701 Apparel Invitational : Hi-Liner Track & Field

The Valley City Hi-Liners track and field teams stepped into one of the deepest and most competitive meets they’ll likely see before the state tournament on Friday in Jamestown — and the Hi-Liners responded with a gritty, battle-tested performance on a windy North Dakota spring day.

Against a field loaded with strong Class B programs and several state-caliber athletes, the Hi-Liner boys finished 8th overall with 37 team points while the girls placed 8th as well with 45 points. The meet featured 19 fully completed events on both sides and mirrored the type of depth and competition athletes can expect later this month at the state meet.

For Valley City, the day was highlighted by elite sprinting performances, major personal bests, and several podium finishes against some of the top competition in the state.

On the boys side, senior Derek Shape continues to give top performances in his track season, taking runner-up in the 400 meters with a personal-best time of 51.64 seconds. Shape also added a fifth-place finish in the 100-meter dash at 11.35.

Jayden Suhr continued to provide sprint depth for the Hi-Liners, placing 12th in the 200 meters with a season-best 23.90, while Hunter Undem added a strong personal-best effort in the 400 meters at 54.48 seconds.

The distance crew also continued to show consistency late in the season. Jack Sorby placed fifth in the 800 meters with a personal-best 2:10.09 and followed it up with another personal best in the 1600 meters, finishing sixth in 5:01.38. Elijah Drummond added solid finishes in both distance events as well.

In the field events, Owen Hunt had a massive day for the Hi-Liners, placing fifth in shot put at 46’9” and third in discus with a throw of 135’7”. Finn Dockter added a seventh-place finish in the long jump at 20’1”, while Kellen Westman placed in both the high jump and triple jump competitions.

The girls squad once again leaned on its speed and versatility throughout the meet.

Morgan Larson delivered one of the premier performances of the day, winning the 100-meter dash in 12.66 while also placing fourth in the 400 meters at 1:02.32.

Kadie Kocka added a fifth-place finish in the 100 meters and later finished runner-up in the pole vault, clearing 9 feet. Chesney Thomsen continued to contribute in the sprint events with a sixth-place finish in the 400 meters.

The Hi-Liner distance group also delivered key points. Cadence Fetsch ran an outstanding meet, placing fifth in the 800 meters before taking runner-up in the 1600 meters with a time of 5:47.45.

In the hurdles, Brynn Lueck earned points in both hurdle races, placing 10th in the 100 hurdles and sixth in the 300 hurdles with a time of 49.89.

Brooklyn Botz also had a productive day in the field events, placing in both the high jump and triple jump competitions, while Tessa Anderson and the Hi-Liner throwers battled through difficult throwing conditions in the shot put and discus rings.

With postseason competition rapidly approaching, Friday’s meet may have been exactly what Valley City needed — high-level pressure, quality opponents, and a chance to sharpen performances against athletes they’ll likely see again at the regional and state level.