The Manhattan High track team kicked off postseason with a bang last Thursday at Centennial League, with the girls finishing in third and the boys in fourth.

The top placers from MHS in the girls division included junior Adanna Okere, who placed third in the 100 meter dash; junior Cara Melgares who finished first in the 1,600 meter run, second in the 3,200 meter run and second in javelin; senior Montana Kubista, who placed first in pole vault and the 4×100 meter, and 4×800 meter teams each bought home third place.

The boys division had several placers as well: senior Brandon Religa, who finished in third in the 400 meter dash and second in the 800 meter run; junior Tom Haug and senior Christian Carmichael, who brought home second and third respectively in the high jump; juniors Josh Haus and Ian Trapp, who finished in first and second place in javelin; junior John Haug, who placed second in triple jump; and the 4×800 meter relay team finished in third place.

Amidst all of the medals that MHS brought home, there are also several new personal records. Amongst those include sophomore Joy Gruenbacher, who earned a new PR in 1,600 meter run.

“I felt relieved when I PR’d because until the finish, I don’t actually know my time,” Gruenbacher said. “I just know how the race felt. It felt really good when coach told me my time and confirmed how I felt during the race.”

Next up for the tracksters is Regionals, which will take place at 3 p.m. this Friday at Lawrence Free State.

“Honestly, for the way [Centennial] went, I would say to be the best you can be,” junior Amber Gloria said. “You can’t control what others do. Coach [Kory] Cool says that to us all the time and it’s what gets me through practice.”