Chester boys track: Kiner leads the way as season opens with impressive win

The Yellow Jackets boys track and field team had two good outings to start the 2019 season, both at home, at the Dr. Charles R. Young Track and Field Complex.

The Jackets won 18 events in both meets combined. They placed second in six events; 3rd in five events; 4th in 11 events; 5th in seven events and 6th in two events, for a total of 318 points.

Keith Kiner III, fresh off a terrific basketball season, won six events alone in the two meets - both long jump competitions, the triple jumps and the 400-meter dashes.

Freshman Aiden Jany won the 100-meter dash and the 200-meter dash at both meets.

Sophomore Tyler Holm won in the discus and sophomore Matt Korando in the high jump. Freshman Jacob Cowell won the pole vault, and sophomore Gage Garniss won the 110-meter and 300-meter hurdles.

Rounding out the winning at the first two meets was the CHS 400 relay team, the 1600 relay team and the 400 relay team.

Jackets' season opens in strong form

Chester won the opening meet over six other teams with 178 points, and Coach Ben Hunter was pleased.

"I am really proud of the boys' efforts," he said. "They have worked hard so far in practice and it was rewarding to see that effort pay off."

Chester's winning 178 points was followed by Steeleville (89), Christopher (88), Sparta (66), Gibault (57), New Athens (23), and Christ Our Savior Lutheran (1).

In this competition the Yellow Jackets had 12 1st place finishes, two 2nd place, three 3rd place, four 4th place and four 5th places. Second place finishes included Tyler Holm at shot put and the CHS 800 relay team. Third place finishes were Trent Bierman (3200-meter run), Jordan Hughes (800-meter run), and Aiden Jany (400-meter dash).

Fourth places went to Caleb Parker (100-meter dash), Matt Korando (300-meter hurdles), Caleb Parker, 200-meter dash and the 3200-meter relay team.

Fifth places went to Justin Clendenin (long jump), Colin Wingerter (triple jump), Matt Korando (110-meter hurdles) and Jordan Hughes (1600-meter run).

Second place finish in March 26 meet

In their second meet on March 26, the Jackets finished second among seven teams with 140 points. Nashville won the meet with 210 points, followed by Chester (140), Red Bud (64), Steeleville (55), Gibault (37), New Athens (35) and Christ Our Savior Lutheran (2).

Chester recorded six 1st place finishes, four runner-up finishes, two 3rd places, seven 4th places, three fifth places and a pair of 6th places.

Second places were won by Gage Garniss (110-meter hurdles), Gage Garniss (300-meter hurdles), the 800-meter relay team and the 1,600-meter relay team.

Finishing third were Jacob Cowell (pole vault) and Caleb Parker (200-meter dash).

Finish fourth were Tyler Holm (discus), Matt Korando (high jump), Colin Wingerter (triple jump), Trent Bierman (3,200-meter run), Caleb Parker (100-meter dash), Aiden Jany (400-meter dash), and the 3,200-meter relay team.

Fifth place finishes were had by Colin Wingerter (high jump), Joran Hughes (800-meter run) and Jordan Hughes (1,600-meter run.

Finally, Chester had two 6th place finishes, from Tyler Holm (shot put), and Justin Clendenin (long jump).

Coach Ben Hunter said, It's a good start to the season and I look forward to the rest of 2019 being a great and successful year."