Scoring 38 points in the final three events, the surprising Hillsboro boys captured first place at the 14-team Conrad Nightingale Invita­tional in Halstead on Friday.

Hillsboro finished with 85 points to outpace runners-up Cheney with 73 and Halstead with 68.

The Trojans clinched the title with a first-place finish in the 4x400 in a time of 3 minutes, 36.59 seconds. Grant Schneider, Cody McMillen, Ishmael Morris and Nathan Vogel ran for HHS.

Dakota Kaufman makes her mark in the triple jump. She went on to win the event with a distance of 34-11½

For McMillen, it was the third gold medal of the day. Earlier, the senior distance ace won the 3,200 (10:25.79) and 1,600 (4:55.12) and ran a leg of the Trojans’ second-place 4x800 team along with Nick Mueller, Matthew Klenda and Vogel.

“Cody wanted to experience what it could be like at the regional if he competes in four events,” said Hillsboro coach Dennis Boldt. “Today he worked through a very tough day of events in order to get a feel for what is coming up at the end of the season.”

Another key performer for Hillsboro was Jacob Yoder, who claimed gold medals in the 100 (10.97) and 200 (23.02).

Yoder and fellow members of the 4x100 were disqualified, but used the disappointment as motivation for later events.

“After the miscue in the 4x100 relay handoffs, I could see the determination in our team’s body language, particularly Ismael Morris and Jacob Yoder,” Boldt said.

Morris went on to claim Hillsboro’s other gold medal by winning the open 400 (52.95); he also placed second in the 200 (23.03), a little more than an eyelash behind Yoder.

The HHS girls, meanwhile, placed 11th as a team with 27 team points. Cheney claimed first with 96.

Sophomore Dakota Kaufman took home the Trojans’ only gold medal with a leap of 34-111⁄2 in the triple jump.

“I don’t think we competed at our highest level today,” Boldt said.

“We are still working on some relay personnel as well as continuing to work on our technical events. We are still trying to see what events the girls can score well in, not only individually but as a team.

“So, today many of the girls had a full day and it seemed like all the events came at once.”

Wichita Independent—Looking ahead to the Conrad Nightingale Invita­tional on Friday, coach Dennis Boldt rested many of his top athletes at the Central Kan­sas Track League quint in Wichita on Tuesday.

Hillsboro girls placed fourth with 35 points in a field with Wichita Independent (138), Berean Academy (88), Little River (39) and Goessel (16).

The Trojans’ best finishes were a pair of silver medals. Heidi Schroeder placed second in the 400 (1:18.84) and Allie Faul in the 100-meter high hurdles (19.21).

The HHS boys, meanwhile, placed fifth with 14 points behind Berean (109), Indepen­dent (94), Goessel (86) and Little River (47).

The Trojans managed third place finishes in the long jump (Ben Bebermeyer, 17-6) and 4x800 (Cody Blackketter, Michael Christian, Nick Carlson, Matt Richert, 10:50.27).

Coming—Hillsboro was scheduled to return to Halstead on Tuesday to compete at CKTL quint.

On Friday, Hillsboro will host the James Thomas Invitational at the Bethel College track, keeping the contract arranged a year ago with the North Newton school in anticipation of renovations at the Tabor College track.

Events begin at 3 p.m.

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