Manchester Track Teams Pick Up TRC Wins At Tippy Valley
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Anthony Gadson-agadson@timesuniononline.com
AKRON — Manchester track and field coach Julie Cassel always seems excited, but this season's team are making her even more giddy. "We're just very fortunate that we can score a little bit everywhere," she said Thursday after her boys team posted a 76-49 win and her girls won 73-46 at Tippecanoe Valley. The Manchester Squires won nine of 15 events, including double individual wins by Aric Howard (shot put, discus), Trae Bruce (high jump, 400) and Keegan McNeeley (100, 200). McNeeley also anchored the first-place 400 relay, joining Gunner Ream, Skyler Honeycutt and Preston Penrod. "There's guys we can count on that are real consistent," Cassel said. "Keegan McNeeley in the sprints, Trae Bruce in the hurdles and now Gunner Ream is coming in right behind him, picking up seconds and thirds." Along with Howard winning both throwing events, the Squires also took second and third in each event as well. "To sweep those — I can't remember that last time that happened," Cassel said. "Between Aric and Cole Sellers, they're really doing a nice job." Also winning for the boys was Aaron Reust in the 3200 and the 3200 relay of Clayton Grizzle, Andrew Bollinger, David Francis and Jared Monce. Putting a damper on the Squires' day was Valley's James Gregory, Nolan Sponseller and Justin Gunter. Gregory finished the day by winning the 110 hurdles and 300 hurdles, while Sponseller won the 800 and 1600. Sponseller and Gregory were also members of the winning 1600 relay, along with Josh Dooty and Arron Heller. Gunter rounded out Valley's wins by taking first place in the long jump. Cassel's girls team was just as impressive as the boys, winning 11 of 15 events, highlighted by Andy Sharfman. The school's record-holder in the distance events, Sharfman won the 1600 and 3200 despite being less than 100 percent. "Andy Sharfman was actually cruising a little bit," Cassel said. "She has a sore toe, but she was actually just running tonight to get mileage. She does an excellent job." Kelsi Custer also won two individual events, taking the 400 and high jump, while accompanying Kiana Gillum, Brooke Pratt and Darien Rodriguez on the winning 3200 relay. Rodriguez also won the 800 and other victorious Lady Squires were Bekah Brunn (100 hurdles), Meredith Littlefield (300 hurdles) and Lindsey Budnik (long jump). Along with winning the 3200 relay, the Lady Squires also won the 400 relay (Katelyn Eberly, Maddi Burton, Brunn, Budnik) and 1600 relay (Budnik, Rodriguez, Brunn, Custer), with the latter really drawing a smiles from its coach as it won with Custer filling in for Lille Terrill. "The 4x400 is looking mighty good," Cassel said. "That was second-fastest time, and it was without Lille Terrill." Valley's Emily Madrigal won the 100 and 200, while Crystal Fuller, a former Manchester student, won the discus and shot put. Despite the double wins by Madrigal and Fuller, the Lady Vikings suffered the same fate as the male counterparts, falling to Manchester. "This is the best we've ever looked right after spring break," Cassel said. "This is absolutely the best we've looked." The Manchester boys will be at the Churubusco Relays Saturday and the complete Manchester team will be back in action Monday, hosting North Miami, Caston and Lakeland Christian Academy. Tippecanoe Valley is back on the track Tuesday at Wabash, joining Northfield for the three-team Three Rivers Conference meet.
