PHILLIPSBURG — Ellsworth High School Track and Field Team member Kylan Turnipseed broke her own school record in the javelin May 19 during the Regional Track and Field Meet at Phillipsburg to qualify for State.

Turnipseed threw the javelin 131,’ 6” to set a new EHS record and take third at Regionals.

“It was about an 11 foot improvement for her,” said Bearcats Track Coach Nick Rodriguez. “She has broken her own record several times this year, but this was a huge throw for Kylan.”

The Bearcats’ only other placer at Regionals was Byron Johnson, who took sixth in the 3200 meter run with a time of 10:49.59.

“He had a good race but just wasn’t able to reel in the top four leaders in his race to give him that qualifying spot,” Rodriguez said. “Byron has had probably the most consistent year of any of our boys this season, as he has raced well all year. Byron has also made the biggest jump in performance from last year to this year with his times. He had a very dedicated off season and look for more of same from him next fall and spring.”

Overall as a team, the Bearcat boys took 16th at Regionals, while the Bearcat girls team took 12th.

Rodriguez said the team had several personal best performances at Regionals but they are a young squad.

“We have been able to add some depth to both teams to really begin making some progress in being competitive with the best squads,” he said. “We have to be motivated to be more dedicated in becoming athletically better and mentally tougher. We will return a squad next year that gained some valuable experience this year.”