Rebels add more AQs at chilly Cody Invitational

While unable to crack the top six in the team standings, the Riverside Rebels still managed to post some AQs at Thursday’s blustery Cody Invitational.
Most of the teams in attendance were 3A schools.  Cody easily won both divisions, getting 194 points from its boys and 137.83 from its girls.
Worland, with 93 points, and Lovell, with 71.5 rounded out the top three in the boys division.  Worland also ran second in the girls division with 133.33 points, followed by Lander Valley with 121.
Riverside produced 10 points in the girls division, good for 10th, and five in the boys division, which left them in a 13-place tie with Rocky Mountain.
Vinaya VanderPloeg placed in two events, taking third in the 400 meters with a 1:01.66 and fifth in the 200 with a 27.59.  The junior has already qualified for state in both events.
“In the 400, she ran into a horrible wind, but I have no doubt she’ll be pushing to break 60 seconds in the next couple of weeks,” said Coach Jason Mitchell.
While no other Riverside girls placed, several placed among the top 20 in their individual events, which was an accomplishing in itself given the competition.
Kennedy Bassett placed ninth out of 39 entries in the 100-meter hurdles (17.77) and 14th out of 63 in the 200 (28.85).
Dakota Cervants placed 12th out of 23 in the 800 meters (2:50.6).
Varisa Olsen placed 16th out of 32 in 400 (1:11.05) and 20th out of 77 in the shot put (28-6 1/2).
Johnna Clifford was 21st out of 53 in the long jump (13-5 1/4).
Riverside scored five points in the boys division, four of them coming in the 400-meter relay as Ryder Kozisek, Avery Clifford, Wyatt Daly-Patterson and Ty Strohschein clocked a 48.18 which was good for sixth.
Clifford scored the other point, placing eighth in the triple jump.
Ty Strohschein just missed placing in two events, taking ninth in the 200 and ninth in the shotput, an event in which he was competing for the first time.  His throw of 41-2 1/2 was an AQ.
“He’s out of events — he’s not a hurdler and doesn’t want to run 400 — and since he already runs the 100, the 200 and the 4x1, he wanted to try something that didn’t take a toll on his legs,” said Mitchell. “He’s a tough kid. You can see that on the field and on the mat. But he’s also stronger than most of the guys he competes against.”
Strohschein’s day also included a 14th-place finish in the 100.
With school out for spring  break, Mitchell gave his athletes the choice of competing in Friday’s Burlington Invitational.  Those who wish to attend will need to log some practice time, he said.