By John Rittenhouse
The Hills-Beaver Creek-Ellsworth track teams made there debut as a program during the Class B Version of the Dan Lennon Invitational at the Dakota Dome in Vermillion, S.D., Tuesday.
After competing against each other for years in the Tri-County Conference, H-BC and Ellsworth have joined forces in track for the first time.
Considering Tuesday's results, which featured H-BC-E racking up a combined nine top 10 performances at a meet that attracts 1,315 athletes, the sharing agreement will be a success.
"We had a great showing," said Patriot coach Tom Goehle. "All the relays at this meet had 50 or more teams, and there were between 60 to 80 kids in each running event. Considering we’ve only had a little more than one week of practice, we had a great meet."
Brad Haak came up with the top individual performance for H-BC-E. A two-time state qualifier for H-BC, Haak got off to a strong start this season by winning the 800-meter run with a time of 2:05.6.
Haak also was a member of H-BC-E's medley and 800-meter relays, which placed second and third with respective 3:50.21 and 1:39.59 times.
Chris Reed, Chris Fransman and Chris Willers ran with Haak in both relays.
Fransman and Willers came up with seventh-place performances individually.
Fransman cleared 5-10 in the high jump. Willers ran 400 meters in 55.24.
The Patriot girls secured four top 10 performances during the opening meet.
Cassi Tilstra and Janelle Jenniges came up with the top individual efforts for H-BC-E.
Tilstra finished sixth in the 400-meter dash with a time of 1:06.99. Jenniges ran 1,600 meters in 6:00.62 to place sixth.
Erin Boeve and Brittney Olson placed ninth in individual events.
Boeve covered 14-10 1/2 in the long jump. Olson ran 800 meters in 2:43.31.