Kokomo appears to be team to beat in boys track sectional

Kokomo Tribune - Thursday, May 19, 2011

— Kokomo boys track and field coach Tom Byrnes possesses a team that appears to be on a roll heading into sectional competition.

Twelve days ago, the Wildkats edged Marion for their first North Central Conference crown since 1995, and with several key cogs back from last year’s sectional-champion squad, a repeat would seem but a foregone conclusion.

However, Byrnes knows other teams that will give the Kats a run for their money and contend for that coveted crown lurk in the field.

“If our kids do what we’re capable of doing, we feel like we have a pretty good shot. But we understand that we have to come out and perform,” Byrnes said. “There are lots of events, it just comes down to proving themselves, and we talked all week long that the kids have to perform or our season, unfortunately, could be over.”

Eleven area schools, including the other four in Howard County, will converge upon Walter Cross Field today at 5 p.m. looking to dethrone Kokomo, who topped second-place Eastern last year 145-112. Oak Hill (96.5) was third, while Western rounded out the top four with 63 points.

Seven of the eight athletes that advanced to the state finals a season ago for Kokomo are back, led by John Alsup, who won the 100, 200 and long jump in last year’s sectional. Tony Moses (400) and Robert Lancaster (110 hurdles) also claimed sectional titles a season ago for the Kats.

The MIC-champion Comets would appear to be the top candidate to overtake Kokomo, but injuries to sprinters Cale Roark and Clay Marner may prove too tough to overcome, although Eastern will still be strong in several areas, led by throwers Blake Donson and Joey Price, hurdler Reid LaRowe and sprinter Blake Thomas.

“I’d like to say we’re in there in the top three,” Eastern coach Paul Nicholson said of the field. “There are some other schools that are right there with very strong individuals. We had guys that I thought would be right there in the thick of things, and we still do. ... On any given night, somebody can fire out of the blocks just right and be there. We’re excited about [fighting for] that top three and seeing where the chips fall. If we bring our ‘A’ game, I think we can be very respectable in this sectional.”

Western finished runner up to Eastern in this season’s conference meet by two points, led by double winner Matt Riley, who captured the 200 and 400 and took second in the long jump.

Western could have captured the MIC title if it weren’t for a disqualification from the 400-meter relay. That fact has the Panthers hungry, but their ultimate goal, like most of the other teams, is simply living to fight another day.

“That’s our No. 1 goal, winning the sectional and getting as many people out of the sectional,” Western coach Marvin Boswell said. His team won the sectional in 2009. “That’s what we’ve been preparing for the whole season. They’re fired up to compete well [tonight].”

Boswell sees Kokomo as the team to beat, but with the Panthers’ depth, is hoping his team can give the Kats stiff competition in the final standings.

“Kokomo is very strong this year, and they’re strong in all areas. ... They have just about all the events covered,” Boswell said. “But if you get a few things to go your way and a few favorable outcomes there, you hope some of the kids are able to step up and make a run to be able to catch them.”