Cape track teams open indoor-outdoor season with wins

The track teams of Cape Henlopen and Sussex Central opened up the indoor-outdoor season Jan. 22, with the Cape boys winning 61-43 and the Cape girls winning 86-11. Katie Kuhlman, one of the top distance runners in the state and also one of the nicest kids you will find, won the 1,600 meters in 5:53, anchored the 4-by-800 relay and won the 3,200 meters to score 11.5 points on the day. Kuhlman, who also races on the FFA club team, takes care of goats and sheep when she is not pounding the pavement logging her miles. Elizabeth Melson is working on the high jump, where it is looking like she could do some special things in that event this year. Maggie Browne won the long jump in 14-feet-4-inches and high jump in 4-feet-6-inches. Aubrie Myers, a young hurdler, won the 55 hurdles and made her way onto the 4-by-200 relay, helping her team of Lainey Shockro, Montana Jones and Tia Jarvis to victory in 1:57. Jarvis won the 800 meters in 2:34, while thrower Haley Archambault won the shot put in 25-feet-2-inches.

One of the finest sprinters in the state, Central’s Tatiana Kelsic, won the 55 meters in 7.30 and the 200 meters in 27.02. Teammate Essence Moorebridell was third in the 55 meters in 7.74.

Cape distance runner Hunter Jones is coming off an injury and is getting better each practice for the Cape boys’ team. Jones showed some happy emotion at the finish of the 1,600 meters, as he hit the tape in 4:58 to lead a Cape 1-2-3 sweep. The 800 meters went to Central’s David Wootten in an impressive 2:05 over Julian Callaway in 2:10 and Ryan Baker in 2:15.

Lance Kauffman ran all by himself in the 3,200 run, cruising to a 10:40. Nate Loucks won the triple in 37-feet-8-inches. Central’s P.J. Stratton won both sprint races, the 55 meters in 6.96 and the 200 meters in 23.04, while Skyler McVicker won the hurdles in 9.71. Cape won a come-from-behind 4-by-200 relay in a nice winter time of 1:38.4 with Cody Workman on the anchor, while Central won the 4-by-400 won in 3:46.

“Our team has really come together during this tough time,” said Cape coach Ellis Gaulden. “Their level of mental toughness has been tested all winter by training in the cold. They continue to come out each day accepting the challenge of becoming better athletes.”

Coach Ellis made a mention of senior distance runner Daniel Adili-Khams. “Although Daniel did not win the race, he PR-ed in the intersquad meet and was only one second off his PR this past week against SC.”

The Vikings will host Sussex Academy Thursday or Friday, Feb. 4 or 5, depending on the weather. Due to COVID guidelines, no visiting spectators are allowed and only one spectator per athlete allowed into the bleachers for the Cape athletes.

Quarter horses

The Webster Dictionary refers to a quarter horse as “small, but powerful and quick.” As a track coach – most track coaches will agree with me – the hardest race on the track is the 400 meters. My philosophy over the past 30 years has been to train my sprinters for the 100, 200 and 400, and that gives you the most flexibility to go up or down with the athlete. In the early ’90s, I moved my mile relay team up to the two-mile relay on a Friday night and we ran 8:12 at the Dover relays. Some coaches treat sprinters only as 100 and 200 athletes and use the middle distance runners to handle the 400 meters. Everyone coach is different, but with the meet on the line in the final mile relay event, who do you want on the track? You want your sprinters who are quick and explosive.

Quarter miler Tia Jarvis won the event at last year’s conference meet and went on to place at the state championships, and we know she can run the quarter. My job this winter was to sell three more athletes on the single lap around the oval and so far freshman Lainey Shockro, freshman Hannah Maney and junior Lexi Dougherty have moved right into the event and have looked great so far. The threesome teamed with Jarvis in the mile relay last Friday and turned in a 4:34 performance and also grabbed the top three spots in the 400-meter dash. The foursome continue to make each other better as they train hard every cold day. I’ll buy a quarter horse any day!

Inaugural Freeze the Day 5K set Feb. 21

The first event of 2021 for the Seashore Striders will be held on the new Sandhill Fields 5,000-meter cross country course at 10 a.m., Sunday, Feb. 21. The theme of the event is "Freezing Cancer In Its Tracks." This event will benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Run or walk in this event for a great cause. In the case of inclement weather, the rain/snow date is Sunday, Feb. 28.

“I was nominated for Students of the Year, an initiative for high school students to develop philanthropic leadership,” said organizer Sadie Tunnell. “With this program, I am raising funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I decided to put on a 5K because I have a passion for running and this event is a fun way to bring our community together during a difficult time.”

The Sandhill course is a beautiful wooded course with scenic trails through nature, wetlands, wooden bridges and more. If you have not walked or jogged at Sandhill, it is worth the trip. Just do not take Route 9, as it is under construction. Instead, use the northern route from Milton.

There will no be a traditional packet pick-up on race day as we will utilize our drive-by packet pick-up Saturday, Feb. 20 from 3 to 4 p.m. at the Lewes library, 111 Adams Ave. off Freeman Highway heading toward the Cape May-Lewes Ferry and Cape Henlopen State Park. Please remain in your car and roll down your passenger side window and our volunteers will communicate with you from there.