Boys track teams ready for sectionals

By Beau Wicker
Pharos-Tribune sports editor

May 15, 2008 12:25 am

— The 105th-annual IHSAA boys track and field tournament gets underway tonight with sectionals taking place across the state.
Individuals and relay teams that place in the top four advance to the regional level.
Logansport, Lewis Cass and Pioneer will compete in the Kokomo Sectional.
“Oak Hill is the team to beat there,” veteran Logansport coach Randy Kuhn said. “Last year they were added to our sectional and they just dominated.”
“We’re hoping to get at least two relays through and some individuals,” the Logan coach added.
Last season Logan’s Matt McIntire advanced past the sectional in the discus. Another Logansport individual that seemingly has a good shot of advancing is Brice Roads who won the North Central Conference title in the 800.
For Pioneer, Justin Ruff is the defending sectional champion in the shot put and he finished second in the discus a year ago. Ryan Bice advanced in the 1600 a year ago.
Winamac will compete at the Rensselaer Sectional. Last season the Warriors advanced 10 athletes past the sectional and have another good shot of advancing a double-digit number of athletes this time around according to head coach Jeff Beach.
“In most events we’ll have an opportunity to get somebody out,” Beach said.
When Valparaiso was moved out of the Warriors’ sectional field beginning last season, Winamac’s sectional hopes went up.
“Our philosophy changed,” Beach said. “Our approach will be the same as it would be at a big meet or the conference meet: we’re going to try to win it.”
Beach added that defending sectional favorite Kankakee Valley is the favorite this year.
“KV is stronger than they were last year,” he said. “KV is the favorite and Rensselaer is right up there. If we have a superb night and KV has some letdowns in areas, we’ve got an outside shot.”
Beach said the eight seniors on the squad have had a large role in the Warriors’ success this season, which has included a Midwest Conference championship.
“(Senior) Cory Hurd has been our workhorse at big events,” Beach added. “He’s got a chance to get out in the 100, the 200 and the 400.”
Carroll and Delphi will participate in the Lafayette Jeff Sectional.
Oracles coach John Gasser said that competing against the larger schools of Lafayette presents a big challenge for his squad, though he does have two athletes seeded fourth entering the sectional in Jonathon Hufford in the 200 and Matt Wilcox in the 400.
Caston will compete in the Plymouth Sectional. Comets coach Tara Wolfe said her squad has been battling a multitude of injuries entering the sectional.
“Health has been a big issue for us this year,” she said.
The lone regional-qualifier for the Comets a year ago, Aaron Benedict, is one of the athletes who’s been battling an injury.
“We have Aaron Benedict back,” Wolfe said. “He’s been working on his blocks. We’re hoping he’s back and healthy and ready to go. Then Austin Yeargean pulled a hamstring at the MWC Meet. He’s seeded second or third in the 100 and the 200. He has the potential to get out if his hamstring gets taken care of.”
Wolfe added Garrett Redweik is another athlete with the potential to advance that has been injured.
“We’ve had a lot of injuries this year with the boys. They’ve been working hard and have had a lot of improvement though,” Wolfe said.

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