Track record board donated to new gym

Several members of the Eureka County High School administration showed up to accept a new record board for the new gym. The first-ever high school track record board was recently donated to the school through private donations from Laurel Marshall and Cashman Equipment.

“Eureka has a great history of track accomplishments and those individuals are brave enough to go out there and compete individually so their achievements need to be acknowledged and remembered,” Marshall said. “And I am proud of the kids.”

The board includes records from 1969, being the oldest, to several records held by three current ECHS students. The oldest record was set by Clark Thiriot in 1969 for the 800 meter at 2:05.60. Thiriot also holds the record for the mile at 4:32.40, set in 1970, which is still a NCAA Division IV record.

The current student record holders are Megan Damele for the 200 and 400 meters with a time of 26.68 and 1:02.10, respectively, Katie Damele for the 800, 1600 and 3200 meters with times of 2:42.97, 6:07, and 13:34.1, respectively, and Gracie Damele for the 300 meter hurdles at 51.37.

“This is a nice board, representing a bunch of great kids,” said long-time coach Grant Crutchley.

Crutchley, who coached track from 1970 into the 2000’s, was instrumental in providing much of the information used on the board.

Sophomore Katie Damele and her father Mark Damele are the only parent-student record holders on the board each holding the 800 meter title.

“I don’t know that I could beat his time, (11:27.0 set in 1982), but if I race him now, then I’ll beat him,” she joked.