Lady Tigers Win Another Track Sectional Title
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Anthony [email protected]
Hosting the 12-team sectional, the Lady Tigers breezed to their seventh-straight championship, racking up 178 points, while Northridge was a distant-second with 85.
Winning eight of the 16 events, the Lady Tigers will be represented in 15 events at next week’s regional, which will be back at Warsaw, as the top four finishers in each event advance.
“The last seven years, we’ve had some really deep, talented teams,” Warsaw coach Scott Erba said. “Tonight, the only event we didn’t get someone out in was shot put, which was relatively close, with (sophomore) Brooklyn Harrison finishing sixth. We’ve never had that many events at regional. My hat’s off to the young ladies for preparing to compete to be in the those top four spots. That’s a big deal.”
Warsaw’s top performer of the night was junior Ann Harvuot, who won the 100 (12.61 seconds), 200 (25.96) and anchored the winning 400 relay (49.91) of freshman Samantha Alexander, senior Brittney Rhodes and sophomore Mariah Harter.
The sectional title in the 100 was Harvuot’s third in a row and the 200 victory was the second-straight time she’d done that, and she’s beginning to get more and more comfortable with the longer sprint.
“I used to think I was strongest in the 100, but recently, I’ve been thinking I’m better in the 200, because my times in the 200 have improved a lot, while my 100 has kind of stayed the same,” she said.
According to Erba, Harvuot’s always had the speed to win, but she’s learning when to turn it on and when to cool it.
“Now, you see her in the time trials and she just has it in cruise control, knowing she’s going to make it (to the finals) – conserving as much energy as possible,” he said. “That’s something she’s learned. When she was younger, she was going crazy in the trials, because she didn’t understand about conservation of energy. That’s a big maturation on her part, knowing, ‘Hey, it doesn’t matter what time I run or if somebody beats me in trials. It’s about making it to the finals.’”
An example of that was in the 200.
During the 200 trials, Elkhart Central senior Jametria Culbreath ran the fastest in 26.72, while Harvuot was sixth in 27.62.
In the finals, Harvuot turned the speed up, winning in 25.96, while Culbreath was fourth in 27.26.
While winning the sprints is fun, Harvuot made it clear that she enjoys the relay, where she can help three other girls advance as well.
“Anchoring the relay is really fun,” she said. “I really love the relay. It’s probably my favorite event. I have the choice of going first or fourth, and I chose fourth, partly because I’m terrible at starts, plus I’m better at receiving handoffs. But, also, I love crossing the finish line.”
Harvuot’s wins were a bit expected, but senior Jamie Lacheta’s victory in the high jump wasn’t as much of a given.
Finishing ninth at last year’s sectional, clearing 4-8, Lacheta backed up last week’s NLC title leap of 5-3, by claiming the sectional title with a 5-4 clearance.
“Last year, I didn’t jump what I could have jumped and it frustrated me so much,” Lacheta said. “This year, I told myself that I was going to make regionals. As soon as (assistant coach Jo) Hickerson told me I was in top four and going to regionals, all the pressure was off and I just jumped.”
A star on the Warsaw volleyball team, Lacheta will be playing Division I volleyball at Valparaiso University next year.
And even though she’s shown to have talent in both sports, juggling the two has been difficult.
“We’ve really been trying to even out her volleyball and her track,” Erba said. “I think we’re doing a better job of keeping her legs fresh, instead of hammering her here and practice then she goes off to play high-level volleyball two or three times a week.”
That balance has resulted in a trip to regionals for Lacheta, who’s senior year has been one to remember.
“Incredible doesn’t even describe it,” she said.
Sophomore Tennie Worrell earned her second-straight sectional crown in the 400, winning in 1:00.05, while senior Sarah Ray posted a victory in the 3200, winning in 11:13.34.
Ray had also hoped to win the 1600, having claimed that title a week ago at the NLC meet, but Northridge junior Olivia Golden squashed that goal.
A week after losing to Ray by just under 18 seconds, Golden ran her sectional 1600 nearly 17 seconds faster than the previous week, getting the win in 5:07.46, while Ray finished in 5:08.49.
“I talk to the girls about trying to win, but also, trying to accept losing,” Erba said. “That’s a tough line sometimes. You don’t want someone going, ‘Oh well, it doesn’t matter.’ But it was good to have her come back and admit that was disappointing, but there was another race. She was not caught up with that one loss so she wouldn’t perform well in the next one.”
A downer for the Lady Tigers may have been in the 1600 relay, where sophomore Megan Kratzsch wasn’t able to compete after irritating her hamstring during her third-place finish in the 400.
With freshman Hannah Dawson running in her place, the 1600 relay of sophomore Nicole Eckert, junior Jackie Ferguson and Worrell were less than a second slower than their NLC winning time, but Concord had sophomore Ciana Bonfiglio available and running the event this week, which was enough to get the victory.
“I think that was a great test for us, knowing those weren’t our top four girls out there,” Erba said about the 1600 relay. “We had a great fill-in with Hannah. She did what she needed to do and showed how big she is as an alternate, but to have Megan back in the mix next week will be great.”
Other Warsaw girls to claim sectional titles Tuesday were Ferguson in the 100 hurdles (15.71) and Samantha Jensen in the discus (114-11).
From Wawasee, only senior Jordan Edington advanced to the regional, finishing second in shot put competition, while Lakeland Christian Academy senior Hailey Nieveen was fourth in the 100 hurdles and 300 hurdles.
Celebrating the brilliance of the sectional performance, the Lady Tigers will need to step it up next week, with sectional qualifiers from Bremen, Angola and Rochester coming to town, all vying for a shot to make the June 1 state finals.
WARSAW SECTIONAL
Team Scores – Warsaw 178, Northridge 85, Elkhart Central 83, Concord 76, Elkhart Memorial 61, Fairfield 31, Goshen 24.5, Jimtown 23.5, Wawasee 20, Elkhart Christian Academy 16, NorthWood 15, Lakeland Christian Academy 11
(Top 4 Advance to Warsaw Regional)
3200 Relay – 1. Northridge (Morgan Blyly, Mandy Campbell, Mackenzie Gray, Jennifer Schrock) 9:55.55, 2. Elkhart Memorial (Haley Lehman, Hailey Moore, Sierra Moore, Allison Hoefle) 10:19.23, 3. Warsaw (Alethia Burritt, Claire Kehler, Brooke Rhodes, Madeline Hooks) 10:26.43, 4. Goshen (Jasmyn Brown, Nora Rangel, Jessica Wynn, Adrienne Henke) 10:34.56; 100 Hurdles – 1. Jackie Ferguson (War) 15.71, 2. Jessica O’Connell (Con) 15.73, 3. Aleyiah Williams (EC) 16.28, 4. Hailey Nieveen (LCA) 16.83; 100 – 1. Ann Harvuot (War) 12.61, 2. Mariah DeFreese (Con) 12.66, 3. Mariah Harter (War) 12.78, 4. Deasaray Greer (Jim) 13.01; 1600 – 1. Olivia Golden (Nridge) 5:07.46, 2. Sarah Ray (War) 5:08.49, 3. Sierra Moore (EM) 5:21.04, 4. Kayla Casaletto (ECA) 5:22.27, 5. Jen Slabaugh (Waw) 5:35.56, 10. Emily Stouder (War) 5:53.15, 21. Emma Donahoe (Waw) 6:54.93; 400 Relay – 1. Warsaw (Samantha Alexander, Brittney Rhodes, Mariah Harter, Ann Harvuot) 49.91, 2. Elkhart Central (Jametria Culbreath, Tatiyana Gates, Aleyiah Williams, Gabi Yoder) 50.10, 3. Elkhart Memorial (Stephanie Bettis, Victoria Mills, Ashayla Mills, Tailor Schultheis) 50.68, 4. Concord (Mariah DeFreese, Ciana Bonfiglio, Jaelyn Beasley, Jessica O’Connell) 51.47, 11. Wawasee (Taylor Busse, Blake O’Connell, Sarah Lancaster, Catherine Yankosky) 54.75; 400 – 1. Tennie Worrell (War) 1:00.05, 2. Gabi Yoder (EC) 1:00.23, 3. Megan Kratzsch (War) 1:01.58, 4. Morgan Markel (EC) 1:03.39, 14. Emilee Catron (LCA) 1:06.31, 16. Carissa Urschalitz (LCA) 1:08.33, 17. Becky Snavely (Waw) 1:10.15; 300 Hurdles – 1. Jessica O’Connell (Con) 45.22, 2. Jackie Ferguson (War) 47.43, 3. Nicole Eckert (War) 49.26, 4. Hailey Nieveen (LCA) 49.47, 14. Sarah Lancaster (Waw) 52.77, 20. Rachel Rozow (Waw) 55.23; 800 – 1. Sierra Moore (EM) 2:18.33, 2. Hannah Dawson (War) 2:20.63, 3. Mandy Campbell (Nridge) 2:23.51, 4. Leah Kissinger (Gosh) 2:25.21, 7. Cynthia Yoder (War) 2:32.33, 11. Madison Miller (Waw) 2:36.13, 12. Tessa Riley (Waw) 2:37.48; 200 – 1. Ann Harvuot (War) 25.96, 2. Mariah DeFreese (Con) 26.17, 3. Samantha Alexander (War) 27.21, 4. Jametria Culbreath (EC) 27.26, 7. Catherine Yankosky (Waw) 27.73; 3200 – 1. Sarah Ray (War) 11:13.34, 2. Olivia Golden (Nridge) 11:25.22, 3. Morgan Blyly (Nridge) 11:40.30, 4. Kayla Casaletto (ECA) 11:50.85, 5. Courtney Linnemeier (Waw) 12:19.65, 7. Jen Slabaugh (Waw) 12:28.72, 10. Emily Stouder (War) 13:05.77; 1600 Relay – 1. Concord (Ciana Bonfiglio, Casey Buchanan, Mariah DeFreese, Jessica O’Connell) 4:04.12, 2. Warsaw (Nicole Eckert, Hannah Dawson, Jackie Ferguson, Tennie Worrell) 4:04.22, 3. Elkhart Central (Jasmine Cotton, Jametria Culbreath, Gabi Yoder, Morgan Markel) 4:16.73, 4. Northridge (Brenna Tadeo, Mandy Campbell, Alyssa Zook, Mackenzie Gray) 4:17.88, 8. LCA (Hannah Remington, Emilee Catron, Carissa Urschalitz, Hailey Nieveen) 4:30.56, 11. Wawasee (Sarah Lancaster, Madison Miller, Tessa Riley, Catherine Yankosky) 4:41.64; High Jump – 1. Jamie Lacheta (War) 5-4, 2. Azariah Stahl (EC) 5-3, 3. Casey Buchanan (Con) 5-3, 4. Nicole Duryea (Jim) 5-1, 9. Abby Schue (War) 4-10; Long Jump – 1. Christina Juroff (Nridge) 16-1, 2. Courtney Farling (War) 16-0.6, 3. Stephanie Bettis (EM) 16-0.25, 4. Samantha Alexander (War) 15-10.5; Discus – 1. Samantha Jensen (War) 114-11, 2. Tia Garrett (EC) 109-3, 3. Madison Stewart (Nridge) 107-6, 4. Jenai White (EC) 107-4, 5. Gabby Monroy (War) 104-0; Shot Put – 1. Madison Stewart (Nridge) 40-4.75, 2. Jordan Edington (Waw) 38-9, 3. Deanna Cornelius (EM) 37-5.5, 4. Jenai White (EC) 36-11.5, 6. Brooklyn Harrison (War) 35-5.25, 8. Jhovana Cervantes (War) 34-8.25; Pole Vault – 1. Sophie Brown (Fair) 11-9*, 2. Claire Hickerson (War) 10-3, 3. Melissa Berger (NW) 10-0, 4. Megan Dearlove (War) 10-0, 9. Taylor Busse (Waw) 7-6
* – Meet Record[[In-content Ad]]
Hosting the 12-team sectional, the Lady Tigers breezed to their seventh-straight championship, racking up 178 points, while Northridge was a distant-second with 85.
Winning eight of the 16 events, the Lady Tigers will be represented in 15 events at next week’s regional, which will be back at Warsaw, as the top four finishers in each event advance.
“The last seven years, we’ve had some really deep, talented teams,” Warsaw coach Scott Erba said. “Tonight, the only event we didn’t get someone out in was shot put, which was relatively close, with (sophomore) Brooklyn Harrison finishing sixth. We’ve never had that many events at regional. My hat’s off to the young ladies for preparing to compete to be in the those top four spots. That’s a big deal.”
Warsaw’s top performer of the night was junior Ann Harvuot, who won the 100 (12.61 seconds), 200 (25.96) and anchored the winning 400 relay (49.91) of freshman Samantha Alexander, senior Brittney Rhodes and sophomore Mariah Harter.
The sectional title in the 100 was Harvuot’s third in a row and the 200 victory was the second-straight time she’d done that, and she’s beginning to get more and more comfortable with the longer sprint.
“I used to think I was strongest in the 100, but recently, I’ve been thinking I’m better in the 200, because my times in the 200 have improved a lot, while my 100 has kind of stayed the same,” she said.
According to Erba, Harvuot’s always had the speed to win, but she’s learning when to turn it on and when to cool it.
“Now, you see her in the time trials and she just has it in cruise control, knowing she’s going to make it (to the finals) – conserving as much energy as possible,” he said. “That’s something she’s learned. When she was younger, she was going crazy in the trials, because she didn’t understand about conservation of energy. That’s a big maturation on her part, knowing, ‘Hey, it doesn’t matter what time I run or if somebody beats me in trials. It’s about making it to the finals.’”
An example of that was in the 200.
During the 200 trials, Elkhart Central senior Jametria Culbreath ran the fastest in 26.72, while Harvuot was sixth in 27.62.
In the finals, Harvuot turned the speed up, winning in 25.96, while Culbreath was fourth in 27.26.
While winning the sprints is fun, Harvuot made it clear that she enjoys the relay, where she can help three other girls advance as well.
“Anchoring the relay is really fun,” she said. “I really love the relay. It’s probably my favorite event. I have the choice of going first or fourth, and I chose fourth, partly because I’m terrible at starts, plus I’m better at receiving handoffs. But, also, I love crossing the finish line.”
Harvuot’s wins were a bit expected, but senior Jamie Lacheta’s victory in the high jump wasn’t as much of a given.
Finishing ninth at last year’s sectional, clearing 4-8, Lacheta backed up last week’s NLC title leap of 5-3, by claiming the sectional title with a 5-4 clearance.
“Last year, I didn’t jump what I could have jumped and it frustrated me so much,” Lacheta said. “This year, I told myself that I was going to make regionals. As soon as (assistant coach Jo) Hickerson told me I was in top four and going to regionals, all the pressure was off and I just jumped.”
A star on the Warsaw volleyball team, Lacheta will be playing Division I volleyball at Valparaiso University next year.
And even though she’s shown to have talent in both sports, juggling the two has been difficult.
“We’ve really been trying to even out her volleyball and her track,” Erba said. “I think we’re doing a better job of keeping her legs fresh, instead of hammering her here and practice then she goes off to play high-level volleyball two or three times a week.”
That balance has resulted in a trip to regionals for Lacheta, who’s senior year has been one to remember.
“Incredible doesn’t even describe it,” she said.
Sophomore Tennie Worrell earned her second-straight sectional crown in the 400, winning in 1:00.05, while senior Sarah Ray posted a victory in the 3200, winning in 11:13.34.
Ray had also hoped to win the 1600, having claimed that title a week ago at the NLC meet, but Northridge junior Olivia Golden squashed that goal.
A week after losing to Ray by just under 18 seconds, Golden ran her sectional 1600 nearly 17 seconds faster than the previous week, getting the win in 5:07.46, while Ray finished in 5:08.49.
“I talk to the girls about trying to win, but also, trying to accept losing,” Erba said. “That’s a tough line sometimes. You don’t want someone going, ‘Oh well, it doesn’t matter.’ But it was good to have her come back and admit that was disappointing, but there was another race. She was not caught up with that one loss so she wouldn’t perform well in the next one.”
A downer for the Lady Tigers may have been in the 1600 relay, where sophomore Megan Kratzsch wasn’t able to compete after irritating her hamstring during her third-place finish in the 400.
With freshman Hannah Dawson running in her place, the 1600 relay of sophomore Nicole Eckert, junior Jackie Ferguson and Worrell were less than a second slower than their NLC winning time, but Concord had sophomore Ciana Bonfiglio available and running the event this week, which was enough to get the victory.
“I think that was a great test for us, knowing those weren’t our top four girls out there,” Erba said about the 1600 relay. “We had a great fill-in with Hannah. She did what she needed to do and showed how big she is as an alternate, but to have Megan back in the mix next week will be great.”
Other Warsaw girls to claim sectional titles Tuesday were Ferguson in the 100 hurdles (15.71) and Samantha Jensen in the discus (114-11).
From Wawasee, only senior Jordan Edington advanced to the regional, finishing second in shot put competition, while Lakeland Christian Academy senior Hailey Nieveen was fourth in the 100 hurdles and 300 hurdles.
Celebrating the brilliance of the sectional performance, the Lady Tigers will need to step it up next week, with sectional qualifiers from Bremen, Angola and Rochester coming to town, all vying for a shot to make the June 1 state finals.
WARSAW SECTIONAL
Team Scores – Warsaw 178, Northridge 85, Elkhart Central 83, Concord 76, Elkhart Memorial 61, Fairfield 31, Goshen 24.5, Jimtown 23.5, Wawasee 20, Elkhart Christian Academy 16, NorthWood 15, Lakeland Christian Academy 11
(Top 4 Advance to Warsaw Regional)
3200 Relay – 1. Northridge (Morgan Blyly, Mandy Campbell, Mackenzie Gray, Jennifer Schrock) 9:55.55, 2. Elkhart Memorial (Haley Lehman, Hailey Moore, Sierra Moore, Allison Hoefle) 10:19.23, 3. Warsaw (Alethia Burritt, Claire Kehler, Brooke Rhodes, Madeline Hooks) 10:26.43, 4. Goshen (Jasmyn Brown, Nora Rangel, Jessica Wynn, Adrienne Henke) 10:34.56; 100 Hurdles – 1. Jackie Ferguson (War) 15.71, 2. Jessica O’Connell (Con) 15.73, 3. Aleyiah Williams (EC) 16.28, 4. Hailey Nieveen (LCA) 16.83; 100 – 1. Ann Harvuot (War) 12.61, 2. Mariah DeFreese (Con) 12.66, 3. Mariah Harter (War) 12.78, 4. Deasaray Greer (Jim) 13.01; 1600 – 1. Olivia Golden (Nridge) 5:07.46, 2. Sarah Ray (War) 5:08.49, 3. Sierra Moore (EM) 5:21.04, 4. Kayla Casaletto (ECA) 5:22.27, 5. Jen Slabaugh (Waw) 5:35.56, 10. Emily Stouder (War) 5:53.15, 21. Emma Donahoe (Waw) 6:54.93; 400 Relay – 1. Warsaw (Samantha Alexander, Brittney Rhodes, Mariah Harter, Ann Harvuot) 49.91, 2. Elkhart Central (Jametria Culbreath, Tatiyana Gates, Aleyiah Williams, Gabi Yoder) 50.10, 3. Elkhart Memorial (Stephanie Bettis, Victoria Mills, Ashayla Mills, Tailor Schultheis) 50.68, 4. Concord (Mariah DeFreese, Ciana Bonfiglio, Jaelyn Beasley, Jessica O’Connell) 51.47, 11. Wawasee (Taylor Busse, Blake O’Connell, Sarah Lancaster, Catherine Yankosky) 54.75; 400 – 1. Tennie Worrell (War) 1:00.05, 2. Gabi Yoder (EC) 1:00.23, 3. Megan Kratzsch (War) 1:01.58, 4. Morgan Markel (EC) 1:03.39, 14. Emilee Catron (LCA) 1:06.31, 16. Carissa Urschalitz (LCA) 1:08.33, 17. Becky Snavely (Waw) 1:10.15; 300 Hurdles – 1. Jessica O’Connell (Con) 45.22, 2. Jackie Ferguson (War) 47.43, 3. Nicole Eckert (War) 49.26, 4. Hailey Nieveen (LCA) 49.47, 14. Sarah Lancaster (Waw) 52.77, 20. Rachel Rozow (Waw) 55.23; 800 – 1. Sierra Moore (EM) 2:18.33, 2. Hannah Dawson (War) 2:20.63, 3. Mandy Campbell (Nridge) 2:23.51, 4. Leah Kissinger (Gosh) 2:25.21, 7. Cynthia Yoder (War) 2:32.33, 11. Madison Miller (Waw) 2:36.13, 12. Tessa Riley (Waw) 2:37.48; 200 – 1. Ann Harvuot (War) 25.96, 2. Mariah DeFreese (Con) 26.17, 3. Samantha Alexander (War) 27.21, 4. Jametria Culbreath (EC) 27.26, 7. Catherine Yankosky (Waw) 27.73; 3200 – 1. Sarah Ray (War) 11:13.34, 2. Olivia Golden (Nridge) 11:25.22, 3. Morgan Blyly (Nridge) 11:40.30, 4. Kayla Casaletto (ECA) 11:50.85, 5. Courtney Linnemeier (Waw) 12:19.65, 7. Jen Slabaugh (Waw) 12:28.72, 10. Emily Stouder (War) 13:05.77; 1600 Relay – 1. Concord (Ciana Bonfiglio, Casey Buchanan, Mariah DeFreese, Jessica O’Connell) 4:04.12, 2. Warsaw (Nicole Eckert, Hannah Dawson, Jackie Ferguson, Tennie Worrell) 4:04.22, 3. Elkhart Central (Jasmine Cotton, Jametria Culbreath, Gabi Yoder, Morgan Markel) 4:16.73, 4. Northridge (Brenna Tadeo, Mandy Campbell, Alyssa Zook, Mackenzie Gray) 4:17.88, 8. LCA (Hannah Remington, Emilee Catron, Carissa Urschalitz, Hailey Nieveen) 4:30.56, 11. Wawasee (Sarah Lancaster, Madison Miller, Tessa Riley, Catherine Yankosky) 4:41.64; High Jump – 1. Jamie Lacheta (War) 5-4, 2. Azariah Stahl (EC) 5-3, 3. Casey Buchanan (Con) 5-3, 4. Nicole Duryea (Jim) 5-1, 9. Abby Schue (War) 4-10; Long Jump – 1. Christina Juroff (Nridge) 16-1, 2. Courtney Farling (War) 16-0.6, 3. Stephanie Bettis (EM) 16-0.25, 4. Samantha Alexander (War) 15-10.5; Discus – 1. Samantha Jensen (War) 114-11, 2. Tia Garrett (EC) 109-3, 3. Madison Stewart (Nridge) 107-6, 4. Jenai White (EC) 107-4, 5. Gabby Monroy (War) 104-0; Shot Put – 1. Madison Stewart (Nridge) 40-4.75, 2. Jordan Edington (Waw) 38-9, 3. Deanna Cornelius (EM) 37-5.5, 4. Jenai White (EC) 36-11.5, 6. Brooklyn Harrison (War) 35-5.25, 8. Jhovana Cervantes (War) 34-8.25; Pole Vault – 1. Sophie Brown (Fair) 11-9*, 2. Claire Hickerson (War) 10-3, 3. Melissa Berger (NW) 10-0, 4. Megan Dearlove (War) 10-0, 9. Taylor Busse (Waw) 7-6
* – Meet Record[[In-content Ad]]
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