Softball beats Kodiak but fails to advance at state

By Dayten Van Ostrand
Special to the Homer Independent Press

Molly Evans, Boomchain Loucks and Taylor Eddington receiving special awards. (Photo courtesy of Ginny Evans.)

Homer softball and track teams competed in some of the state’s biggest competitions last weekend. Softball finished fourth at the state tournament in Fairbanks, and the track team sent seven athletes to the annual Brian Young Invite at Colony High School in Palmer.

The Homer softball team defeated Kodiak 14-7 in the quarterfinals to go on to play Delta in the semi-finals. They lost 15-9 and dropped down to beat Soldotna 8-3 in the first consolation round. That moved them onto the second consolation round where they lost to Palmer 14-6. This put them into fourth place overall.

Seven athletes from the Homer track team competed at the Brian Young Invite. The meet brings together the top athletes from all across the state to compete against each other and get qualifying marks for the Nike Outdoor Nationals meet held at Hayward Field at the University of Oregon later this year.

The Homer athletes consisted of Johannes Bynagle, Tait Ostrom, Etta Bynagle, Molly Evans, Reilly Sue Baker, Jaelynn Kennon and Dayten Van Ostrand.

Molly Evans received the sportsmanship award of the meet. She showed leadership, kindness and compassion towards other athletes. 

Johannes Bynagle placed second in the 800m and 1600m run and fifth in the shot put. Tait Ostrom placed fifth in the 110m hurdles, and was the only competitor in the 400m hurdles. He is the first athlete to compete in the 400m hurdles at the Brian Young Invite.

Etta Bynagle placed fourth in the 1600m run, and seventh in the 800m run. Molly Evans placed third in the 100m dash, and fourth in the 200m dash. Reilly Sue Baker placed sixth in the high jump and triple jump, and fifth in the long jump. Jaelynn Kennon placed second in the long jump and third in the high jump. Dayten Van Ostrand placed fourth in shot put and discus.