Andrew Wilder, both of whom have shown strong sprint ability of their own. Gipson, who recently signed to run for Campbellsville, was 10th last year in the Class AA 100 meter dash, but his specialty is more focused towards the 400 meters where he currently has a PR of 50.69.
Boys’ HS Field Athlete of the Week
Cody Stockwell of Meade County
Stockwell claimed both the shot put and discus titles at the Lincoln Relays in Larue County this weekend. His 41-03 put in the shot was a strong showing, but it was his 136-07 in the discus that landed him here. Stockwell, who was 6th in the discus at last year’s state championships, is one to watch in that event this year and if this early performance is any indicator of what is to come, then Stockwell looks to be in for another great year.
Girls’ HS Track Athlete of the Week
Marley Stanfield of Meade County
Stanfield has been an incredible long sprinter for the Meade County program for a few years now, and she only continued that this weekend at the Lincoln Relays. The junior, whose 400 meter PR is 58.25, raced in the 300 meters and claimed an impressive victory with her time of 43.68. To be sure, she was also a contributor on the vaunted Meade County 1600 meter relay squad, which also claimed victory running a time of 4:30.79, and she will continue to help make them a dangerous team in that race in Class AAA.
Girls’ HS Field Athlete of the Week
Jen Helmer of St. Henry
Helmer has an impressive talent, as she scored in both the shot put and the high jump at last year’s state championships for Class A. It was her shot put performance that has her in this spot for the weekend, though, as she reached a new PR of 33-08 to take down Beechwood standout Brianna McCarthy (33-05) at the Boone Opening Night Relays. McCarthy would go on to dominate the discus, throwing 104-09 to win the event handily, but Helmer’s PR and upset was something to note as she continues to improve going forward.
Athletes of the Week for the week ending March 20th