BLOOMINGTON – It was quite the graduation and going away gift all rolled into one for Ann Harvuot Friday night.

It almost got her and a trio of talented teammates to the top of the podium too.

The Warsaw 4 X 100 relay team, anchored by senior Harvuot, turned in an amazing race to earn a state runner-up finish at the IHSAA State Finals held at the Robert C. Haugh Track and Field Complex at Indiana University.

The foursome of Harvuot, along with junior Mariah Harter and sophomores Samantha Alexander and Audrey Rich stunned even themselves with the race of the season.

The Tigers’ team shattered their own school record by clocking in at 47.62, almost a second faster than the old mark of 48.52, which they set just 10 days earlier at the Warsaw Regional. The quality quartet, which was seeded sixth in the event, opened a whole bunch of eyes with its second-place finish. Warren Central won the relay state title in 47.33.

Harvuot, who did not qualify for State a year ago, missed commencement ceremonies Friday back at WCHS.

“We wanted a special moment today and we got it,” said Harvout. “I could never has asked for anything better than this. It’s a perfect ending for me. All the hard work paid off.

“I was in total shock at the end. I just wanted us to be on the podium (a top nine finish). It was our best race of the year. Our handoffs were just killer.”

Harter started the relay with the opening leg. Aleaxander then took the second one, followed by Rich and Harvuot.

“We wanted to do this for Ann,” said Alexander. “We all adore her and she deserves this. I know she is so happy and there’s nothing better than that to me.

“I never thought we would place so high. I can’t believe it happened. It’s a dream. I’m so proud of our handoffs today. We worked so hard on those.”

Rich said her focus was improving on their seed time of 48.52.

“I’m still in shock,” Rich said. “We were focused on one thing and that’s having a good ending to our season. It was a combination of really good handoffs and amazing legs. We ran our butts off today. It’s a great graduation present for Ann.”

Harter was ecstatic after failing to make it down the last two years in a relay.

“It feels amazing to do this after the last couple of years and the crazy things that got in our way of being here,” Harter remarked. “I’ve been trying to get here the last three years. This is definitely going to motivate me for next year.  I’m just so happy for Ann.”

Junior Nicole Eckert placed 11th in the 300 hurdles in a time of 45.46 for the Tigers.

Senior Claire Hickerson cleared 10-3 and was 19th in the final standings in the pole vault competition.

The Warsaw 4 X 800 team of sophomores Brooke Rhodes and Hannah Dawson and freshmen Allison Miller and Anna Craig placed 13th in 9:32.15.

The 4 X 400 relay team of sophomore Dawson, juniors Eckert and Tennie Worrell and senior Jackie Ferguson concluded the meet with a 14th place finish in a time of 4:02.25.

Warsaw scored eight points to finish in 30th place in the team standings. Lawrence Central won the team title with 47 points.

“I just give our girls a lot of credit in that 4 X 100,” said Warsaw coach Scott Erba. “To come here and drop almost a second on the biggest stage. That’s stepping up. That’s bananas.

“It never crossed my mind that they would lead the race and finish as state runner-up. We wanted their best race and to get on the podium would have been even better.  They had three incredible exchanges. It’s a great way for Ann to finish a great career. She can leave and feel very good.

“We hit a lot of our goals today. The 4 X 800 ran a better time. Nicole dropped her time in the hurdles and had a personal best. That was phenomenal by her. It was a season best time by the 4 X 400.”

Whitko junior Elaine Warner competed in the long jump. She had a top jump of 15-10.25 to finish in 25th place.

Other area individuals placing Friday night included Concord senior Jessica O’Connell (7th in the 300 hurdles), Elkhart Memorial junior Deanna Cornelius (7th in the shot put) and Lakeland freshman Kloee Fitch (7th in the discus).

The Plymouth 4 X 800 relay team notched a ninth-place finish with an outstanding effort.  The quartet of juniors Libby Read and Abby Patrick, sophomore Brooke Wagner and freshman Rachel Crawford clocked in at 9:28.07, almost 10 seconds faster than their previous top time.

There were a pair of state record performances.

Mishawaka junior Anna Rohrer claimed the 3,200 for the second straight year in a time of 10:14.43. That eclipsed the old state mark of 10:20.66 set by Waverly Neer of Culver Academies in 2011.

Symone Black, a senior from Fort Wayne Concordia, set a new standard in winning the 300 hurdles. Her time of 41.36 bettered the previous state record mark of 42.03 set by Skyler Carpenter of Westview in 2011.