IRONWOOD — Violet Amos found success here Saturday, earning two victories in the inaugural Jim LaBlonde Memorial Invitational track and field meet.

The Ontonagon sophomore won the 200-meter dash in 28.26 seconds and 400 (1:02.03) and took second on a lean to Hurley, Wis. senior Jaana Aukee in the 100 (13.65) on this sunny and mild afternoon.

“I’ve been in the 27s in the 200,” she said. “This being a little smaller track (350 meters) was probably a factor because the curves are a little tighter. I prefer to run a 400-meter track, although I like the running surface and competition. It’s always fun to come here. Our track is getting resurfaced. I’m looking forward to running on it the next couple years.”

Ironwood ran away with top honors by scoring 126 points. The Red Devils were followed by Hurley 43, Ontonagon 37 and Watersmeet 13.

The Ironwood boys also won with 100 points, followed by Hurley 84, Ontonagon 32 and Watersmeet 7.

“We didn’t have everybody here,” Ontonagon coach Brian Amos said. “We had to do some things a little different, but still did okay.”

Freshman Jenna Tarnowski added a first for the Gladiators in the 100 hurdles at 20.43 seconds.

Ironwood freshman Emma Wardon swept the weight events, taking shot put at 32 feet, 11 inches and discus (87-0).

“Emma does a nice job for us,” Ironwood coach Cecilia Aho said. “This is her first year doing disc and she has been working hard in both events. She has the motivation to get it done. This is a very tired group. This was our fourth meet in eight days, but they got it done. Our boys are a very small group and the girls have a little more depth.”

The 1600 consisted of four Ironwood runners, led by junior Aubrey Smith (5:55.69) who also won the 300 hurdles (52.43). Tarnowski was runner-up in the hurdle race (58.68).

“It was nice to know everyone there because you know how everybody runs,” she said. “I just started running hurdles since I’ve been in high school. It’s a tough race, but doing cross country in the fall helps my endurance.”

Watersmeet junior Thomas Caron captured the boys’ 400 in 54.06 seconds, five days after setting the school record (52.31) while placing second in the Welker Invitational at Ashland, Wis.

“I strained my hamstring on Monday,” he said. “It was a little windy up by the big lake (Superior) and there were a lot of good runners up there. I’m probably about 80-90% right now, but I thought everything went alright today.”

Aukee was Hurley’s leader, winning high jump at 4-8 and placing second in the 200 (29.08). Ontonagon junior Abi Pestka was runner-up (56.32) and eighth-grader Brody Majurin placed third (56.86).

“Caron put some good stuff down and our boys were right behind him,” coach Amos said.

“It was nice to also get down here for the Kraemer (April 29). Ironwood runs a nice meet and we get a chance to see Hurley. It’s always nice to run against somebody different.”

Up Next

The Gladiators, who ran in Monday’s Copper Country Invitational at Houghton, visit Lake Linden-Hubbell for Thursday’s Division 3 regional at 3 p.m.