By SCOTT DAVIDSON
Sports Editor

KOKOMO –  Both Jacob Schwartz and Clayton Cook gained some valuable postseason experience Thursday night in the Kokomo Boys Track Regional.
The pair of Wawasee underclassmen hopefully can use the learning tool for future success.
“It’s the first time for both of them here and it’s a good experience,” said Wawasee coach Scott Lancaster Thursday night. “They both were able to gain valuable experience tonight.”
Schwartz, a junior, placed seventh in the shot put with a top effort of 50-2 1/2. Senior Josiah Price  of Eastern (Greentown) won the event with a throw of 55-8 1/2.

“Jacob got out of the gate good tonight and was hovering right around 50 feet,” Lancaster said. “He then got a couple of scratches because he was trying to go for it.  We knew he need to pop off a 52 footer or so.”
“He just has a couple of technique areas to clean up, but he’s got another year. The good thing for him is that most of the throwers who beat him tonight are seniors.”
Schwartz’s top throw this season, according to his coach, was 50-9.
Five of six throwers who placed ahead of Schwartz Thursday night are seniors.

Freshman Cook competed in the 110 meter hurdles for the Warriors. Cook placed ninth in the preliminaries, just missing a top eight finish and a spot in the finals. Cook clocked in at 16.09 Thursday night after being seeded at 15.23.
“The thing for Clayton is that he gained the experience too of competing in a meet like this,” said Lancaster.  “I think the strong wind (20 miles per hour) in his face hurt him tonight. He’s kind of a lighter kid and I think that gave him trouble as it did others tonight.”
South Bend Clay junior Jordan Hunt  went on to win the 110 meter hurdle regional title with a winning time of 14.94 in the finals.