Pixley sparkles in Pointer Relays

The weather wasn’t exactly as toasty as it was earlier in the week. But for Callie Pixley, it couldn’t have been more perfect. The senior track standout helped the Pointers win the 400 meter relay with a time of 51.59 as Van Buren hosted its first Pointer Relays since 2015. Van Buren placed third overall with 77 points. “Honestly, it’s not always about winning, I just get to be with my friends, especially being at home,” Pixley said. “We’re focused but we’re having fun.” Pixley was the third leg on the team’s 400 relay team, taking the baton from Gracie Carter and handing it off to speedy Taylor Christensen. Madeline Davis had the first leg of the relay. “It felt really good for us to get first because we’ve been working really hard,” Pixley said. “We had a few wins the first few meets, then we had a few setbacks. But we really pushed today and it felt really good.” Pixley didn’t stop there. She won the 300 intermediate hurdles with a time of 46.84. She was second in the 100 (12.99). Christensen finished fifth in the 300. “The weather’s been great,” Pixley said. “I know the first two meets the high was like 44 degrees, so having these warmer meets has helped improve our times.” Van Buren senior Garrett Standifird didn’t have the meet he was hoping for Friday. But the senior thrower still managed to finish second (46-3½) in the shot put at the Pointer Relays. “I had a really bad day out there today,” Standifird said. “I was a little mad, but things happen. I’ve actually gotten over it.” Standifird nearly set a PR in the shot. “I actually set a PR that I scratched on,” he said. “I was pretty proud of it.” Standifird said he drove too hard while releasing. “I drove too hard in the back and I didn’t get enough lift on it in the front,” he said. “I got it right over 50 and my left foot touched the end of the plate.” The Pointers finished tied for Springdale for fourth place.

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PIXLEY SPARKLES IN POINTER RELAYS

KEVIN TAYLOR

Times Record | 4/13/2019

PHOTO CREDIT: Jamie Mitchell