HUXLEY, IA – The Ballard men's track team kicked off their 2025 season with a strong showing at the Ballard Invitational, tying for first place with South Hardin, both teams scoring 105 points. The Bombers showcased depth across sprint, distance, and field events, making a statement as they launch into the season.
Kane, Miller Lead the Way with Event Wins The Bombers were led by junior Stetson Kane, who won the 110-meter hurdles in an impressive 15.20 seconds. He was joined by teammate Chase Ihle, who placed second in the same event with a time of 15.91. Kane and Ihle later teamed up to help secure a first-place finish in the 4x110m shuttle hurdle relay, clocking in at 1:02.81 alongside Curtis Hinzman and Aiden Wilson.
Another highlight came in the high jump, where sophomore Parker Miller soared to victory with a leap of 6-02.00. Freshman Kanen DeYoung also made a strong varsity debut, clearing 6-00.00 to finish fifth.
Podium Finishes in Distance & Field Events The distance events were a major source of points for Ballard. Sophomore Max Davidson had an outstanding night, finishing second in the 3200 meters with a time of 10:17.34, a personal record. Freshman Austin Vance also claimed silver in the 1600 meters (4:56.84), showing early promise in his high school career. Graden Hermann (2:06.66) and Max Davidson (2:10.54) added key points with second and fourth-place finishes in the 800 meters, respectively.
In the shot put, senior Jackson Wacha took second place with a personal-best throw of 45-09.75, while sophomore Carter Sparks added a fourth-place finish with a mark of 45-04.00. Sparks also earned a point in the discus, placing sixth with a throw of 110-09.
Junior Chase Ihle showed his versatility by placing third in the long jump with a leap of 20-03.00, while sophomore Bryce Miller finished seventh with a personal-best 18-11.00.
Key Relay Performances Relays played a crucial role in the Bombers' success. In addition to their victory in the shuttle hurdle relay, Ballard secured a third-place finish in the distance medley relay (3:53.70) with solid performances from S. Farmer, L. Hurst, M. Wiechmann, and A. Vance.
The 4x200 meter relay team of Bryce Miller, Jaxon Shaw, Tate Leland, and Liam Hurst placed fifth in 1:37.69, adding key points to the team total. The 4x400 relay team of Bryce Miller, Evan Entrekin, Axton Campbell, and Jace Ortner finished seventh in 3:54.22.
With this strong start, the Bombers will look to build on their momentum as they travel to Gilbert on April 8 for their next meet.
Photo Credit: Kevin Rowedder