Tiger Track Teams Eye State Finals
WARSAW – Matt Thacker has talked all along about his senior class leaving a legacy for the Warsaw boys track program.
The group of stellar seniors will get one last chance to shine Saturday on the state’s grandest stage.
The Tigers will look to make a lot of noise, led by that senior class, at the State Finals at Indiana University in Bloomington. The meet begins at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Robert C. Haugh Track and Field Complex.
Warsaw, which was the favorites in winning the conference, sectional and regional meets, will need to take a slightly different approach for Saturday according to their coach.
“We have to take the attitude of the underdog and relish it,” said Thacker at practice on Monday. “On paper, Hamilton Southeastern, Ben Davis and Carmel have the numbers. But, the expectation for us is to be on the podium. The opportunity is there.”
Warsaw earned a fifth-place team finish at State in 2013, the best in program history.
“We talked before the sectional, especially with the seniors, about having no regrets,” Thacker said. “Most of our kids have been down there before. If the stars line up for us, it’s hard telling what could happen Saturday.”
Warsaw won its second straight regional title and third in the last four years in thrilling fashion last Thursday. The Tigers’ 4 X 400 relay team beat Penn in the final event of the night at South Bend St. Joseph to give Warsaw a one-point win over the Kingsmen for bragging rights.
The Tigers will send a quality group to Bloomington. Warsaw will be represented in all three relay events with the foursome of seniors Ismael Calderon and Tyler Houvener and juniors Nick Bergen and Daniel Messenger in the 4 X 800. The all-senior 4 X 100 relay team of Michael Miller, Tristan McClone, Tanner Balazs and Gabe Furnivall are in the fast heat at State, while the 4 X 400 team of Furnivall, seniors Ryan and Chad Goon and sophomore Landan Perry will compete too.
Warsaw will have athletes in four individual events Saturday. The outstanding duo of Miller and McClone, who placed third and fourth respectively at the regional, are in the 100-meter dash. Senior standout Ellis Coon will compete in the 1,600, with Furnivall in the 400 and senior Stephen Kolbe is in the high jump for the third time in his outstanding high school career.
“All of these seniors hold a special place for me,” said Thacker. “It’s always hard to say good-bye to your seniors, but this year is really going to be tough for me.”
Action for the boys Saturday starts with the pole vault, long jump and discus events at 3 p.m. The 3,200 relay finals are scheduled for 4:15, with track trials starting at 5 and track finals at 6:15.
Warsaw Girls In Action Friday
The Warsaw ladies will showcase their skills first at State.
The girls’ portion of the Finals is set for Friday at IU with the Tigers sending a strong contingent of talent to Bloomington.
Warsaw used a complete team performance to win its third straight regional championship at home on May 27.
Coach Scott Erba’s team will be led at State by its record-setting 4 X 100 relay team. The fab four of senior Ann Harvuot, junior Mariah Harter and sophomores Samantha Alexander and Audrey Rich won the regional crown in a school and regional record performance of 48.52.
Warsaw is sending all three of its relay teams to IU. The 4 X 800 team of sophomores Brooke Rhodes and Hannah Dawson and freshmen Allison Miller and Anna Craig placed second at the regional. The 4 X 400 relay foursome of senior Jackie Ferguson, juniors Tennie Worrell and Nicole Eckert and sophomore Dawson will compete too.
The Tigers have a pair of individuals in events. Eckert will compete in the 300 hurdles, while senior Claire Hickerson is in the pole vault for the second time in the last three years.
The girls’ State Finals will follow the same time schedule as the boys. Action starts Friday with the pole vault, long jump and discus at 3 p.m. The 3,200 relay finals are set for 4:15, with track trials at 5 and track finals at 6:15.
Whitko will also be represent at the State Finals Friday night. Junior Elaine Warner is slated to compete in the long jump for the Wildcats. Warner placed ninth at the Fort Wayne Northrop Regional on May 27, but her top leap of 17-6.5 was good enough to meet the state standard to qualify.