Kankakee Valley High School

Girls' Track and Field: Congratulations to senior pole vaulter Haylee Hass, who was 6th at yesterday's Hoosier State Relays (HSR) Championships, aka indoor state meet, with an outstanding clutch jump of 10-9, tying her own SCHOOL RECORD; and to junior 3200 meter runner Krista Sytsma who ran a sensational 10:40.55, good for 8th place, breaking her own SCHOOL RECORD, by roughly 18 seconds! Both standouts earned All-State honors and medals at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, Fall Creek Pavilion. More details in the following paragraphs... Hass, under the expert pole vault tutelage of dad/coach, Coach Dave Hass, once again demonstrated tremendous mental toughness, to go along with her immense talent! With starting height at a brutal 10-3, Hass never flinched, sailing over on her first attempt, setting her up for a terrific result. At 10-9, she cleared on her clutch second attempt, to all but seal a podium finish, and tie her lifetime personal record, (PR), and her own school record, (SR). Three good attempts at 11-0 would leave her placing a very impressive 6th place! Shortly after, Sytsma took center stage in the 3200, and she also had a sensational performance, going out in the first 1600 in a very fast 5:14.0, and finishing very strong to grab the 8th place medal in a new PR and SR , a blistering 10:40.55, shattering those previous marks of hers by roughly 18 seconds, as the KV camp cheered her on through her 16 laps ! These two indoor state meet medals are believed to be the first ones in girls' track and field history in the pole vault and 3200. One of the coolest things was how both teammates, and their family and friends, cheered them on during their events, something the Lady Kougars have been known for through the years. Thank you to all who made the extra effort to go to Indy and support Haylee and Krista, just qualifying for a state meet is a big deal, to medal is phenomenal ! Go Kougs!