HOT SPRINGS, Ark. — A steady rain and windy conditions may have slowed some competitors, but others set personal records during Tuesday’s 5A Track and Field Championships at Lakeside High School.
Benton’s depth was a key factor in winning the boys division. Lake Hamilton’s girls finished 1-2-3 in the 800, 1600 and 3200 to easily capture the girls division.
Benton scored 154 points, with Lakeside second at 111. Lake Hamilton placed fourth with 90, and Arkansas High edged Hot Springs for sixth 58-39.
The Rams’ Joseph Bariola set a personal best in the 800 with a time of 56.93. Hot Springs’ Alex Pacheco won silver in 2:07.64. The Wolves’ Nathan Miller was third in 2:10.10. Miller won the 1600, with Bariola a close second, and Lakeside’s Connor Castleman third.
Rain doesn’t bother Lake Hamilton freshman
Freshman Noah Stack of Lake Hamilton won the pole vault with a personal best of 13-8.
The Razorbacks posted some late highlights. Freshman Daqucallin Riley won the 400 (51.67). Lakeside’s Chase Dew and Denver Davidson were close behind. Arkansas High’s Telly Wells won the 200 (22.78). The Hogs were second in the 4×100 (44.1).
Lake Hamilton’s girls won six events. Olivia Pielemeier took home four of those gold medals. She was the anchor on the 4×800 relay with a time of 10:47.61 Pielemeier won the 1600 (5:30), 3200 (11:43.92), 800 (2:33 .34). She has better times in all four races, qualifying for state at Lake Hamilton.