Tigers 4th, Wawasee 9th In Rain-Delayed Goshen Boys Track Sectional
Tigers 4th, Wawasee 9th In Rain-Delayed Goshen Boys Track Sectional
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Lachlan Lennox-
Tigers 4th, Wawasee 9th In Rain-Delayed Goshen Boys Track SectionalGOSHEN – After a brief yet ferocious thunderstorm disrupted Thursday’s races, the Goshen Track Sectional concluded Friday with an Elkhart Memorial victory. Warsaw finished in fourth with 57 points, while Wawasee placed ninth in a 33 point effort.
Meet officials delayed the sectional for about 90 minutes Thursday, then called off the meet after a second line of strong storms moved in after 10:30 p.m. with only the shot put and 4x400 relay remaining.
The Tigers were able to get on the board early courtesy of their field athletes. Pole vaulter Nick Bazzoni finished second in the event, reaching a height of 13’0. He was narrowly beat out by Northridge’s Mason Puckett, who recorded a 13’4. High jumpers Tyler Metzinger and Connor Lennox added seven points, while Keagan Larsh added another at the long jump.
Both teams had several runners qualify for the regional meet in Kokomo Thursday, where they will join Bazzoni for a chance at qualifying for the state meet in Bloomington May 31.
Senior runner Alijah Wade finished second in the 200, clocking in at a blazing 22.73. The 800 saw Wawasee’s Luke Griner edge out Warsaw’s Tanner Stiver for the gold. Griner won by a two and a half second margin.
Warsaw coach J.W. Maierle had nothing but praise for his team.
“We have a lot of underclassmen, so I’m happy where we finished. A couple of big schools were ahead of us, so fourth place is solid.”
Maierle had praise for several of his athletes, including Wade, Bazzoni, and Stiver. However, his highest honors were reserved for Jacob Kissling, who recorded his first sub-ten minute time of the season. Maierle hoped Kissling’s PR would be enough for the young athlete to earn a callback to the regional meet. He shared the same optimism for the 4x100 relay team, shot putter Nicholas Miller, and discus thrower Kyle Dawson, who all finished in fourth place in their respective events.
Wawasee saw its small team perform well under some difficult circumstances. Despite lacking hurdlers and jumpers, the Warriors saw some phenomenal performances from their top athletes.
Griner won the 800 in dominant fashion, clocking in at 1:54.21. On Friday night, Isiah Tipping clinched a spot in the regional competition by finishing second in the shot put. Tipping’s distance of 53’11 was topped only by Columbia City’s Liam Hesting.
Senior Spencer Hare also kept his season alive with a third place finish in the 3200 run, coming in at 9:58.34. Hare edged Warsaw’s Kissling by less than half a second.
Lakeland Christian Academy also competed in the sectional. Distance runner Kohei Nagasaki placed 15th in the 3200 while Matthew Helton finished 19th in the 100.
The top three in each event qualify for the Kokomo Regional, and others could be added based on performances, scratches and available sports to fill the field.
