Published: May 20, 2009 07:38 am      

Fairfield third, Goshen, Concord tie for fifth in girls track sectional

Fairfield placed third while Goshen and Concord tied for fifth in the IHSAA girls track and field sectional Tuesday night at Warsaw High School.

The host Lady Tigers (140 points) captured their third straight team championship.

The top four finishers in each event advance to next Tuesday’s regional at Bremen.

Fairfield has five individuals in four events and two relays moving on to the regional.

“This was a lot of fun. Our girls showed up and competed the whole way through the meet,” Fairfield coach Darin Holsopple said.

“We were hoping to get this many through to regional, but coming into a meet like this you never know.”

Moving on for the Falcons are junior Jade Bobeck in pole vault (first at 10-0), freshman Becca Kropf 100 hurdles (third in 16.72) and 300 hurdles (second in 48.25), senior Megan Miller 100 hurdles (fourth in 16.92), junior Emily Sharkey pole vault (second at 9-0) and freshman Emily Beasley 400 (fourth in 1:01.19).

Junior Diamond Setterberg, sophomore Katy Hawkins, freshmen Kelsie Graber and Lauren Waltman were third in the 4 x 800 relay (10:06.81); Kropf, Hawkins, junior Kelsea Hull and Beasley third in the 4 x 400 (4:08.78).

Bobeck tied the meet record in pole vault held by Alicia Fritschi of Northridge from 2007.

“Jade did not have her best night, but it was good enough to win,” Holsopple said. “When you tie the meet record against a field like this. that says something. She is the sectional champion for the second year in a row.”

Goshen advanced senior Heather Bronge in high jump (fourth at 5-1), senior Laura Sorg 800 (third in 2:28.22), sophomore Maranda Reed 300 hurdles (third in 48.56) and freshman Liana Yoder 200 (second in 27.40). Junior Lisa Bond, junior Jessica Schirch, freshman Juni Schirch and Sorg finished second in the 4 x 800 relay (10:05.05).

“It was not a bad night for us, but we had some things which were not quite as smooth as they were in the Northern Lakes Conference meet,” Goshen coach Bruce Bergdall said. “I’m happy with fifth place. That is respectable for us in this sectional field.

“Bronge has been very consistent all season in high jump. Sorg ran a very sound race. She was not happy with her time, but it was competitive. Reed ran a sound race with just a couple of minor areas that could be improved. Yoder was outstanding in the 200.”

Concord advanced junior Chloe Brooks in the 200 (first in 26.58) and 100 (second in 13.14) and freshman Melissa Dubois long jump (first at 16-6 1/4) and 100 (fourth in 13.51). Freshman Kylie Little, senior Cari McAfoos, juniors Abby Riley and Sheila Tomasbi were fourth in the 4 x 800 (10:07.43); Dubois, senior Callie Hartman, junior Brianna Bleiler and Brooks third in the 4 x 100 (51.02).

NorthWood advanced sophomore Ashley Johnson in the 100 (third in 13.49), sophomore Sarah Smeltzer high jump (third at 5-1) and senior Stefani Scherer pole vault (tied for fourth at 8-6).

Northridge senior Hanna Mercer moves on in the 1,600 (fourth in 5:33.79) and 3,200 (fourth in 11:57.24). Sophomore Erin Jones, sophomore Morgan Lewallen, junior Dana Christner and sophomore Annelise Berger placed fourth in the 4 x4 00 relay (4:10.08).

“We had a lot of girls in close situations. We got a lot of fifths in those situations,” Northridge coach Josh Fletcher said. “Those are tough to swallow, but I think we will learn a lot from this.”

Fletcher also expects senior Megan Hammel to move on in the 1,600 (fifth in 5:38.16).

“The Warsaw coach told me he is scratching Cendall Ogle in the 1,600,” Fletcher said.

Bethany Christian junior Emma Gerig placed third in the 200 (27.50). She is believed to be the first Bethany girl to ever advance to regional.

“We came here looking to advance her to the finals, but instead we get a trip to Bremen,” Bethany coach Benjamin Hurst said. “She is pretty excited.”

Wawasee senior Ashlee Ort qualified in the 800 (second in 2:22.00). Jimtown senior Emily Dean moves on in the 1,600 (third in 5:31.82) and 3,200 (second in 11:54.59).