Wawasee freshman Sarah Lancaster soars over a hurdle during sectional action in Warsaw Tuesday night (Photos by Jim Harris)

WARSAW – Chalk Tuesday night up as a learning experience for the Wawasee girls track team.

The youthful Warriors notched a ninth-place team finish as they competed in a deep and talented Warsaw Sectional field.

Jordan Edington earned the lone regional qualifying spot for Wawasee. The senior placed second in the shot put to advance to the Warsaw Regional on May 21.

Host Warsaw piled up 178 points to dominate in winning its seventh straight sectional championship. Northridge was runner-up in the 12-team field with 85 points and the Warriors scored 20.

The top four finishers in each event return to Warsaw for the regional next Tuesday evening.

“This was kind of what we expected, but not what we had hoped for,” said Wawasee coach Scott Lancaster. “We set up the meet tonight to try and see who could advance for us. Tonight was about individuals.

“The field is a lot deeper tonight and a lot more competitive than a week ago for the NLC Meet,” Lancaster said.  “I hope this puts a fire in the belly of some of our kids like my daughter (Sarah) who did not reach her goal. We have a lot of first time track athletes and for them I hope this experience gives them a taste of what to expect next year.”

Edington, who won the sectional title in the shot put in 2012, had a top throw of 38-09 Tuesday night. Northridge senior Madison Stewart won the title with an effort of 40-04.75.

Sophomore Catherine Yankosky of Wawasee takes a handoff during the 4 X 100 relay Tuesday night.

Sophomore Catherine Yankosky was seventh in the finals of the 200 with a time of 27.73 and competed in the 100, clocking in at 13.35 in the trials.

“We had some positives tonight and Catherine was probably the biggest,” said Lancaster. “She made the finals of the 200 and she ran a good race in the 100 trials too.”

Senior Jen Slabaugh placed fifth in the 1,600 for the Warriors in a time of 5:35.56. Sophomore Courtney Linnemeier was fifth in the 3,200 for Wawasee in a time of 12:19.65 and Slabaugh placed seventh in 12:28.72.

Sophomore Courtney Linnemeier placed fifth in the 3,200 for Wawasee in sectional action Tuesday night.