Shakeup for Relays

Fri, May 16 2008

— Reclassifying of teams for the 66th running of the Goshen Relays Saturday at Foreman Field means the Northridge Raiders will not be able to defend their Class B championship.
A year ago, there were 14 teams in Class A and 26 in B. This year there are 24 in A and 16 in B.
“We try to reclass every few years,” Goshen Athletic Director Larry Kissinger said. “The IHSAA reclassed for this school year so we did too. We are going to try and stay on schedule with the state.”
Field events and 3,200-meter relays start at 9 a.m.; high hurdles and 100 trials at 10.
Beginning at 11:45 a.m., there will be ceremonies including the induction of honorary referee Stu Swartz, 1967 GHS graduate; worker recognition, crowning of the queen and national anthem.
A series of running events then begin at noon.
Admission is $5 for ages 6-and-over. GHS all-sports and student activity cards will be honored.
Northridge totaled 88 points to win the B title last season.
The Raiders move up to A, joining Carroll, Concord, East Noble, Elkhart Central, Elkhart Memorial, Fort Wayne Northrop, Fort Wayne North Side, Fort Wayne Wayne, Gary West, Goshen, LaPorte, Michigan City, Mishawaka, New Prairie, NorthWood, Penn, Plymouth, South Bend Adams, South Bend Clay, South Bend Riley, South Bend Washington, Warsaw and Wawasee.
Northrop returned to the A winners’ circle last April after a two-year absence.
Class B schools are Bremen, Central Noble, Culver Military, Fairfield, Garrett, Gary Roosevelt, Jimtown, Lakeland, LaVille, Mishawaka Marian, Prairie Heights, South Bend St. Joseph’s, Wabash, West Noble, Westview and Whitko.
New Haven and Norwell dropped out and were replaced by LaPorte and Michigan City.
The LaPorte Slicers will probably be without senior distance standout Mike Fout who has not competed in a meet this season due to a stress fracture. The defending state cross country and 3,200-meter champion will be attending Florida State.
The only defending local champion is West Noble senior Jeff Wysong who won a Class B 1,600 race.
Third-year Goshen coach Brock Maust said, “We are looking forward to the Relays and the chance to compete. What we want to do is compete against the best, which is what every team wants to do in the Relays.”

Photos

Queen candidates and class representatives have been selected for the 66th running of the boys track and field Goshen Relays, to be contested Saturday at Foreman Field. From left are sophomore class representative Alaina Schwartz, senior queen candidates Kelsey Peters, Rachel Hollinger-Janzen and Kaila Stevens and junior class representative Katelyn Headings. Freshman class representative Meghan Neff was unavailable for the photo. THE GOSHEN NEWS