Tiger Track Team Eyes Goshen Relays
Warsaw boys track coach Matt Thacker wants to see his team get better on Saturday at the Goshen Relays.He also wouldn’t mind to have a little good weather for a change to compete in.
Thacker definitely has a much better chance of seeing the former rather than the latter.
The deep and talented Tigers will be one of the teams to beat in the Class A portion of the event set for Saturday at Foreman Field.
Warsaw, which was edged by Penn 84-83 for the team title in 2013, has been dominant in a spring marked by just awful weather conditions for the most part.
“Overall, the desire to continue to get better as individuals and as a team, plus, good weather,” said Thacker about what he wants to see from his team Saturday in the area’s largest relays event. Â “Our focus is to make ourselves better today than we were yesterday.”
The Tigers were pretty good again yesterday as a matter of face. Warsaw defeated host Elkhart Memorial and Goshen Thursday night to stay undefeated on the season and extend its Northern Lakes Conference winning streak to 24 straight meets.
Warsaw, which finished fifth at the State Finals a year ago after winning conference, sectional and regional championships, is 5-0 on the season. The Tigers opened the season by beating Penn 88-43 at home on April 1. Warsaw also edged the Kingsmen 76-73 last year to win the Kokomo Regional title.
“With the Goshen Relays you never really know, because the meet is not seeded based on time, distances or heights,” Thacker said. Â “Some races look good, while others you you hope for the best, but that is what makes the Goshen Relays exciting.”
Warsaw boasts a slew of talent this season, including a loaded senior class. Key performers for the Tigers in the field events include Seth Fouts (shot put), Stephen Kolbe (high jump) and Rashaan Jackson (long jump). Warsaw boasts outstanding track guys like sprinters Mike Miller and Tristan McClone, hurdler Dylan Campbell and distance star Ellis Coon. The Tigers also have outstanding relay teams, featuring standouts such as Gabe Furnivall, Tanner Balazs, Chad Goon and Ryan Goon.
Thacker says it’s about taking a smart approach too on Saturday with a key NLC meet at Wawasee Thursday.
“We are running to compete and hopefully challenge for the title,” remarked Thacker. Â “With that being said we also look to stay healthy at the end of the day.”
Wawasee will compete in the Class B portion of the Relays on Saturday. The Warriors defeated Plymouth 81-51 in NLC action Thursday night to improve to 3-0 in league action.
The Warriors, who are led by standouts Clayton Cook (sprints and hurdles) and JJ Gilmer (high jump and long jump), will not be at full strength Saturday as several team members are on a school trip.
The Class A field for Saturday includes Warsaw, Concord, Elkhart Central, Elkhart Memorial, Fort Wayne Carroll, Fort Wayne Wayne, Goshen, LaPorte, Michigan City, Mishawaka, Northridge, Penn, South Bend Adams, South Bend Clay and South Bend Riley.
Fairfield, which has won the relays title five years in a row, headlines the Class B field. Also in the mix are Wawasee, Bremen, Central Noble, Columbia City, CMA, East Noble, Garrett, Gary West, Glenn, Jimtown, Lakeland, LaVille, Mishawaka Marian, New Prairie, NorthWood, Plymouth, Prairie Heights, South Bend St. Joseph, South Bend Washington, Wabash, West Noble, Whitko and Westview.
Action in the 72nd running of the relays begins with field events at 9 a.m. The 3,200 relay is at 9:15, with track trials at 10 a.m. and finals at noon.
John Dechant will serve as the honorary referee for this year’s event. Dechant was the longtime wrestling coach at Goshen High School and also served as an assistant track coach. He will be honored Saturday at 11:45 a.m.
Admission to the relays is $5 per person (K-adult) and fans should park in the west parking lot at GHS.