Published: April 16, 2008 09:57 am         

GHS track boys nip Concord

Senior Zach Prater, juniors Thomas Gingerich and Cameron Miller were double winners as the Goshen Redskins defeated the Concord Minutemen, 70-62, in a Northern Lakes Conference track meet Tuesday night at Foreman Field.

Prater captured the 110-meter high hurdles (16.49) and pole vault (9-6), Gingerich shot put (44-0) and discus (114-5) and Miller the 400 (52.49) and 1,600 (4:42.01).

The Redskins were competing short-handed.

“There were some suspensions, but the ones who showed up tonight were great,” Goshen coach Brock Maust said. “Prater came up with some big points in hurdles and vault and Gingerich was big time in shot and discus.

“The throws were a bright spot. Seven of the 10 guys in the discus had personal bests as did nine of 11 in shot. That is a bright future.

“Miller was huge for us. He was running the 400 for the very first time.”

Concord coach Jeff Payne (former GHS runner) said, “We were in the position to win this meet and we chose not too. We had a lot of nice performances, but not nearly enough.

“I was impressed with Goshen. They have a good team and Coach Maust is building a program.”

Goshen senior Michael Murto won the 800 (2:01.63) and freshman Tyler Wynn in the 3,200 (10.25.54). Junior Carmelo Castillo, Miller, freshman Carson Roberts and Wynn finished first in the 4 x 800 relay (8:21.83).

“Our focus all week has been coming out and competing. We did that,” Maust said. “The 4 x 800 relay got us off to a good start.

“Wynn continues to be phenomenal in the distance events. We are using him in four events and getting the most from him. (Senior) Brook Goodman (second in the 100 in 12.06) and third in the 200 in 24.44) had a good night despite not running the sprints for some time. (Junior) Ross Yeater (second at 5-8) continues to score points in high jump.”

Concord winners were seniors Brandon Nance long jump (19-6 1/2), Pete Shoemaker 200 (23.75), Wes Smith 100 (11.79), freshmen Clinton McCray high jump (5-10) and Anthony Yoder 300 hurdles (42.77).

“Smith scored some big points for us and I was impressed with Yoder in the hurdles,” Payne said.

Smith, junior Garrett Holmes, Shoemaker and Nance finished first in the 4 x 100 relay (46.22). Freshman Eric McCray, Clinton McCray, sophomore Todd Dion and freshman Steve Mulroy won the 4 x 400 relay (3:38.43).

Mulroy held off Murto on the final lap for the Concord victory.

“Mulroy gave an incredible effort in the 4 x 400, holding off a senior to win,” Payne said. “It was pleasing that he found the energy to do that.”