In the Western North Carolina Polar Bear track and field meet held at Polk County High School on Groundhog Day (after being postponed from its original date of Jan. 27), other teams should have seen the Wolverines’ talent and scurried back to their respective burrows.

Led by the quartet of Mitchell Brown, Jacob Wolfe, Jeremy Allsbrook and Sean Doyle, who left the rest of the field far behind in the 4×800-meter relay (8:42.59), Polk County’s men’s varsity team took first place among 24 schools. The Wolverine women took third overall among 21 teams, behind only T.C. Roberson (first) and West Henderson.

In addition, Polk’s Emma Wagoner qualified for states in the long jump, placing third, while teammate Marissa Longshore placed fifth. Polk’s Tameela Brown set a personal record in the shot put. Her launch of 33 feet one inch gave her second place. Ashton Capozzi placed fourth in the shot, while her Polk teammate Maggie Silvers was ninth.

Other top Polk women finishers included: India Godlock, second in the women’s 1,600-meter run (5:50.73); Julianna Robbins, sixth in the women’s 500-meter run; Maranda Gosnell, ninth in the women’s 300-meter dash; Haley Fowler, fifth in the women’s high jump; and Anamarie Gunderson, third in women’s pole vault.

In addition, Polk’s women placed second in the 4×400-meter relay, third in the 4×800-meter relay, and sixth in the 4×200-meter relay.

Other top Polk men included: Nate Smart, second in the 500-meter run (1:11.50); Sean Doyle, second in the 1,600-meter run (4:34.34); teammate Caleb Potter was ninth; Jeremy Allsbrook, sixth in the 300-meter dash; Troy Lieberman, second in the pole vault; and Donovan Twitty, fifth in the shot put.

Polk’s men placed second in the 4×400-meter relay, and third in the 4×200-meter relay.

State competition is scheduled for Feb. 13 in Winston-Salem.