Imbler junior Mason Slippy threw both the shot put and was the leadoff for the Panthers in the 4-by-100 relay on April 19, 2024, at the Don Walker Invitational in Nyssa.

NYSSA — Joining 22 teams from both Idaho and Oregon, the track and field teams representing Powder Valley and Imbler were on the bus to Nyssa on Friday, April 19, for the Don Walker Invitational.

In the team standings, the Badger girls placed highest among the local squads, finishing sixth in the team totals with 45 points.

Senior Ayla Bingham led the team, placing second in the long jump event with a measurement of 18 feet, 8.75 inches. Bingham also added a fifth-place showing in the 800 meters.

Sophomore Sky Nesser put up a pair of third-place showings in the 100 and 200, setting a season best time in both for herself. Freshman Kyla Richardson grabbed third place in the high jump after clearing 4 feet, 6 inches, her best ever in a young career.

The Imbler girls compiled eight points for the day, finishing 17th in the team scoring. Senior Austyn Turner accounted for a majority of the points, placing second in the 300 hurdles with a time of 49.42 seconds, her best ever time in the event.

On the boys side, Powder Valley managed a top-10 finish in Nyssa, placing 10th with 27 points. Leading the charge was an individual championship by junior Adam Gordon, beating the rest of the field in the 1,500 with a season best time of 4:15.05. Gordon backed up the top showing with placing third in the 3,000.

Freshman Ayden Lucas had the best day of his career, setting personal bests in two events. Placing fourth in the 800, Lucas had a time of 2:11.69. In the 400, the freshman placed sixth after crossing the line in 55.61 seconds.

The Badgers left Nyssa tied with Harper Charter in 17th after a three-point total. Caleb Kerns was the standout for Powder Valley, placing sixth in the discus with a personal best distance of 113-3.