Joey Beckner breaks school discus record

After the 2020 season was canceled due to COVID-19, the Holyoke High School track and field team is coming out of the gates strong with several first places and a new school record in its first two meets of the season.

In fact, the Holyoke boys won the very first race of the day — a 1600 meter sprint medley relay — at the Bill Kalb Invitational on Tuesday, May 4, in Yuma. Coach Corey Koberstein said that particular relay won’t be a part of their normal lineup, so “hopefully it’s a good omen for the rest of the season.”

Relay members included Alec Sprague, Cash Weber, Gage Sprague and Ivan Cummings.

Another first-place finish on Tuesday was Ethan Johnson’s long jump of 18 feet, 11 inches. The Holyoke junior also took top honors in Saturday’s long jump at the Fort Morgan Invitational, improving to 20 feet, five inches.

“Everybody stepped up and improved” between Tuesday and Saturday, said Koberstein.

On Saturday, senior Joey Beckner checked off a season goal to break the school record in the discus. His third-place throw of 145 feet, 10 inches broke Andrew Colglazier’s 2002 record of 143 feet, 3 inches.

Koberstein said another highlight was winning the last race of the day Saturday, with the boys 4x400 meter relay taking first place with relay members Kaison Kinnie, Bryson Dirks, Wyatt Sprague and Ethan Johnson.

The coach said only a few girls were able to compete last week due to volleyball and other commitments.

Koberstein was proud of Anna Chaney’s personal best in the pole vault in Yuma — the only placing for the Holyoke girls Tuesday.

On Saturday, senior Emali Torres won first in the shot put with a throw of 36 feet, 5.5 inches.

Freshman Tayla Martin had a good showing in the sprints Saturday, and Koberstein said he was appreciative that volleyball coach Michelle Vieselmeyer allowed Martin to compete at the track meet in between regional and state volleyball.

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