Central, Warsaw Battle For Sectional Title Tonight
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
In late March Warsaw track and field coach Troy Akers said the Tigers, who were 19-0 over the last two years, did not have "superior athletes" this year and could not expect to just "show up and win."
Now it's mid-May, but little has changed this year. Warsaw's boys track and field team posted an 8-0 record this season and finished 37 points ahead of second place in the Northern Lakes Conference Tournament. The Tigers won the NLC title for the third straight year and have won 27 meets in a row dating back to 1997.
Akers stands behind his comments and insists he was not intentionally trying to motivate his team through the newspaper.
But he may have anyway.
"I really think this team had to work harder," he said. "When I made that comment about the talent we had this year, I don't know if I pushed them or made them mad or what."
Akers will take the results.
The Tigers go for their second sectional title in three years in tonight's meet at Concord. Warsaw and Elkhart Memorial tied for the championship two years ago, and Elkhart Central won the title last year.
Two teams - Warsaw and Elkhart Memorial - are ranked in the top 20 entering the 11-team sectional meet. Warsaw is No. 15 and Elkhart Memorial No. 20.
But Akers says to look out for an unranked team.
"Central is the favorite," Akers said. "Based on the seeds, they have to be considered the favorite. Memorial and Warsaw are playing catch-up.
"On the track, Central has kids who can score in a lot of areas. They have good relay teams and the best sprinters. In field events their depth may not be as good as ours, but they have high seeds in the field events. Memorial is seeded high on the track, but their weakness may be in field events."
Akers claims he wasn't trying to downplay or motivate his team in the papers at the beginning of the season, but now you have to wonder after the sectional comments - Warsaw and Elkhart Central competed in the Max Truex Invitational two weeks ago, and Warsaw won and finished 25 points ahead of third-place Central, the team Akers says is the one to beat.
Told Akers says Elkhart Central is favored, that's news to Elkhart Central coach Tom Kurth, who laughs.
"Tell Troy he knows better than to say that," Kurth said. "Warsaw has to be the favorite.
"We competed this year without 10 athletes we were counting on who didn't come out for various reasons. Our kids have come through better than we thought they would."
At the same time, Elkhart Central finished 8-0 this season and has won the sectional 10 out of the last 12 years.
"I think the meet will come down between Warsaw and us," Kurth said. "I don't think Elkhart Memorial has the individual star strength to get up there. It will come down to how the other schools cut us up."
Field events earned Warsaw major points this season, and Akers doesn't see this changing in the sectional.
Zach Scheetz went through the conference undefeated in the pole vault and has topped out at 14 feet, 4 inches, two inches higher than the state qualification height. Aaron Chabot, who finished first more often than not in the long jump, has recorded a distance of 21-7 1/2.
Jake Fitzsimmons, who has jumped 6-3, has won the majority of high jump competitions. Discus thrower Jarod Leasure has lost one time this year and has recorded a distance of 160-9, nearly three feet better than the state qualification of 158 feet.
"I don't want to put too much pressure on our field events, but they have carried us and they will have to continue to do the job," Akers said. "Our hurdlers have been running well, and we are continuing to count on them to score points."
One key hurdler - sophomore Ryan Hill - will miss the meet. Hill, seeded second in the 300 hurdles, pulled a hamstring. Cory Hill, his freshman brother, will replace him.
"A big key to our success has been we have had no injuries all year," Akers said, "until Hill."
The meet originally was supposed to be held in Goshen, but after coaches questioned the condition and safety of the track, officials moved the meet to Concord. The meet starts at 5 p.m.
Warsaw posted an 8-0 record. The Tigers won the NLC. Now they hope to add a sectional title. Whether it was because of talent or hard work, the Tigers are in the same position they have been in the last two years - undefeated in the regular season.
"Out of the boys teams I've had here, this has been the most rewarding season because of their work ethic," Akers said. "I have six seniors who have been excellent role models - Aaron Chabot, Jake Fitzsimmons, Zach Scheetz, Greg Seiss, Jason Sibray and Nate Ridderman. It helps that they have been on strong teams the last two years."
CONCORD SECTIONAL
5 p.m. today at Concord
Competing teams -ÊNorthWood, Warsaw, Wawasee, Concord, Elkhart Central, Elkhart Memorial, Fairfield, Goshen, Howe Military, Jimtown, Northridge
PLYMOUTH SECTIONAL
5:30 p.m. today at Plymouth
Competing teams -ÊManchester, Tippecanoe Valley, Triton, Whitko, Argos, Rochester, Caston, Northfield, Culver Community, Oregon-Davis, Culver Military Academy, Plymouth [[In-content Ad]]
In late March Warsaw track and field coach Troy Akers said the Tigers, who were 19-0 over the last two years, did not have "superior athletes" this year and could not expect to just "show up and win."
Now it's mid-May, but little has changed this year. Warsaw's boys track and field team posted an 8-0 record this season and finished 37 points ahead of second place in the Northern Lakes Conference Tournament. The Tigers won the NLC title for the third straight year and have won 27 meets in a row dating back to 1997.
Akers stands behind his comments and insists he was not intentionally trying to motivate his team through the newspaper.
But he may have anyway.
"I really think this team had to work harder," he said. "When I made that comment about the talent we had this year, I don't know if I pushed them or made them mad or what."
Akers will take the results.
The Tigers go for their second sectional title in three years in tonight's meet at Concord. Warsaw and Elkhart Memorial tied for the championship two years ago, and Elkhart Central won the title last year.
Two teams - Warsaw and Elkhart Memorial - are ranked in the top 20 entering the 11-team sectional meet. Warsaw is No. 15 and Elkhart Memorial No. 20.
But Akers says to look out for an unranked team.
"Central is the favorite," Akers said. "Based on the seeds, they have to be considered the favorite. Memorial and Warsaw are playing catch-up.
"On the track, Central has kids who can score in a lot of areas. They have good relay teams and the best sprinters. In field events their depth may not be as good as ours, but they have high seeds in the field events. Memorial is seeded high on the track, but their weakness may be in field events."
Akers claims he wasn't trying to downplay or motivate his team in the papers at the beginning of the season, but now you have to wonder after the sectional comments - Warsaw and Elkhart Central competed in the Max Truex Invitational two weeks ago, and Warsaw won and finished 25 points ahead of third-place Central, the team Akers says is the one to beat.
Told Akers says Elkhart Central is favored, that's news to Elkhart Central coach Tom Kurth, who laughs.
"Tell Troy he knows better than to say that," Kurth said. "Warsaw has to be the favorite.
"We competed this year without 10 athletes we were counting on who didn't come out for various reasons. Our kids have come through better than we thought they would."
At the same time, Elkhart Central finished 8-0 this season and has won the sectional 10 out of the last 12 years.
"I think the meet will come down between Warsaw and us," Kurth said. "I don't think Elkhart Memorial has the individual star strength to get up there. It will come down to how the other schools cut us up."
Field events earned Warsaw major points this season, and Akers doesn't see this changing in the sectional.
Zach Scheetz went through the conference undefeated in the pole vault and has topped out at 14 feet, 4 inches, two inches higher than the state qualification height. Aaron Chabot, who finished first more often than not in the long jump, has recorded a distance of 21-7 1/2.
Jake Fitzsimmons, who has jumped 6-3, has won the majority of high jump competitions. Discus thrower Jarod Leasure has lost one time this year and has recorded a distance of 160-9, nearly three feet better than the state qualification of 158 feet.
"I don't want to put too much pressure on our field events, but they have carried us and they will have to continue to do the job," Akers said. "Our hurdlers have been running well, and we are continuing to count on them to score points."
One key hurdler - sophomore Ryan Hill - will miss the meet. Hill, seeded second in the 300 hurdles, pulled a hamstring. Cory Hill, his freshman brother, will replace him.
"A big key to our success has been we have had no injuries all year," Akers said, "until Hill."
The meet originally was supposed to be held in Goshen, but after coaches questioned the condition and safety of the track, officials moved the meet to Concord. The meet starts at 5 p.m.
Warsaw posted an 8-0 record. The Tigers won the NLC. Now they hope to add a sectional title. Whether it was because of talent or hard work, the Tigers are in the same position they have been in the last two years - undefeated in the regular season.
"Out of the boys teams I've had here, this has been the most rewarding season because of their work ethic," Akers said. "I have six seniors who have been excellent role models - Aaron Chabot, Jake Fitzsimmons, Zach Scheetz, Greg Seiss, Jason Sibray and Nate Ridderman. It helps that they have been on strong teams the last two years."
CONCORD SECTIONAL
5 p.m. today at Concord
Competing teams -ÊNorthWood, Warsaw, Wawasee, Concord, Elkhart Central, Elkhart Memorial, Fairfield, Goshen, Howe Military, Jimtown, Northridge
PLYMOUTH SECTIONAL
5:30 p.m. today at Plymouth
Competing teams -ÊManchester, Tippecanoe Valley, Triton, Whitko, Argos, Rochester, Caston, Northfield, Culver Community, Oregon-Davis, Culver Military Academy, Plymouth [[In-content Ad]]