Two boys qualify for state

Orion Chargers Matt Knoll and Nick Graber will compete in the state track meet this weekend in Charleston.

They qualified at the Monmouth-Roseville sectional on Friday, May 16.

Knoll is going as a sectional champion in both long jump  (20 feet, 1 1/2 inches) and triple jump (42-2 1/2). Graber finished second in the high jump (6-3).

They will compete on Friday, May 23, and Saturday, May 24, at O’Brien Stadium on the Eastern Illinois University campus.

Besides Knoll and Graber, the only Charger to place as an individual during sectionals was Kennen Hutchison.

He came in sixth in the 400-meter dash, burning over the Sunnylane track in 53.8 seconds.

Graber, Noah Wikle, Joey Bergstrand and Knoll recorded a time of 45.8 seconds for sixth place in the 400 relay.

Chargers competing in field events included Joey Bergstrand, 17-10 1/2 in the long jump; Austin Ladewig, 34-11 in the shot put and 96-10 in the discus; Tyler Patton, 29-2 1/2 in the shot put; and Brandon Longnecker, 101-0 in the discus.

Ian Smith ran the 100 in 12.3 seconds. During the 200, Anthony Adkins sped to the finish line 26 seconds flat, while Matt Markezich turned in a time of 29.3 ticks. Colie Bolhous clocked 58.5 seconds for the 400.

Kyle DeFauw finished the 800 in 2:14. Ben Coe completed the race in 2:35.9.

DeFauw crossed the finish line at 5:12 in the 1600. Kory Armstrong’s time was 5:27.

Orion’s 800 relay of Knoll, Bergstrand, Graber and Wikle finished at 1:40.

The 1600 relay was timed at 3:50.2. Runners included Graber, Bolhous, Adkins and DeFauw.

Chargers running in the 3200 relay were Armstrong, Luke Owens, Travis Anderson and Coe. Their time was 9:56.