Sailor track team numbers grow

April 29, 2022 — On April 26, Mapleton hosted 10 other schools for a Special District 2 track meet.

The Sailors added a much needed additional member to the team at the event when freshman Dom Stewart made his season debut. This gave the host school four athletes competing at the event.

Sophomore Tanae Robbins is also expected to join the team in the next few weeks, according to Sailor Coach Ed Dillahay.

In addition to Stewart’s debut, Joe Shepard and Opal Burruss continued their exceptional senior seasons on the track and freshman Helen Burruss tried her hand at the three throwing events and the long jump.

Top Sailor performances include Opal’s first place in the 1500m. She set a personal record with a time of 5:32. In a race that was ran with boys and girls combined, Opal not only topped the entire female field but also beat seven boys to finish fifth overall.

Shepard continued working towards his goal of a state championship in the triple jump with a solid jump of 38’10 to win the event.

Showing the diversity of this skillset, Shepard PR’d and finished fifth in the shortest race at the meet, the 100m (12.52a). At the last meet Mapleton entered, five days prior, he set a personal record and finished fifth in what is usually the longest race, the 3000m, at the Central Coast Invitational on April 22.

Shepard also finished fourth in both the long and high jumps.

Stewart tried four different events at this first high school track meet, the 100m, shot put, discus and high jump. His top finish was in the high jump, where he jumped 4’4 and finished fifth.

Helen Burruss represented the Sailors in the three throwing events at the home meet. She PR’d in both the javelin (30’5) and the discus (38’5). She also entered the long jump, where she finished fifth.

In the event’s team competition, Mohawk won on the boys side with 88 points. Mapleton was ninth with 28.

Triangle Lake’s 121 points was at the top of the girls standings. The Sailor girls were eighth with 22.

Next up for the Mapleton track and field team is the Cougar Country Cinder Classic at Crow on May 3. First events begin at 3:30 p.m.