The Warsaw Lady Tigers started their 2016 season with a bang over a two-day span at the Indiana Wesleyan University Hoosier State Relays Qualifiers Friday and Saturday in Marion and the Region Rumble at Portage. In order to qualify for the State Meet at Purdue on March 26, relays and individuals must be one of the top 24 performers in the large school division during the March 4 to March 19 qualifying window. Friday night saw strong efforts from Allison Miller (second in the 3200), Michaela Buriff (sixth in the high jump), the 4x200 relay team of Buriff, Kendall Menzie, Maygan Bellamy and Joelle Messenger placed fifth. The 4x400 relay team of Raina Armey, Bellamy, Audrey Hansen, Kara Harness finished fourth. At Portage, where only throwers competed, Emily Bailey paced the Lady Tigers with a toss of 33 feet, one inch in the shot put, followed by Page Desenberg and Natalie Nichols, who both cleared 31 feet in their attempts. On Saturday, Warsaw came back with a more experienced crew. Samantha Alexander won the long jump with an 18-3 effort. Audrey Rich won the 60-meter dash in 8.17 second and they both partnered in the winning 4x200 relay (with Abby Curtis and Shunterra Davis) and 4x400 relay (with Brooke Rhodes and Hannah Dawson). Both relays are ranked in the top five in the state as of this weekend and have a great chance to advance to the state Meet. Mia Beckham and Carmen Yoder finished 1-2 in the 3200 race with times that will give them a great chance to compete in the state meet as well. The 4x800 (Dawson, Rhodes, Kenzie Martz, Anna Craig) finished third overall and is also in the top five in the4 state and with the second fastest indoor time in school history. The Distance Medley Relay (Craig, Remi Beckham, Claire Kehler, Lauren Orr) raced to a second-place finish at the end of the meet. Next up for Warsaw is the IWU No. 3 HSR Qualifier and the IPFW Bulldog Invite, both on Saturday. The outdoor season begins with a home meet against Penn and South Bend Washington on March 23. The meet was originally scheduled to be hosted by Penn.
