Northwest Kansas Athletes Shine at Colby Invitational

by Derek White

The Colby Invitational Track and Field Meet brought together a fierce slate of competitors from northwest Kansas, showcasing the region’s young talent in a day full of personal bests, thrilling finishes, and team pride. With schools from Phillipsburg to Ulysses and Wallace County to Brewster, the meet painted a full picture of the area’s athletic depth on May 9.

Norton Community High School emerged as a consistent powerhouse throughout the meet. The Bluejays dominated the distance races and relays, including wins in the 800m, 1600m, and the 4x800m relay. Kaison Miller and Emma Collins led a strong girls’ distance squad, while Ayston Kats took the boys’ mile and contributed in the 800m. Norton’s relay teams were sharp and well-rounded, claiming top-three finishes in both boys’ and girls’ events.

Colby High School, the host, had standout performances across the board. Freshman Bailey McCorkle captured the girls’ long jump title with a mark of 16'5½" and added points in the 100 meters. Senior Allison Zimmerman was a key figure in the field, placing second in the javelin. Colby’s relay teams also held their own with a third-place finish in the 4x400m and a fourth in the 4x100m.

Hoxie High School athletes had a big day, with Camryn Gourley (100m hurdles), Madison Meier (400m), and multiple relay teams placing high. The Indians showed excellent versatility across sprints, mid-distance, and field events, demonstrating depth throughout their roster.

Goodland High School saw impressive performances from Chayton Goodwin, who was second in both the 100m and 200m sprints, and Libby Cure, who scored in the hurdles and field events. Their 4x100m relay also placed fifth, highlighting strong team cohesion.

Phillipsburg continued their tradition of strength in throws and jumps. Callie Leidig won the girls’ shot put with a throw of 38'10", and Karissa Keeten claimed first in the javelin at 127'0". Their athletes were frequently found among the top jumpers and sprinters.

Golden Plains may be small in size, but their athletes made big noise—most notably Brenlynn Rath, who won the girls’ triple jump and placed fourth in the long jump. Dylan Wark added key points for the boys with a runner-up finish in the 800m and 1600m.

Other schools like Ulysses, Wallace County, Oakley, St. Francis, and Rawlins County had multiple scorers and emerging talent, particularly in the relays and mid-distance events. Ness City showed strength in sprints and hurdles, including meet victories in the 100m dash and the girls' 4x100m and 4x400m relays.

Top 3 Finishers by Event

Girls 100m Dash

1. Taegin Liggett, Ness City – 12.29

2. Aja Ysac, Ulysses – 12.37

3. Sienna Brenner, Ness City – 12.69

Girls 200m Dash

1. Sienna Brenner, Ness City – 26.29

2. Aja Ysac, Ulysses – 26.57

3. Madison Meier, Hoxie – 27.24

Girls 400m Dash

1. Madyson Schreibvogel, Holcomb – 58.72

2. Madison Meier, Hoxie – 1:04.12

3. Ana Schemper, Phillipsburg – 1:04.91

Girls 800m Run

1. Kaison Miller, Norton – 2:32.51

2. Savana Rumback, Norton – 2:34.26

3. Cora DeGood, Colby – 2:34.33

Girls 1600m Run

1. Emma Collins, Norton – 5:34.27

2. Elizabeth Weiner, Golden Plains – 5:38.03

3. Stephany Esparza, Ness City – 5:38.76

Girls 3200m Run

1. Elizabeth Weiner, Golden Plains – 12:25.79

2. Taegan Lindenman, Hoxie – 12:53.10

3. Kaison Miller, Norton – 13:00.56

Girls 100m Hurdles

1. Camryn Gourley, Hoxie – 16.44

2. Issy Fuchs, Ness City – 16.65

3. Paycie Juenemann, Rawlins Co. – 17.06

Girls 300m Hurdles

1. Taegin Liggett, Ness City – 45.49

2. Avery Jensen, St. Francis – 49.13

3. Alisabeth Barton, Colby – 49.88

Girls 4x100m Relay

1. Ness City – 50.50

2. Norton – 51.59

3. Hoxie – 51.82

Girls 4x400m Relay

1. Ness City – 4:13.83

2. Norton – 4:21.02

3. Colby – 4:23.05

Girls 4x800m Relay

1. Norton – 10:16.03

2. Hoxie – 10:46.83

3. Ness City – 10:50.94

Girls High Jump

1. Natalie Wederski, Colby – 5'2"

2. Eden Britton, St. Francis – 5'2"

3. Brittany Swartz, Colby – 5'0"

Girls Pole Vault

1. Kallie Richardson, Wallace County – 10'0"

2. Sabryn Copeland, Ness City – 9'6"

3. Marie Martin, Goodland – 9'6"

Girls Long Jump

1. Bailey McCorkle, Colby – 16'5½"

2. Blaidynn Carman, Colby – 15'11½"

3. Jenna Storz, Phillipsburg – 15'7"

Girls Triple Jump

1. Brenlynn Rath, Golden Plains – 36'3¾"

2. Brittany Swartz, Colby – 33'3¾"

3. Harper Mauck, Hoxie – 32'9½"

Girls Shot Put

1. Callie Leidig, Phillipsburg – 38'10"

2. Mackenzie Woolf, Wallace County – 37'3"

3. Jaylen Herl, Hoxie – 36'11"

Girls Discus

1. Mackenzie Woolf, Wallace County – 117'3"

2. Kayte Shively, Rawlins County – 116'6"

3. Jaylen Herl, Hoxie – 113'1"

Girls Javelin

1. Karissa Keeten, Phillipsburg – 127'0"

2. Allison Zimmerman, Colby – 124'8"

3. Emily Bainter, Hoxie – 123'6"

With the postseason drawing near, many of these athletes look poised to make deep runs at regionals and state. The Colby Invitational served as both a test and a triumph for northwest Kansas track and field, and the energy on the track and in the stands suggests the best is yet to come.