Lexi O’Connell and Tippecanoe Valley opened its 2016 track season at NorthWood Tuesday night. (Photos by Mike Deak)

NAPPANEE – It was warm, but as it typically is at Andrews Field, the wind was a whippin’ for Tuesday track meets between Tippecanoe Valley and host NorthWood. As the 20-30 mile-per-hour head wind dipped times likely much below expectation, NorthWood still built itself a pair of convincing wins to be happy about in both the girls and boys duals.

NorthWood trumped the girls matchup, 78-27, and destroyed in the boys contest, 101-12.

Bailey Gessinger of NorthWood

The NorthWood boys were very impressive for its first meet of the season. Claiming first in every event, four individuals won a pair of events to lead the Panther attack. Bailey Gessinger ripped off wins in the 100 (11.25) and 200 (22.79) dashes, Ryan Price paced the 800 (2:15.78) and mile (5:12.27), Derek Parker rolled in both hurdles, the 110 (16.91) and the 300 (41.44), and Caleb Newcomer led the throwers in shot put (44-03) and discus (126-09).

Other winners for NorthWood included Garrett Griffin (400 – 54.34), Kyle Luster (high jump – 5-4), Austin Shapland (pole vault – 10-01), Bronson Yoder (long jump – 19-0), and Tyler Evers (two-mile – 11:40.62). The Panthers also claimed wins in the 4×800, 4×100 and 4×400 races.

NorthWood had three girls take two Tuesday against Tippecanoe.

Erika Stutzman claimed wins in the 800 (2:37.28) and mile (6:04.78), Taitlyn Trenshaw won the 400 (1:05.37) and soared in the long jump (15-02.5), and Riley Hershberger took both the 100 (20.37) and 300 (52.11) hurdles.

Kenzie Moran won the 100 (13.59) and Andrea Tuttle took pole vault at 9-0. The Lady Panthers claimed all three of the relays as well.

Tippecanoe Valley did have success at the finish line in one event, where Lexi O’Connell won the 200 dash at 27.89 and nearly caught Hershberger at the line in the 100 hurdles, running 20.39.

Makayla Ruiz won two events in the field for the Lady Vikings, taking both throwing events with a 78-10 toss in discus and 31-10.5 send in shot put. Olivia Smith claimed another win for Valley with a 4-6 finish in high jump, besting Trenshaw on jumps.

Tippecanoe Valley will return to action in three weeks, specifically April 14, with a Three Rivers Conference matchup at Manchester.