Deep Tigers Impressive In NLC Debut
NAPPANEE – Warsaw girls track coach Scott Erba admitted that he wasn’t quite sure what to expect from his team prior to its’ Northern Lakes Conference opener Wednesday night.
The Tigers were missing several key performers due to another commitment and had not competed for 16 days.
It turns out that there was absolutely nothing for Erba to worry about.
The talented Tigers continued their league domination by defeating host NorthWood and topping Concord in impressive fashion in an NLC triangular held at Jim Andrews Field.
Warsaw showed off its quality and quantity in besting the Panthers 112-19 and clipping Concord 97-35 to improve to 4-0 overall on the season. Concord defeated NorthWood by a 91-41 count.
The Tigers, which has won at least a share of the NLC title for the last eight years, looked primed to carry on that tradition.
Warsaw, which went 7-0 in league action a year ago, won 11 of 16 events Wednesday. The Tigers, who claimed sectional and regional championships in 2013 as well, also placed second or third 17 times in the conference meet.
A total of nine different individuals won events for the Tigers, who had not competed since defeating Penn and South Bend Washington on March 31.
Warsaw won six individual races on the track, plus two of the three relay events.
Senior Ann Harvuot captured top honors in the 100-meter dash with a top time of 12.78. She also teamed with Mariah Harter, Audrey Rich and Samantha Alexander to win the 4 X 100 relay in a time of 50.32.
The Tigers also got winning performances on the track from Rich in the 200 (26.09), Hannah Dawson in the 400 (1:03.51), Anna Craig in the 800 (2:26.27), Allison Miller in the 1,600 (5:25.46) and Brooke Rhodes in the 3,200 (12:29.63).
Warsaw notched three first-place finishes in the field events. Senior Claire Hickerson won the pole vault with a height of 9-6. Alexander won the long jump by going 15-7 1/2 and Brooklyn Harrison claimed top honors in the shot put with a top throw of 36-3 1/2.
The foursome of Mallory Hooks, Charlene Orr, Lauren Orr and Hannah Thompson claimed first in the 4 X 800 relay event. The quartet clocked in at 10:57.97.
The trio of Jackie Ferguson, Courtney Farling and Emily Bailey all also scored big points for the winners. Ferguson placed second in both the 100 and 300 hurdles races. Farling was second in both the high jump and the long jump and Bailey was second in the discus and third in the shot put.
Warsaw also got second-place finishes from Shannon Winslow (pole vault), Rich (pole vault), Harvuot (200), Emma Hayward (1,600) and Claire Kehler (3,200). The 4 X 400 relay team of Craig, Dawson, Kenzie Merchant and Haley Peterson also took second-place honors.
The Tigers will return to team action next Tuesday (April 22) at Northridge for another NLC triangular with the host Raiders and Wawasee.
The 4 X 800 relay team of Anna Craig, Hannah Dawson, Brooke Rhodes and Allison Miller are scheduled to compete Friday night in the Franklin Central Distance Classic. The quartet were an indoor state finalist back in March.