Langley’s top track and field athletes competed at the Northern Regional championships last Saturday. However, things didn’t go exactly as planned.
Sophomore Anna Cox was disqualified from competing in the meet after an unintentional mistake by a coach. “It was really disappointing not being able to run in Regionals, but I have spring track to look forward to this season,” said Cox.
Due to Anna’s disqualification from the meet, the girl’s 4x200m relay team was short one runner.
Although that problem was solved by substituting an alternate, another problem soon arose during the girl’s 4x200m, when the baton was dropped and the Langley team was disqualified.
“Being a senior it was especially disappointing, because that was the 4×200’s last chance and we were so close,” commented senior Molly Bremer, one of the runners on the disqualified relay team. Despite the unfortunate events of the 4x200m relay team, Bremer still remains optimistic for the spring season. “We should also have a good 4x100m relay this spring, so hopefully we can make states for that relay.”
As if the events at Regionals weren’t unlucky enough already, junior pole vaulter Jeff Tholen landed a vault on his feet (instead of on his back). Tholen shattered and dislocated both ankles as well as the bottom of his right fibula, breaking off and puncturing his joint. He was immediately rushed to the emergency room where he underwent surgery. “He’s doing pretty well considering everything that has happened,” said fellow junior and pole vaulter Logan Besougloff. Tholen is still in the hospital, and will undergo another surgery in two weeks.