The Soldotna boys and girls swept the team titles at the 21-team SoHi Invitational over the weekend, riding dominant performances in sprints, hurdles, and relays.
On the boys side, the Stars finished with 163.5 points, ahead of Colony’s 139. Soldotna won nine of 17 events, including three of four relays. The SoHi girls were even more dominant, scoring 177.5 points to top Colony (141.5) and Homer (112), also claiming four relay victories.
In the boys sprint events, Soldotna’s Tyce Escott led the way with wins in the 100 meters (11.00) and 200 meters (22.65), while teammate James Innes won the 400 (52.55). The Stars also won the 400, 800, and 1,600 relays. Seward’s Ronan Bickling was second in both the 100 (11.35) and 200 (23.10).
In hurdles, Wyatt Faircloth of Soldotna swept the 110 (15.62) and 300 (41.82). Kenai Central’s Delen Byrd placed third in the 110 hurdles (17.22). In field events, SoHi’s Luke Miller won the shot put (47–4.25), while teammate Theo Huff was third in discus (130–3). Seward’s Olin Liljemark took the high jump with a clearance of 6–0.
In girls events, SoHi’s Sarah Brown won the 100 meters (13.08), Sophia Jedlicki took the 200 (26.93), and Annie Burns won the 800 (2:23.32). Jedlicki was also second in the 400, while Juliet Innes won the discus (115–5). Homer’s Reilly Sue Baker, representing the Peninsula but not counted in the scoring summary here, placed first in the long jump (16–3.5).
Soldotna’s girls took top honors in the 400, 800, 1,600, and 3,200 relays. In the 100 hurdles, Homer’s Gracie Miotke won in 16.15, with SoHi’s Samantha Piscoya finishing fourth. Seward’s Maddie Haas finished second in the 300 hurdles (52.17).
Kenai’s Sophie Tapley placed sixth in the 100 meters with a personal best of 13.32, while Willow Graham tied for sixth in discus at 95–4.
Seward, Kenai, and Nikiski all had top-eight finishes throughout the weekend, but the meet was clearly dominated by a deep and well-rounded Soldotna team as the championship season nears.