Nevada High track-and-field shines at Pitt State/Jocks Nitch relays

Nevada High School product Devin McHugh continued his electric season on the track, in Pittsburg, Kansas on Friday.

Matt Resnick | Daily Mail

Nevada High School’s track-and-field team notched a strong showing at the 30th annual Jock’s Nitch/PSU Gorilla Relays — Friday at Prentice Gudgen Track on the campus of Pittsburg State University.

Standout performances for Nevada included, senior Devin McHugh’s first-place finish in the 400-meter dash, junior Calli Beshore’s third and fourth-place finishes in the 1600 and 3200-meter runs, and freshman Claire Pritchett’s sixth-place showing in the Shot Put.

“This meet, which has always been tough, may be the toughest it’s ever been,” said Nevada head coach, Ryan Watts. “Multiple meet records were broke, as the 53-team (field) had some of the best talent in the four-states area. We had a great night across the board, with some fantastic top-end performances.”

Watts added that McHugh and Beshore’s performances were particularly noteworthy, as only the top three in each event medaled.

“In a meet this size, bringing home any medal is a great achievement,” he said. “And, not that we put a big focus on medals, but (it’s) a reassurance that we are getting better, and can compete with anyone.”

Watts said his squad stepped up at the “enormous” meet.

“There was definitely some nerves we had to overcome,” he said. “We did a great job of regulating our emotions, and putting forth great efforts — after what was one of our toughest weeks of practice yet.”

Said Watts of Beshore’s third-place showing in the 3200-meter run: “It was her first time racing at that distance this season. And for her to perform that well, was very exciting.”

Watts discussed McHugh’s top-flight performances.

“Devin continues to amaze,” Watts said, adding that his star pupil clocked a personal best (48.67) en route to a first-place finish in the 400-meter dash.

Putting the icing on the cake, McHugh’s 400-time was the fastest in Missouri Class 4 this season, according to Watts.

“Being an overall champion at this kind of meet is a great achievement,” noted Watts.

Added Watts: “We had many athletes approach their season best performances, which is a testament to their effort and will to compete (after) being sore from a very tough week of practice.”

NHS top results

— Boys: 13th-place overall —

• Devin McHugh, first-place, 400-meter dash; seventh-place, 200-meter dash.

• Trey Beachler, 14th-place, Javelin.

• Kaden Ast, 16th-place, Long Jump.

• 4-by-200 meter relay: Kaden Denny, Devin McHugh, Colin Witte, Matt Thorpe — seventh-place.

• 4-by-400 meter relay Kaden Denny, Devin McHugh, Noah Beshore, Will Johnson — seventh-place.

— NHS Girls: 19th-place overall —

Nevada High School’s, Calli Beshore.

Matt Resnick | Daily Mail

• Calli Beshore, third-place, 3200-meter run; fourth-place, 1600-meter run.

• Claire Pritchett, sixth-place, Shot Put.

• Hailee Lundine, 13th-place, Javelin.

• Lilly Hart, 17th-place, Long Jump.

• 4x400 meter relay: Jade Feller, Sydney Ernsbarger, Brooklyn Kutina-Smith, Bailey Ast — 14th-place.

• 4-by-200 meter relay: Zoie Farmer, Sydney Ernsbarger, Brooklyn Kutina-Smith, Kaeth Zachary — 15th-place.

Top team finishes: Broken Arrow, boys champion; Tulsa Union, runner-up. Ozark, girls champion; Owasso, runner-up.

“We continue to grow and evolve as athletes, and are heading in a very exciting and positive direction,” summed up Watts. “We know, that if we can compete well against so many quality programs and schools bigger than us — when it’s time to compete in the district championships, we will be ready.”

UP NEXT

Thursday’s Fort Scott (Kan.) High School relays, and Friday’s 92nd annual KU Relays ­ in Lawrence, Kansas.