By Bob Hamar
bob.hamar@theindependent.com

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Independent/Barrett Stinson Fullertonıs Matt Voichahoske lands after one of his three final jumps in the long jump competition on Tuesday during the Palmer Invitational track meet in St. Paul. Voichahoske, who also won the boys high jump event, went on to win the boys long jump event with a jump of 20 feet 3 inches. Independent/Barrett Stinson Nebraska Christianıs Rebbeca Woods (center) runs to a win in the girls 100-meter dash Tuesday during the Palmer Invitational track meet in St. Paul. Woodsı teammate Michelle Toukan (right) and Nikki Stevens of Spalding/Spalding Academy make their way down the track with Woods. Click Thumbnails to View

Last year the Warriors had just 12 boys out for track. This year they have 21.

That added depth paid off Tuesday when Fullerton scored 129.5 points to win the Palmer Invitational at St. Paul. North Loup-Scotia was second with 102.

"We're able to put more kids in different events and not get out nickeled and dimed," Wamberg said. "Some years in our conference we were losing to teams that had 20 or 30 guys who would nickel and dime us to death.

"This year we have kids who will get us some extra points. I tell the kids even if you get sixth, that's taking one point away from the other team so that's like a two-point swing. I got the younger kids believing that. Everybody is stepping up and scoring points."

The Warriors got a big performance from Matt Voichahoske. The senior set a school record in winning the high jump with a 6 foot, 4- inch leap.

Voichahoske also won the long jump (20-3).

Wamberg said Voichahoske's high jump puts him in good position for Monday's Central Nebraska Track and Field Championships sponsored by The Independent.

"He just barely missed 6-5, so he's going to be looking at being one of the top guys at the Grand Island meet," Wamberg said.

Tom Malander won the pole vault (11-0) and Tyler Ditter the discus (136-3) for the Warriors. A.J. Shotkoski also won the 300 hurdles (43.4).

"He's been getting nothing but better," Wamberg said of Shotkoski. "He got second in the 110s just by a smidge. It was a photo finish, but he turned around and won the 300 hurdles.

"He's such a hard working kid. You feel so much better when it's a good kid who works so hard."

Fullerton's Brad Wetovick won the 800 (2:13.5) despite suffering from a chest cold.

Wetovick was unable to run his normal leg in the 1,600 relay, but the Warriors adjusted well. Shotkoski, Matt Voichahoske, Ryan Larsen and Jeremy Wetovick teamed up to win the 1,600 relay in 3:46.5.

"Their times are getting better," Wamberg said. "They're getting close to where we can start thinking about making it to state with that team, but we're still going to have to shed off a few more seconds on that one."

Nebraska Christian's girls team got a big day from Rebecca Woods to help the Eagles take the team title with 108 points. North Loup-Scotia was second with 88.3

Woods won the 100 (12.8), the 200 (26.8) and the 100 hurdles (17.4). Woods also ran a leg on the winning 400 relay team along with Michelle Toukan, Karrah Miller and Michelle Clement.

"She is really getting in good condition and she's working really hard," Nebraska Christian coach Carl Ostrand said. "It's good to see her have success."

Clement won both the high jump (4-8) and the triple jump (32-7 3/4). Miller won the pole vault (8-0) and the 1,600 relay team took first for the Eagles.

Dana Kluthe won the 1,600 (6:07.2) and 3,200 (12:55) and finished second in the 800 to help North Loup-Scotia make a bid for the team title.

"We knew North Loup-Scotia was strong," Ostrand said. "We just wanted to give our girls the chance to make marks that would help them for conference and districts. Our goal mostly was to make marks that would help them for conference and districts.

"Our goal was to get ready for our conference meet and it turned out pretty well."

Heartland Lutheran had a good showing in its second meet in two days. The Red Hornets also competed in the Shelton Invitational on Monday.

The Red Hornet girls were fifth with 54 points. Freshman Ava Mackey won the 300 hurdles (54.7).

Heartland Lutheran's boys team finished fifth with 40 points. Jesse Bartels won the 110 hurdles (16.0).

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