The Big Horn Rams flew ahead of the competition at state, claiming the 2A championship to take the No. 1 spot and claim the hardware in exemplary fashion. Their triumphant victory – secured by their thrilling 1,600-meter relay race – delighted the community members cheering them on from Bird Farm Road to Highway 335, as Owen Petty, Caleb Gibson, Ethan Alliot and Gabe Schons trumped their nearest rival competitor by a 7.5-point margin to set a new record for team performance.
The Big Horn Rams were triumphant as they made their way back to the domain. The journey was filled with fanfare, as a police escort led the bus from Meade Creek to Bird Farm Road and Highway 335. Community members lined the streets to cheer on the team that had just won the 2A state title at Kelly Welsh High School. After two days of competition, the Rams emerged victorious, proudly claiming the No. 1 spot and the championship hardware.
The nail-biting 1,600-meter relay race was the last event of the weekend – and it was a close one. With a narrow 7.5-point lead over Burns, Owen Petty, Caleb Gibson, Ethan Alliot and Gabe Schons ran their hearts out to secure third place and win the title for their team. Head Coach Kirk McLaughlin had faith in his athletes and his pre-race pep talk certainly paid off!
Their record-breaking time of 3 minutes, 31.83 seconds was the result of a strong performance by the entire team. Caleb Gibson’s experience in other sports set him up for success, as he was feeling confident and ready to take on the challenge. McLaughlin couldn’t have been prouder of his athletes who never gave up and ultimately came out on top.
Gavin Stafford stood out amongst the group, taking home the gold medal with a time of 11.16 seconds, barely edging out second place. Not to be overshadowed, Cooper Garber showed his strength and determination, placing second twice in the throwing events to score 16 points. It was an incredible feat by these athletes that will not soon be forgotten.
The Big Horn Rams boys track and field team proudly clinched their first championship since 2019, adding to the two state championships already won in 2021 and 2022. The incredible success of the football team has translated to the track with impressive feats by the athletes and coaches alike. Gavin Stafford, an exemplary athlete, took home the gold medal with a time of 11.16 seconds, while Cooper Garber scored 16 points with his impressive second place finishes in the throwing events. It was a remarkable achievement by the Big Horn Rams that perfectly encapsulates their hard work and determination. The coaches should be applauded for their dedication to the team and the amazing results they have produced.
Gibson proudly proclaimed that Big Horn had an unbeatable culture, stating that the coaches had done an outstanding job in preparing them for success.
The Big Horn Rams demonstrated what it means to never give up when they claimed the 2A state title. From start to finish, their dedication and hard work drove them to success in each event, and the 1,600-meter relay sealed the deal. Their inspiring performance was the result of a remarkable group of athletes, believing that anything is possible with a strong leader and team mindset. The students, coaches, and community have much to celebrate on their triumphant return home.
