Dayville sophomore Cody Gibson tosses the javelin at Three Flags Field at Grant Union High School on April 3. The small schools invitational drew teams from throughout the county. The Eagle/Tina Cook

JOHN DAY – Dayville Track Head Coach Skip Inscore was clear about his goal for his five-person track team April 3 at the Grant Union Small Schools Invitational.

“Our goal,” said Inscore, “is to have fun.”

Inscore brought a shot-putter who had never competed in any track event. His top athlete has shin splits and stress fractures in both her legs. And Inscore’s right-handed javelin thrower has a torn rotator cuff – in his right shoulder.

But the Dayville Tigers did more than have fun. They competed well.

Junior Tess Jonesburg heaved the shot put almost 20 feet. Her goal was to finish in the top 20 of the field and she finished 21st.

“It was a lot of fun,” said Jonesburg of her initial track competition. “I just wanted to get it out there. My goal now is to finish in the top 10 for this area by the end of the season.”

Junior Elizabeth Inscore, despite her leg injuries, threw the javelin over 72 feet, placing seventh out of 23 participants.

Coach Inscore was encouraged by that toss. “Hopefully she’ll break the high 90s as the season progresses,” he said.

And never mind his debilitating shoulder injury, sophomore Cody Gibson tossed the javelin 84-7 1/2 inches to finish 18th out of 25 participants.

“I was very pleased,” Inscore said. “Cody is a competitor. He works hard.”

“For my first time out this year, it’s fine,” said Gibson. “But I thought I could do better. My goal was 90 feet.”

After his team’s overall inspiring performance, Inscore upped the ante. “Now, we’re gonna just keep getting better,” he said.

Dayville’s next event is April 14 at Condon.