Track and Field
Big C Relays at The Dome
Courtesy of VHS Coaches – Mother Nature apparently didn’t get the memo that it is spring and time for track and field. The Buccaneer team, however, has been working hard and even got in a few “brisk” days out on the track before our first official meet. This past weekend the Buccaneer track team kicked off their 2022 season at The Dome in Anchorage, competing in the Big C Relays, hosted by ACS, Grace Christian schools and USATF. The Bucs joined 27 other teams from all around Alaska for the largest high school meet in the state. True to its name, the Big C Relays hosts races primarily consisting of teamed relay events. Athletes compete in not only the traditional relays such as the 4X100m and 4X400m, but also compete in a sprint relay (100m, 100m, 200m, 400m), a co-ed Swedish Relay (100m, 200m, 300m, 400m), a distance relay (200m, 200m, 400m, 800m) and even a co-ed 4X1 mile relay. The relays are not only a lot of fun, they also allow coaches to record the times of multiple athletes per race. This allows for greater participation, and since it’s one of the earliest meets of the season, coaches are able to get great benchmarks for their athletes.
The Buccaneers had 28 athletes participate in this year’s action-packed meet. In one of the highlights of the weekend, Dennis Mott broke his own VHS school record in the Discus with a throw of 129’ 1”. Momoe Togagaeand Alyvia Askren had a great first meet and tied with each other in Shot Put with a throw of 28’ 5” (less than a foot away from the school record). Carlie VanBuskirk was right behind with a Shot Put throw of 27” 1.5”. Izzy Kizer had a great starting long jump at 12’ 7.75”.
Other highlights included the 4X100m relay of Andrew Baczuk, Jason Smilie, Nick Alfaro, and A.J. Mann with a time of 48.49. The 1,1,2,4 relay team of Andrew Baczuk, Nick Alfaro, Barrett McCumby and Cole Wadsworth had an impressive run with a time of 1:50.15. The distance relay (2,2,4,8) team of Hunter Francis, Nick Alfaro, Barrett McCumby, and Rafe Caruthers set a new Buccaneer record at 4:23.47, and the 1,1, 2, 4 sprint relay team of Anika Palomar, Isabella Smelcer, Carlie VanBuskirk, and Desi Woodgate had an excellent run with a time of 2:19.85.
The next meet for the Buccaneers is the Wasilla meet on April 29-30.
Band & Choir Region Music Fest in Cordova
The view of the aurora.
Courtesy of VHS Staff – This weekend music students traveled to Cordova and participated in a number of musical events with nine other high schools from around the state.
Of the nine students that preformed solos, six received a Superior ratings and will compete in the state solo competition in Anchorage the first week of May:
Blythe Ditman
Alina Kockentiet
Kassidy Ferguson
Ezekiel Duncan
Cameron Bowden
Jaelynn Adams
Blythe Ditman and Alina Kockentiet auditioned and were chosen as two of only 17 students in our region to participate in the Aurora Honor Choir.
Jojo Ferguson, Cameron Bowden, Emory Disney, Morgan Hamilton, Ezekiel Duncan, and Jaelynn Adams auditioned or were recommended for inclusion in the Aurora Honor Band, a major accomplishment.
Two students, Alina Kockentiet, and Cameron Bowden were recognized as First Chair
students, an award signifying their mastery of their instrument or vocal category and
their responsibility to lead and help other students in the honor ensembles master their
parts.
And, the Aurora was shockingly clear to wave us goodbye and onto the ferry early
Sunday morning.