Fallon track teams excel at Elks invite

Despite a solid performance on a chilly day, the Fallon boys track team could not overcome Division I power McQueen at the 41st annual Fallon Elks Invitational on Saturday at the Edward Arciniega Complex.

McQueen racked up 183 points followed by Fallon (102), Spanish Springs (85), Dayton (58.5) and South Tahoe (49.5).

On the girls side, McQueen took the title with 124 points. In second was Spring Creek (96) followed by Truckee (71), Dayton (67), Spanish Springs (62), Lowry (55.5) and Fallon (44).

“The boys had a good day overall placing second behind powerhouse McQueen,” boys coach Steve Heck said. “This is the first meet of the year with electronic timing and it is the first chance for us to really see what kinds of times we are running. I knew McQueen would be tough and I was hoping we could hang a little closer with them, but they just have incredible depth. We had some nice performances, though.”

In its 41st year, the Fallon Elks Invitational is the second-longest running track meet in Northern Nevada. More than 20 schools competed, which makes the meet the second-largest in the region behind the Reed Invitational.

Dozens of volunteers came out to work the meet and braved frigid temperatures. Heck said the meet would not be possible without them.

“The meet itself was great,” he added. “I want to express the sincere gratitude of the coaching staff to all the parents and volunteers who came out and helped. They and the Fallon team did a great job running events, moving equipment, and just helping out all over the place. The Elks also supplied some very nice awards for the participants.”

Tyson Ernst was solid in the sprints for Fallon as the defending I-A state champ placed second in the 100 (11.61 seconds) and seventh in the 200 (24.12). Trent Tarner added a seventh- and eighth-place finish (11.87 and 24.39) in the two events, respectively.

Cameron Kissick, meanwhile, was solid in the 400, taking third (53.55).

Nathan Schank continued his success in the distance races with a second-place finish in the 800 (2:08.7) and fifth in the 1,600 (4:49.2). Tanner Boone, meanwhile, nabbed a pair of fourth-place marks in the 1,600 (4:46.01) and 3,200 (10:35.5).

“Nathan Schank is looking really strong already in the 800,” Heck said. “His second place 2:08 is really a great mark for this early in the year. Tanner Boone is starting the season strong. He is already only 2 seconds off his best time last year in the 1600.”

Fallon’s hurdling duo, meanwhile, was without Nathan Heck, who missed the events due to an illness. Nick Marsan, however, won the 300 (42.37) and took second in the 110 (15.94). Filling in for Heck, though, was Cameron Matzen, who had a solid showing by taking seventh in the 110 (17.10) and eighth in the 300 (45.08).

In the shot put ring, Justin Hatfield continued his improvement with a toss of 45-11, which placed him third.

Beau Marshall had a solid day in the pits as the junior took second in the triple jump (40-4.5) and third in the long jump (20-3). Ernst, meanwhile, was seventh in the triple jump (37-5.75) and eighth in the long jump (19-2.5).

For the Lady Wave, Elena Murray had a solid day as the junior placed fourth in the 100 hurdles (17.29), sixth in the 300 (52.79), third in the triple jump (32-1) and fourth in the long jump (14-6.25).

Kelsey Reibsamen, meanwhile, took eighth in the 100 hurdles (18.89) and fifth in the pole vault (7-0).

In the jumps, Julianne Hale placed fifth (4-10) and sixth (30-11) in the high jump and triple jump, respectively. Abigail Belbin added a fifth-place finish in the long jump (14-5), while Kyonna Caillouette was eighth in the triple jump (30-4).