CASPER—In addition to some great performances overall, the Wheatland girls’ track team racked up several very impressive wins at the Wyoming High School Track and Field Championships held in Casper’s Harry Geldien Stadium this past weekend.

On Thursday evening, the 1600-meter sprint medley relay team of Laynie Goertz, Maggie Hicks, Desirae Iacovetto and Lily Nichols set a new all-class and 3A record, running the event in a time of 4:10.56. That mark topped the previous all-class record set by Jackson Hole in 2021 (4:11.53) and the 3A record set by Rawlins (4:14.04) at the 2023 state championships. 

On Friday afternoon, Lily Nichols won the state championship in the long jump with a mark of 18 feet, 9 ½ inches, setting a new class 3A record previously held by Riverton’s Naya Shime when she jumped 18-08.75 in 2018. 

Nichols also took the state title in the 800-meter run, clocking a 2:22.48 and finished fifth in the 400. Brook Asmus of Torrington won the 400, running the track in 59.45.

Wheatland’s speedster Desirae Iacovetto picked up the second-place medals in the 100 and 200. She clocked a 12.38 in the 100, just behind Torrington’s Asmus who set a new 3A record in a time of 12.26. It began with a battle in the prelims as they finished with the top two times--Asmus marking 11.91 and Iacovetto at 11.96.

It was much the same story in the 200 as Asmus set another 3A record, finishing in 24.24 while Iacovetto claimed second with a time of 24.90. The previous records were set in 2011 by Kereston Thomas of Rawlins who ran a 12.12 in the 100 and a 25.03 in the 200.

Laynie Goertz ran a 12.86 in the 100 prelims but did not make the finals.   

Iacovetto also competed in the high jump where she tied for the 10th spot, clearing 4 feet, 10 inches. First went to Jaylee Antonino of Mountain View who marked 5-06.

In the pole vault, Kacey Otero finished fourth at 9-06 and Maggie Hicks picked up eighth place, clearing at 9-0. Paige Fredericks tied for the 10th spot, marking 8-06.  Mylie Mitchell of Mountain View took top honors with a height of 10-06.

Hicks and Otero joined Laynie Goertz and Emma Kaushagen on the 4x100 relay team to claim fourth place with a time of 51.97. Torrington took that event in 48.81, setting another new 3A record.

Karly Jones finished 16th in the discus throw, marking 81-10. Kathy Dexter of Pinedale took first place with a distance of 144-06.

Lander Valley won the 3A team title with 116.5 points, followed by Worland (100), Buffalo (77), Powell (75), Mountain View (70), Torrington (68), Wheatland (61), Pinedale (41), Douglas (38), Thermopolis (18.5), Rawlins (18), Lovell (11), Glenrock (3), Newcastle (2) and Lyman (2).  

The regional and state meets wrapped up the high school track careers for seniors Paige Fredericks, Laynie Goertz, Kaylese Knez, Lily Nichols and Kacey Otero. 

Nichols has signed a letter of intent to continue her track and field career for the Cowgirls. Goertz has also signed a letter of intent to run track at Chadron State College. 

No doubt they will all be missed but Wheatland’s outlook for the 2024-2025 season is bright with so many strong competitors returning for the Lady Bulldogs.