Boys track regional

Kokomo Tribune - Friday, May 27, 2016

Northwestern senior Owen Munson and Kokomo junior Andrecus Eddington put on a speed display in a boys track and field regional Thursday at Warsaw.

Munson won the 400-meter dash in a school-record time of 49.13 seconds. Eddington won the 100 dash in :11.15.

They advance to the state finals on June 4 at Bloomington. Western sophomore Tyler Gilbert and Peru’s Nate Cole also are going to state — Gilbert was second in the discus competition and Cole was third in the 800 run.

The top three finishers in each event advance to state. Those who finish outside the top three but meet the state standard also advance.

Northwestern coach Dave Stevens was thrilled to see Munson take the 400 title.

“Owen has been on a mission for 365 days, since last year’s timing mistake at the regional,” Stevens said, noting the timing failed in Munson’s heat, thwarting his night. “He’s worked hard, he’s done everything that’s been asked of him to get back to this level. It was quite a reward for him [Thursday] to just run away with it. I was proud to see him because he deserved this opportunity.

“Breaking the school record was sweet for him. Going down to state now, he’s ready. We’re excited for him.”

Eddington is heading to state after winning the 100 dash.

Western’s Gilbert took second in discus with a throw of 144-6.

“It’s tremendous to see how much he improved in one year,” Western coach Gary Jewell said. “A year ago, he was a freshman and a JV thrower — not even over 95 feet, I think. Now he’s throwing in the 145 range. He’s throwing 150 in practice. [Thursday] was not conducive to big throws. There was a tailwind. But it only took one big throw and fortunately, he got that one throw in the finals and moved up from fifth to second.”

Western senior Cameron Dessing and junior Josh Everetts just missed earning automatic invites to state. Dessing finished fourth in the 110 high hurdles (:15.00) and also the 300 hurdles (:39.18) and Everetts was fourth in the 1,600 run (4:27.23). Dessing set school records in both of his events.

“It’s kind of bittersweet a little bit because Cameron was in the state meet last year in the 300s and you want to see him go back,” Jewell said. “I think the race this year was so much tougher than it was last year. ... We are hoping we get one of those three at-large bids in either event. That would be great for him. The same thing with Everetts.”

Peru’s Cole had a time of 1:58.03 in the 800.