Published: April 19, 2008 10:20 pm         

Raiders 2nd to Northrop

The Fort Wayne Northrop Bruins continued their Class A dominance in the 66th running of the Goshen Relays for high school boys track and field Saturday at Foreman Field.

Northrop totaled 73 points to capture the team title for a second straight year and seventh in the last nine. Northridge, last year’s Class B winner, was second at 66.

“We didn’t know what to expect,” Northrop coach Fred Blanks said. “We had some kids step up, but overall it was a solid team effort. This meet is not about firsts, but seconds, thirds and so on. Those points add up.”

Northridge coach Ryan McClane said, “We were caught off guard by finishing second. I was not sure what to expect.

“A few years ago when we were in A we finished 15th or 16th. We performed really well on the track. It was an amazing day.”

The host Goshen Redskins were 13th with 39 points.

“It was a great day to be a Redskin,” Goshen coach Brock Maust said. “This is the highest point total we have had in my three years.”

Goshen’s 4 x 800-meter relay of junior Cameron Miller, freshman Luke Jacobs, freshman Tyler Wynn and senior Michael Murto got the Redskins off to a good start by winning the first event of the day in a time of 8:07.64.

The same foursome also finished first in the distance medley relay (10:54.7).

“Our day was highlighted by a very solid performance from the distance crew,” Maust said. “They have proven to be the heart-and-soul of this team.”

Logan Griffith of South Bend Adams tallied 231/4 points to earn the high-point trophy.

Corey Shank of Northrop set the only record of the day by clearing 16-1 in pole vault, breaking the mark of 16-0 by Brian Kimball of Northrop in 1976.

Northridge also got off to a good start by winning the second 4 x 800 relay in 8:06.37 from junior Andrew Albert, freshman Trevor Moore, junior Mitch Keyser and senior Ladd Mercer.

“Winning the 4 x 800 set the tone for us,” McClane said. “That is the first time we have ever put those four together.”

Mercer finished first in a 1,600 in 4:19.31 ahead of Craig Padgett of Mishawaka (4:22.00).

“It was an awesome race, but without Padgett I’m not sure I could have pushed on the last lap,” Mercer said. “He (Padgett) came out of nowhere on the third lap.”

McClane said, “Ladd was excellent in the 1,600. He is definitely going to be very hard to replace next year.”

Northridge also picked up a first from Albert, Keyser, junior Seth Virgil and Mercer in the 4 x 400 (3:30.68).

“Mercer anchored the 4 x 400, but it was Virgil on the third leg who got us the lead. He went from fifth to first,” McClane said. “It’s only the second time he has very run the 400.”

Virgil placed second in long jump (22-11 1/2) when Malcolm Pennix of SB Washington jumped 23-5 on his final attempt.

“That was a heartbreaker,” McClane said. “Virgil jumped 22-11 on his first jump. That is what we have been working on, getting that first jump so he can be more aggressive on the rest.”

NorthWood placed first in a sprint medley relay as sophomore Kyle Yoder, junior Justin Chupp, senior Alex Rethlake and sophomore Mike Pattico finished in 1:39.98.

NorthWood was competing without senior sprinter Kent Biller, who injured a hamstring last Tuesday.

“I was not sure what to expect with Biller out,” NorthWood coach Adam Yoder said. “Biller would have been on the track four times for us.

“We did not score in six events, but my assistant coaches have been telling me this is a team suited for big meets. We have a state-caliber pole vaulter (senior James Reynolds), a quality hurdler (senior Robby Burns) and some depth.”

Burns won a 300 intermediate hurdle race (40.91).

“I got out to a fast start,” Burns said. “This is exciting since it’s the first time I’ve won at the Relays. The worst part of the 300 hurdles is the race never ends. You come around the corner and hit the wall.”

Wawasee senior Ryan Smythe won a 1,600 (4:29.48).

“I had already run the 4 x 800 early so my goal in the 1,600 was time,” he said. “This is my first individual win at the Relays and it feels great. I won at the Northrop Relays, but that does not compare to winning here.”