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Photo by John Wagner

Photo by John Wagner

Logan Schiler had never attempted the triple jump — he’d merely watched some Olympics footage of the event.

The Delta Junction senior, however, outleaped favored Charles King of Eielson to claim the Region VI Track and Field Class 1A-2A-3A triple jump championship Friday afternoon at Lathrop High School.

“Coordination really helps,” Schiler, who won with a jump of 38 feet, 2 inches, said. “I just watched a couple people (on video) do it. I’ve never practiced it. I just kind of came out and did it.”

Delta coach Mike Pelto entered Schiler in the triple jump because he saw an opportunity to score extra points for the Huskies. The meet’s large school (Class 4A) and small school (3A) participants are competing for separate region championships for the first time.

“I just needed to spread the points out, so I figured I’d give him a try, and it worked,” Pelto said.

What’s more, due to a sore throat and extreme winds in Delta, Schiler didn’t practice at all this week. Not that Pelto was overly surprised by Schiler’s performance, which included a victory in the 3A high jump (5-10).

“He’s so coachable,” Pelto said. “He’s just a natural athlete.”

Despite his talents, Schiler is competing in his first season of track and field for the Huskies. By living at Birch Lake halfway between Eielson and Delta Junction, Schiler can attend either school. He went to Eielson for two years, then switched to Delta to enroll in vocational construction classes there. Schiler opted to play baseball his junior season before joining Delta’s 19-member track team this spring.

Schiler, a favorite in today’s 100- and 300-meter 3A hurdles, has a good chance to become a four-event region champ, and is helping offset the loss of Sam Tappen, Delta’s top point-getter last season.

“I don’t know if I’ve quite matched him, but I’m trying,” Schiler said.

By virtue of his victories, Schiler clinched triple jump and high jump berths in next weekend’s state championships, also at Lathrop and also featuring a new and separate 1A-2A-3A classification. The winners from each of this weekend’s four regionals plus the next best four results statewide qualifies for the small schools championships.

That means Eielson’s King, who was hampered by shin splints and finished second in the triple jump and third in the high jump, may miss the cut.

“I’m kind of disappointed because I did a lot better than that last week,” King said of his triple jump effort of 35-3 3/4.

The consensus among coaches and athletes, though, is that they like the new formats for the Region VI meet and state championships.

“I think it’s great. It gives kids a chance as a team as well as individuals,” Chad Comeau, Monroe Catholic’s first-year coach, said.

The change also creates extra incentive because 3A athletes who in the past have finished way behind their 4A counterparts are now in the running for point-scoring positions.

“It makes it more competitive for the kids, plus it makes them try different events,” Comeau said.

Two athletes from Hutchison — Kim Wilson, with five Region VI best marks this season, and Anna Johnson, with two — are among the few from 3A who are extremely competitive statewide. And now they’ll get a realistic shot at a state team title.

“I like it. It gives us (Hutchison) more of a chance, so that’s good,” said Johnson, who won the high jump by clearing 4-10, the same as Lathrop’s Shelby McIntyre, the 4A winner.

Wilson sailed 34-1 1/2 to handily win the triple jump.

Wilson and Johnson helped Hutchison to a commanding lead in the girls standings, with the Hawks scoring 28 points to outpoint Eielson (8), Monroe Catholic (6) and Delta (3).

In the boys standings, Eielson (24) held a slim advantage over Delta (22) followed by Hutchison (9) and Monroe (8). The meet continues today with field events and 9 a.m. and track events beginning at 10 a.m.

In the 3,200-meter run, Eielson’s Ethan Kazmierczak made a late charge to overtake Hutchison’s Blake Hughes and win in 10:59.51, while Monroe’s Nicole Schreder (12:58.39) was the only 3A participant and thus automatic qualifier.

A few events (like the high jump and girls 3,200-meter run) had 4A schools and 3A schools competing together, though separate winners were still crowned.

In the girls discus, Stasia Rohn of Hutchison uncorked a throw of 82 feet, more than 10 feet farther than she’d managed all season.

“I don’t know where it came from. I really don’t,” Rohn said. “Just a lot of practicing.”

Kevin Rima wished the shot put competition had also included the 13 throwers from 4A.

“It was nice but there was less competition. It’s kind of fun with more people in it,” said Rima, who nonetheless was elated that his heave of 41-5 3/4 qualified him for the state meet.