Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
BLOOMINGTON - It was a whirlind weekend for Rachel Stichter.
The uber-talented long distance runner for Wawasee graduated from high school Friday and won a state championship in the 3,200 Saturday at the Robert C. Haugh Track and Field Complex on the campus of the University of Indiana in Bloomington.
Just another chapter in the career of the most decorated distance runner in the area.
Stichter recorded the sixth fastest winning time in the event's history with a 10:41.77 to defeat Northridge's Megan Jackson by eight seconds.
"It's been crazy," said Stichter of the past 72 hours. "Friday night I went to graduation, got home, went to bed and then drove down to Bloomington Saturday morning."
The Ohio-State bound Stichter was happy with the win, but would have liked to face an old nemesis.
Concordia's Adele Mitchell finished just in front of Stichter's seventh-place time of 10:53.71 in last year's 3,200 as the two returned this year as the highest finishers.
Mitchell chose to run the 1,600 instead of the 3,200.
"I definitely would have liked to go against (Mitchell) but she decided to run the 1,600," said Stichter.
Stichter caps off a career that, up until now, was highlighted by a courageous second-place finish in the state cross country championship last fall despite a painful foot injury.
"It's another great experince," said Sticher of her state championship. "It's also great to be healthy for it."
Warsaw's Julie Seiss finished sixth in the 800, despite a No. 1 seeding. Seiss, a junior, finished with a time of 2:16.32.
The Tigers' 3200 relay team of sophomore's Valerie Leek, Katie Furnivall and Lindsay Houvener and freshman Katy Cutshall finished 22nd out of 27 teams with a time of 9:59.03.
Stichter's teammate, junior Tara Clouse, didn't record a height in the high jump.
Fort Wayne Northrop won the team state championship for the sixth straight year, scoring 65 points, while Lawrence Central was second with 37. With Stichter's win, the Warriors finished tied for 26th place overall.
GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD STATE FINALS
Top 10 team scores - FW Northrop 65, Lawrence Central 37, Ben Davis 33, North Central (Indpls.) 24, Chesterton 20, Warren Central 19, SB Adams 18, Northridge 18, Muncie Central 17, Homestead 16, FW Carroll 16, Danville 16, L. North 16
(Top six and Local finishers)
800 - 1. Megan Flynn (Marian) 2:14.12, 2. Brittany Ade (Dwenger) 2:14.90, 3. Jill Odom (Highland) 2:15.11, 4. Brittney Knies (Forest Park) 2:15.78, 5. Breanne Ehrman (Westfield) 2:16.13, 6. Julie Seiss (Warsaw) 2:16.32
3200 - 1. Rachel Stichter (Warsaw) 10:41.77, 2. Megan Jackson (Northridge) 10:49.15, 3. Alex Banfich (Culver Academy), 4. Wendi Robinson (Danville) 11:04.32, 5. Wendy Mahlan (Bellmont) 11:05.17, 6. Chelsea Blanchard (Carroll) 11:09.43
3200 relay - 1. Megan Miller, Aimee Gingerich, Lynn Pezzanite, Jackson (Northridge) 9:08.33, 2. Chesterton 9:12.76, 3. Westfield 9:14.22, 4. FW Concordia 9:23.17, 5. Ben Davis 9:26.98, 6. North Central (Indpls) 9:26.98, 22. Warsaw 9:59.03
High jump - 1. Kayla Tucker (Reitz) 5-8, 2. Emily Breslin (Cathedral) 5-8, 3. Evie Lehman (Adams Central) 5-07, 4. Ashley Rhoades (Columbia City) 5-7, 5. Jessica Genovese (Lake Central) 5-6, 6. Lizzy Gunn (Franklin) 5-6, NH. Tara Clouse (Wawasee)
SOFTBALL
Saturday in Decatur
The Whitko Wildcats' season came to an end Saturday in the Bellmont Regional semifinal at the hands of third-ranked Northridge as the Raiders won 4-1. Wildcat freshman pitcher Jamie Westness struck out eight and allowed just three hits in the loss. Northridge's Morgan Hackman picked up the win after striking out six and walking just two. Heather Arnett had a double for Whitko in the loss. Whitko defeated Northridge in last year's regional to advance to the finals. The Wildcats finish the season 21-5 and have won two straight sectional crowns.
NORTHRIDGE 4, WHITKO 1
W 000 000 1 - 1 6 2
N 000 004 X - 4 3 0
WP -ÊMorgan Hackman (16-1, 6 K, 2 BB, 6 H); LP - Jamie Westness (8 K, 3 H)
Whitko leader -ÊHeather Arnett 2B
BASEBALL
Saturday in Wabash
Joe Egner's singled in the bottom of the seventh inning and pitched three innings of relief to carry the Manchester Squires to a 4-3 win over Northfield in the Wabash Sectional final Saturday. Jimmy Preston scored the winning run for Manchester. Preston also started the game on the mound for the Squires, giving up four hits and three runs. Jason Dale, Nate O'Hara and Tristan Leonhard all had hits for Manchester. The Squires, 15-13 on the season, host the regional Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. Manchester will take on 20-8 Woodlan.
MANCHESTER 4, N'FIELD 3
M 030 000 1 - 4 4 1
N 021 000 0 - 3 5 0
WP - Joe Egner (3 IP, 7 K); LP -ÊShafer
Manchester leaders - Joe Egner 1 H, 1 RBI; Jimmy Preston 1 H, 1 R; Jason Dale 1 H; Nate O'Hara 1 H; Tristan Leonhard 1 H
