Kokomo Tribune - Tuesday, March 31, 2009

BOYS TRACK - Western 92, Northwestern 39

Western received strong efforts up and down its lineup in beating rival Northwestern.

Individually, Jerel Hall won the 100 dash (:11.6) and 200 dash (:22.9). Also for the Panthers, Indy Matthew won the 300 hurdles (:42.5) and long jump (189.5), Aaron VanAuken placed first in the 110 hurdles (:16.6) and high jump (5-11), Chris Harter won the pole vault (13-6), Zac Martinez was tops in the 800 run (2:05.2) and Trevor Buckalew won shot put (46-9). Also for the Panthers, Jake Askren, Mathew, Trent Lawlyes and Hall won the 400 relay (:45.0), and Hall, Lucas Luckey, Harter and Daltton Head won the 1,600 relay (3:39.1).

"Overall, our sprints and hurdles was what really separated us — Hall winning in both the 100 and 200 and Askren coming in second in both events. It was a strong effort by our sprinters," Western's Boswell said. "VanAuken had a best time in the 110 hurdles, and he had a personal best in the high jump."

Kory Kennedy and Ryan Pattison led Northwestern.

Kennedy won the 1,600 run (4:41.5) and 3,200 run (10:32.4). Pattison was tops in the 400 dash (:52.8) and he teamed with Sam Freeman, Adam Fessenden and Jeremy Robison to win the 3,200 relay. Brock Ford also picked up a win for the Tigers, firing the discus 148-10.

"Kennedy is strong," according to Boswell. "Also, Ford threw well in the discus. There's not many dual meets where all [top] three places were over 140 feet."

GIRLS TRACK - Western 74, Northwestern 57

Western topped Northwestern in a competitive meet.

Triple winner Cara Earlywine paced the Panthers. She took individual wins in the 100 dash (:13.6) and 200 dash (:27.8). In addition, she teamed with Alleca Kerker, Taylor Young and Danae Rittmann to win the 400 relay (:53.6).

Also for Western, Nikki McCracken took wins in the pole vault (9-6) and 100 hurdles (:17.5). Other Western winners were: Allison Everetts (400 dash, 1:04.4); Ashley Gaskins (3,200 run, 13:18); Sable Staller (high jump, 5-1); Caily Tanner (shot put, 32-8); and Kristin Tiedeman (discus, 100-6).

"Earlywine set the pace for us," Western coach Marvin Boswell said. "Kerker was right with her in the 100 dash. Those two are really competitive. McCracken came out, and she had a really good time. She looked good going across the hurdles. It was also phenomenal for her to start out the season at 9-6."

Individually for Northwestern, Hannah Ault won the 1,600 run (5:56), Nicki Hendricks won the 800 run (2:38.3), Kara DeFabritis was tops in the long jump (152.5) and Courtney Silvey won the 300 hurdles (:52.8).

Also for the Tigers, Ault, Lauren Dewhurst, Annie Sloss and Nicki Hendricks won the 3,200 relay (10:26.1), and Ault, Dewhurst, Rachel Lowden and Lauren Brun won the 1,600 relay (4:25.8).

"I was very pleased with the girls. They all gave good efforts for the first meet out," Northwestern coach Mary Clem said. "We had a better score than we had in our first meet last year so that's always a promising way to start the season. A lot of the rookies who just came on board stepped up and did well. Hopefully the jitters are gone now and after spfing break, we'll come back suntanned and ready to go again."