Warsaw’s John Culbertson and Columbia City’s compete in the 110 hurdles prelims at the Goshen Boys Track Sectional. (Photos by Mike Deak)

GOSHEN – It took two days to decide, but the rain was kind enough to subside for long enough to complete the Goshen Boys Track Sectional late Friday night.

Thursday saw intermittent rain water down Foreman Field throughout the day and into the evening, with lightning putting a halt to action around 8:20 p.m. and then later stopping the meet with two events to go. The 4×400 relay and the shot put were all that needed to be finished, and were, Friday evening to complete the sectional.

Wawasee’s Isaiah Tipping sends the shot put during a runner-up performance.

Memorial won the team title with 88 points, edging out its soon to be teammates at Elkhart Central and the Blazers’ 84 points. Columbia City were third with 72 points, followed by Concord and Warsaw at 57, Goshen and Northridge at 55 and NorthWood at 52 in the 14-team field. Wawasee had 33 points.

Memorial had championships from Neil Terrell in the 1600 (4:29.21), Abe Boussaha in the 3200 (9:52.40), Javon Forester in the high jump (6-5), along with its 4×100 relay (43.19) and 4×800 relay (8:15.46).

Central had Jacob Holt double in both the 100 (11.55) and 200 (22.59), Kennath Dennis in the 400 (50.69) and the 4×400 relay return for a 3:24.19 title.

NorthWood’s Bronson Yoder won the most bittersweet title of the meet. The top seed coming into the long jump, Yoder cleared 22-02.5 to lead the field at that point. Yoder, however, would injure his hamstring during a landing, and had to bow out. His longest jump still afforded a title, but took the speedster out of NorthWood’s 4×100 relay and out of the 100 dash, to which NorthWood and Yoder were seeded second in each case coming into the meet. Yoder was carted out of the long jump area immediately after injuring his leg, then was later on crutches when he was announced to the crowd at Foreman as the long jump winner.

Wawasee’s Luke Griner began his return to state in the 800 with a title at Goshen. Griner, a state finalist a year ago, won his title Thursday night with a 1:54.21, a state standard time. Griner beat Warsaw’s Tanner Stiver by a full 2.5 seconds in a strong kick to the finish.

Lakeland Christian Academy’s Matthew Helton (far left) sprints in the 100 dash prelims.

Wrapping up championships at Goshen were Mason Puckett of Northridge in pole vault, who got the better of Warsaw’s Nick Bazzoni with a best vault of 13-4 to Bazzoni’s 13-0. Concord’s Jamyris Rice was a double winner in the hurdles, taking the 110 at 15.02 and 300 at 39.49. Columbia City’s Liam Hesting was also a double winner in throws, sending the discus 168-5 to win going away while Northern Lakes Conference champion Isaiah Tipping gave him a run in the shot put. Hesting would find a 54-11.5 in his arsenal, and Tipping also hit 54 feet, but was eight inches short of the lead mark, giving the Eagle strongman the title.

Warsaw had Alijah Wade qualify for regional with a second-place time of 22.73 in the 200.

NorthWood had Landon Parker also take an automatic qualifier in the 200 with third at 22.74, Brad Demitruk take third in pole vault at 12-6, and Garrett Anglemyer was third in shot put at 49-3.

Wawasee’s Spencer Hare was third in the 3200 at 9:58.34 to guarantee a spot in next week’s Kokomo Regional.

On the fringe for Warsaw includes Jacob Kissling in the 3200, Tyler Metzinger in the high jump, Nick Miller in shot put, Kyle Dawson in discus and its 4×100 relay. For NorthWood includes Garrett Miller in the 110 hurdles, Tyler Evers in the 1600 and the 4×800 relay. For Wawasee includes Jordan Grindle in the 100 and Michael Hammer in the 800.

Garrett Miller of NorthWood clears the hurdles alongside Goshen’s Tomas Fuentes during the 110 finals.