In just its third year of sanctioned Arkansas Activities Association competition, Ozark Catholic Academy in Tontitown took home the boys team title and was runner-up in the girls competition at the 1A State Track and Field Championships May 3 in Lincoln.
OCA boys scored 95.33 points to claim top team honors, outpacing Mineral Springs in second with 90 points and Founders Classical Academy, which took third. The girls team scored 74 points, second behind Kingston, which scored a three-peat in state track team titles with 79 points. Mount Ida was third in overall girls scoring.
Griffins sophomore Isaac Pohlmeier turned in a dominating performance, winning four events. He topped the field in the 800 meter, 1,600 meter and 3,200 meter runs as well as the 3,200 meter relay, which sealed the team title.
Other medal winners included Peyton Goldschmidt, who was second in the 300 meter hurdles, as well as tied for eighth in the high jump; and Ervin Sanchez, who took third in the 400 meter. Meanwhile, Joseph Ramirez placed third in the 1,600 meter and 3,200 meter and joined Pohlmeier on the 3,200 meter relay gold medal team.
Rounding out the winning 3,200 meter relay team were Joey Squillance, who also placed eighth in the 800 meter; and John Paul Schaefer, who also placed fifth in the 1,600 meter and seventh in the 800 meter. Tyler Thomas placed eighth in the 200 meter, while Ozark’s 800 meter relay and 1,600 meter relay both placed second and its 400 meter relay team placed sixth.
The girls were led by Isabella Antony, who won the 100 meter hurdles and placed second in the 300 meter hurdles and long jump. Clare Pohlmeier scored silver medals in the 1,600 meter and 3,200 meter, while Catherine Doke took second in the 100 meter hurdles and third in the 300 meter hurdles. Savannah Johnson took fifth in the discus while the 3,200 meter, 800 meter and 400 meter relays placed third, fourth and sixth, respectively.
In post-meet remarks to the press, OCA track coach Greg Cawein summed up the day by saying, "They ran for God today.”
