Crestwood track teams excel at NEIC Meet

DECORAH - The Crestwood girls’ and boys’ track teams both chalked up several solid performances during the NEIC Indoor Meet held at Luther College on March 21. This was the final indoor meet before the outdoor season begins this week. No team scores were recorded.

In the girls’ meet, junior Kinze Shea nabbed gold in the 3000 meters in 11:19.54 and took first in the 1500 meters in 5:20.00. Freshman Charley Curtis won gold in the 200 meter dash in 27.96. Crestwood’s distance medley relay team snagged gold in 4:39.04.

“Once again, we competed very well,” Cadet Girls’ Coach Karen Steffen said. “I was super proud of all the girls and their effort. It was a great opportunity to give the girls experience in their events and gain confidence in their abilities.

“We had a few standouts. Tara Koshatka took third in 55 meter hurdles. She is showing improvement every day. She finished ahead of some very strong competitors.

“Our Distance Medley Relay was pretty smooth on their baton exchanges. Each girl ran a great split. Olivia Ollendick ran a very competitive 800 meters to anchor them to victory.

“Charley Curtis has  great natural speed for a freshman! She finished first ahead of many fast runners.

“Kinze Shea is in great shape right now and running very efficiently in her races. She had some good competition to push her in the 1500. Keeping her healthy and fresh will be a key factor as we move through the season,” Steffen said.

In the boys’ meet, Maurice Powell won gold in the 55 meter dash in 6.88 and the 200 meter dash in 23.98. Ayden Easley took gold in the 400 meter dash in 54.87. Crestwood’s 4x200 meter relay team of Nolan Johnson, Dashel Donlan, Robby Ollendieck and Powell took second in 1:40.05.