Kokomo Tribune - Friday, April 01, 2011

BOYS TRACK - Western 88, Northwestern 44

The Panthers looked dominant in their first meet of the year, doubling up the Tigers in Russiaville.

Jacob Hopkins and Garrett Welker were both triple winners for Western. Hopkins won the 110 hurdles in 16.5 seconds, the 300 hurdles in :42.8, and teamed with Welker, James Davis and Cameron Glenn to win the 400 relay in :45.1.

Welker won the 100-meter dash in :11.6 and the pole vault with a showing of 12 feet, six inches.

Matt Riley added victories in the 400 (:51.40) and the long jump (20-1). Davis took the 200 in :24.0, Matt Grider was tops in the 1,600 (5:01) and Austin Elliott ran away with the 3,200 (10:42).

Dakota Bagwell rounded out the sweep in the field events with victories in the discus (111-5) and shot put (41-6).

"I thought for our first meet this year we had a good team showing," Western coach Marvin Boswell said. "I was really pleased with the amount of depth we were able to show. The kids came out and ran good times despite the cold weather. We had several double and triple winners, and some outstanding performances for the first meet of the year."

GIRLS TRACK - Western 82, Northwestern 49

The Panthers were led by triple winners Natylee Nation and Corianne Myer in their season-opening win over the Tigers.

Nation swept the hurdle events (100, :17.7; and 300, :51.6) and won the long jump at 14-10.

Myer took top honors in the 800 in 2:43 and the 3,200 in 13:05, and teamed with Allison Lindley, Cara Love and Krissy Durr to win the 3,200 relay in 10:54.

Durr was tops in the 1,600 in 6:08, Caily Tanner swept the shot put (33-6) and discus (107-11.75), Alleca Kerker ran away with the victory in the 100 in :13.68, and Taylor Young rounded out Western's winners in the 200 in :28.5.

"It was good to get a meet in finally," Western coach Joni McCracken said. "Obviously it's always nice to walk away for spring break with a win under your belt. We have a lot of new girls this year, and all the coaches saw some promising performances and were pleased. We look forward to returning from spring break with a renewed spirit and ready to go again.”