The Hampton-Dumont-CAL boys sprint medley relay team took first place at the Bulldog Invitational on April 20, clocking a time of 1:40.42.
Carter Arends, Joseph Powers, Aaden Keehn and Briggs Gruelke combined for the victory, giving the Bulldogs a win on their home track with a lineup that was different from their usual group. Powers filled the changed spot in the relay.
Keehn says the group adjusted quickly, even though he and Powers had never completed a handoff together until before the race.
“Briggs and I are usually in this race,” Keehn says. “We wanted to make sure we show out for the home crowd. Joe and I, our first handoff ever was about a minute before the race started. And it went pretty well. We got a good handoff and felt good on that back stretch.”
Gruelke and Keehn say the adjusted lineup still felt comfortable as the Bulldogs continue to sort through combinations in the event.
“I thought it was good,” Gruelke says. “I mean, handoffs were good for our first time. Speed was good with the wind and stuff. Had to account for that, but I think it was a great effort by all of us tonight.”
Keehn adds, “Still trying to find the group that’ll fit right with handoffs and obviously less wind, in the future, this could look pretty good.”
The victory adds to a strong season in the event for Hampton-Dumont-CAL. Earlier this spring, a sprint medley team of Arends, Bayden Wrich, Keehn and Gruelke ran 1:38.87, the fifth-fastest time in the boys track and field program.
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