Lynn Wilhelm
CherryRoad Media
There isn’t anything more electric, chilling, or emotional than seeing an athlete from your school cross the finish line with their arms in the air for first place! And that’s just what Jayden Meyer, Ashlynn Vestal, and Nolan Gartner did under the roaring crowds of Burke Stadium.
The Syracuse High School track team delivered a standout performance at the NSAA Class C State Track Meet on May 23–24. Competing against the top athletes in Nebraska, the Rockets brought home 16 medals and shattered four school records, electrifying their fans and securing top team finishes on both the girls’ and boys’ sides.
The girls’ team soared to a second-place finish with 50 points, just behind champion Kearney Catholic. Leading the charge was senior Jayden Meyer, who captured gold in the 800m (2:17.08), a silver in the triple jump (37’3.5), and 5th in the 400m (57.85). Meyer also contributed to the 4x400m relay team along with junior Ashlynn Vestal and freshmen Tatumn Walters and Capri Hansen who placed third and set a new school record (4:01.83). The old record was 4:04.95 set by Lauren Meyer (Jayden’s sister), Lauren Seifken, Grace Damme, and Ellie Wilkinson in 2018.
Ashlynn Vestal dazzled with a gold medal and broke her own school record in the 300m hurdles (43.75) and placed third in the 400m (57.45). Following the finish of the gold medal race in the hurdles, Vestal ran even faster to hug her parents and fans waiting for her beyond the finish line fence. It took a bit for her to regain her composure to get interviewed following the race. In addition to the 4x400m relay, Vestal competed in the 4x100m relay with juniors Kathleen Donovan and Bridget Donovan, and Tatumn Walters to take third with a school record of 49.25.
Another strong performance came from repeat state qualifier junior Reagan Wilhelm, who placed 8th in the high jump (5’). Clearing 5’ on her first try secured the 8th place medal for Wilhelm ahead of six other jumpers who also cleared 5’.
On the boys’ side, the Rockets earned a 4th-place team finish with 39 points. Junior Nolan Gartner with a leopard print painted into his recently buzzed haircut blazed to a first-place finish and school record in the 800m (1:54.73). He also claimed third in the 400m (49.76). Gartner anchored multiple relays with incredible splits, including the 4x800m, which placed third in 8:07.75. The other legs of the 4x800m relay were freshman Lawson Stark, and juniors Xavier Apel and Dayton Graves. The 4x400m relay team of junior Will Janssen, Apel, Graves, and Gartner placed 7th with a time of 3:27.32.
Distance runner Dayton Graves had a strong showing, placing 8th in both the 1600m (4:29.71) and 3200m (9:57.07), in addition to the relays.
In the field events, senior Gavin Kelch earned silver in discus (165’5), with junior Hunter Holle adding a 4th place finish (158’1). Kelch recently announced that he will be attending Nebraska Wesleyan University to continue his track career as a Prairie Wolf.
“This team has poured their heart into this season, and I couldn’t be more proud of the way they performed at the State Meet,” commented coach Phil Janssen. “Sixteen of our 30 entries scored points. That’s a testament to the hard work, grit, and determination these athletes have shown all year. To have Nolan and Jayden sweep the 800m and win their first gold medals was a moment we’ll never forget. Ashlynn repeating as the 300m hurdle champion just shows her incredible drive and consistency. We broke four school records, had two more silver medalists, and saw our boys finish 4th and our girls bring home the state runner-up trophy. It was an unforgettable weekend, one that reflects the heart of this team and the support of our amazing coaches, families, and community.”
As the curtain fell on the 2024 track season, Syracuse returned home to be escorted and paraded through town behind the sirens and horns of the town fire trucks and fans. A tradition for all state champs that will never get old at SDA. As always, another great day to be a Rocket!
GIRLS
Top 5 Teams – Kearney Catholic 79, Syracuse 50, Wahoo Neumann 47, West Holt 45, Battle Creek 29
100m Dash – Kathleen Donovan, DNP, 12.67
200m Dash – Kathleen Donovan, DNP, 26.28
400m Dash – Ashlynn Vestal, 4th, 57.45, Jayden Meyer, 5th, 57.85
800m Run – Jayden Meyer, 1st, 2:17.08
3200m Run – Ava Mohr, DNP, 12:17.51
300m Hurdles – Ashlynn Vestal, 1st, 43.75*
4x100m Relay – 3rd, Kathleen Donovan, Ashlynn Vestal, Bridget Donovan, Tatumn Walters, 49.25*
4x400m Relay – 3rd, Tatumn Walters, Capri Hansen, Ashlynn Vestal, Jayden Meyer 4:01.83*
High Jump – Reagan Wilhelm, 8th, 5’
Shot Put – Kendra Dowland, DNP, 32’9.75
Pole Vault – Bridget Donovan, DNP, 8’6
Triple Jump – Jayden Meyer, 2nd, 37’3.5
BOYS
Top 5 Teams – Perkins County 61, West Holt 57, North Platte St. Pat’s 40, Syracuse 39, Lincoln Lutheran 31, Battle Creek 31, Freeman 31
100m Dash – Will Janssen, DNP, 11.46
400m Dash – Nolan Gartner, 3rd, 49.76
800m Run – Nolan Gartner, 1st, 1:54.73*
1600m Run – Dayton Graves, 8th, 4:29.71
3200m Run – Dayton Graves, 8th, 9:57.07
110m Hurdles – Oliver Eylar, DNP, 16.69
4x400m Relay – 7th, Will Janssen, Xavier Apel, Dayton Graves, Nolan Gartner, 3:27.32
4x800m Relay – 3rd, Lawson Stark, Xavier Apel, Dayton Graves, Nolan Gartner 8:07.75
Shot Put – Hunter Holle, DNP, 51’7.5; Gavin Kelch, DNP, 49’1.25; Ryan Kirchhoff, DNP, 48’7.5
Discus – Gavin Kelch, 2nd, 165’5’; Hunter Holle, 4th, 158’1; Ryan Kirchhoff, DNP, 142’9
Triple Jump – Max Parde, DNP, 40’6
Long Jump – Tieran Cox, DNP, 20’1; Will Janssen, DNP, 19’4
*School Record
DNP – Did Not Place
