Tigers compete in Girard, McHugh sets 200-meter dash school record

GIRARD, Kan. —Fresh off his gold medal performance in the 400-meter dash at the prestigious Kansas Relays, Nevada High School senior Devin McHugh has added to his medal haul, breaking the school record in the 200-meter dash at Friday's Girard Invitational.

McHugh's record-setting time off 22.19 broke the previous school record in the 200, which stood for 30 years.

McHugh's feats didn't stop there, as he also captured gold in the 400-meter dash — clocking a 49.64.

Another school record fell via Trey Beachler's 156-foot gold medal javelin heave. Nevada Lady Tiger Hailee Lundine also set a school record in the javelin, en route to a fourth-place finish.

In addition, NHS junior Calli Beshore collected golds in the 1,600-meter run (5:20) and 3,200 meter run — and freshman Claire Pritchett in the shot put (40.7 feet).

Other top finishers for Nevada, included:

• Sydney Ernsbarger second-place, 400-meter dash

• Kayden Ast, second-place, long jump

• Lilly Hart, fourth-place, long jump

• Dylan Beachler, fifth-place, pole vault

• Ben Hines, sixth-place, triple jump

• Girls' 4x400 meter relay: Jade Feller, Brooklyn Kutina-Smith, Sydney Ernsbarger, Kaeth Zachary — sixth-place

• Girls' 4x800 meter relay: Jade Feller, Bailey Ast, Brooklyn Kutina-Smith, Grace Barnes — sixth-place

On the girls' side, Carthage captured gold. Pittsburg (Kan.) placed second, while Nevada finished in fourth.

On the boys' side, Carthage made it a clean-sweep claimed the team gold at the 15-school event, while Girard slotted into the runner-up finish. Nevada placed seventh.

"I was really excited with how we competed," said Nevada head coach, Ryan Watts. "We are getting to the point in the season where we should start to see times and distances getting better, and PR's (personal records) should start happening.

"And that's exactly what we saw (here). A great many of us posted season best marks, and did very well at a high-quality meet."

Added Watts: "I was pleased to see how we competed as a team, especially considering we had quite a few key team members out — for state music, illness and a couple other things.

"With key members out, we were unable to run any boys' relays, and that was disappointing. But, we did well with who we brought — and it was a great experience for us."

Watts discussed McHugh's virtuoso performance, which included the pair of runaway golds.

"Devin had a fantastic day, and continues to run strong and consistent, and that is a great thing to see going into the championship season," began Watts. "With prelims and finals coming up, being consistent will be very critical for him."

Beshore, a top-flight distance runner, continued her run of excellence.

"Calli had an awesome day, running away with both the mile, and the two mile (events), and with season best times," Watts said."

Watts also lauded his field athletes. "The throwers all had great days, with nearly all throwing season-bests," he said, noting that Beachler and Lundine broke school records in the javelin they had previously set.

"Claire had a PR to win the shot put, Kayden got back over 21-feet in the long jump, and Sydney is running very strong in the 400. All-in-all," he said. "We had a very strong showing, as we gear up for the (upcoming) Big 8 Conference meet."