GIRLS TRACK: Sectional is tonight at NW

Kokomo Tribune - Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Howard County girls track and field squads ruled the Madison-Grant Sectional in recent seasons. Kokomo was the champion in five of six years from 2006-11 with Western breaking up the Wildkats’ run with a title in 2008. Eastern claimed back-to-back titles in 2012-13 and Northwestern took the trophy last year. Western, Eastern and Northwestern all celebrated first-time sectional titles.

Maconaquah and Peru look ready to take aim at Howard County’s hold on the title, on Howard County turf.

Northwestern is the new sectional host. The 13-team meet is at 5 p.m. today. The other teams in the field are Cass, Logansport, Madison-Grant, Pioneer, Taylor, Tipton and Tri-Central.

Maconaquah is looking for its first sectional title since 1993. Peru is shooting for its first since 1983.

Mac and Peru are coming off a 1-2 finish in the Mid-Indiana Conference last Tuesday at Indiana Wesleyan University. The Braves posted a score of 109.5 to edge the Bengal Tigers (104) with Eastern (96) and Northwestern (78.5) rounding out the top four in the eight-team meet.

The Braves won just one event in the conference meet, but had strong showings in several events. Maysie Hewitt and Ashley Collins took first and second, respectively, in pole vault to lead the title charge. Both cleared 9 feet, 6 inches.

Also for the Braves, Raygan Plothow was runner-up in long jump (15-10.75), Courtney Campbell was runner-up in shot put (32-11), Kate White was second in the 800 run (2:30.58) and Olivia Winegardner was third in the 3,200 run (12:13.65) and fourth in the 1,600 run (5:45.35). Also, the Braves’ 4x800 relay team was second (10:40.94).

Peru is led by Sidney Fuller, Josie Murphy and Jesse Zvers. At the MIC meet, Fuller won the 100 hurdles (:15.81) and 300 hurdles (:47.06), Murphy won

long jump (16-3.5), was third in the 200 dash (:28.02) and fourth in the 100 dash (:13.26) and Zvers won the 3,200 run (12:07.51) and was third in the 1,600 (5:39.17). The Bengal Tigers also won the 4x100 relay (:51.74).

Howard County meet champion Eastern has shown a nice balance between running and field events. At the MIC meet, Avery Ewing won the 400 dash (1:02.01) and Danielle Reed won shot put (35-4.5). Carly Jones added runner-up finishes in the 1,600 (5:34.64) and 3,200 (12:09.18), Reed and Jenny Keith went 3-4 in discus (99-7 and 99-2) and Arienna Ewing was third in pole vault (8-6) and fourth in 100 hurdles (:17.18).

Northwestern is led by Tearsten Munson, Brooke Treadway and Hannah Ballard. In the conference meet, Munson won the 200 dash (:27.11) and was second in the 100 dash (:12.93), Treadway won discus (109-10) and was third in shot put (32-5) and Ballard won high jump (5-2). Kaitlyn Daanen backed Munson with a third in the 100 dash (:13.22).

Other MIC champions who will go for Northwestern Sectional titles tonight are: Taylor’s Cami Hansen (800 and 1,600 runs with times of 2:28.31 and 5:26.27); Cass’ Kelsey Smith (100 dash, :12.9); Cass’ 4x400 relay team (4:13.38); Western’s 4x800 relay team (10:33.89).

Kokomo finished eighth in the 10-team North Central Conference meet on May 8 at IWU. Taylor Coram led the Kats that night — she was third in the 300 hurdles (:48.79), fourth in long jump (16-3.25) and seventh in pole vault (7-6). Deju Miller was fourth in high jump (5-0). The Kats’ 4x100 relay team was third in :52.16. MyKayla Fowler was seventh in discus (108-2).

Tipton is led by Brooklin Shrock and Jessica Sprinkles. At the Hoosier Conference meet on May 8 at West Lafayette, Shrock won the 100 dash (:13.32) and was second in the 200 dash (:28.29) and Sprinkles was second in the 800 run (2:21.03).