INDIANAPOLIS — As Rachel Brougher raced through a grueling 3,200 meters Friday night, she had an inspiration.
Competing for the first time since the passing of her grandfather, Robert Brougher, on Sunday, Rachel Brougher ran away with the longest race of the evening. The Columbus North junior ran 11 minutes, 20.48 seconds to take the 3,200 in the Conference Indiana meet at Southport.
“He was always the first person that asked me how I was doing after a race,” Brougher said. “He was the first person I called, so I just kept him on my mind the whole time and that kept me going. He was my role model and probably the best man I’ve ever known. So I always keep him in mind when I race.”
Brougher was one of the few bright spots for the Bull Dog girls. Katrina May won the pole vault at 11 feet, 9 inches, but North tied for sixth out of eight teams.
The Bull Dog boys came in third with 104 points. Franklin Central outscored Bloomington South 116-111 for the title.
May had a little trouble in defending her conference pole vault title. She made her second attempt at 10-6, 11-0 and 11-6 and her third try at 11-9.
“Today, I would say I’m not quite as consistent as I normally am,” May said. “I’m a little worn from this week. We had a pretty hard week of practice. We’re just looking to the postseason for the most part. Today, it was great to come out here for the team and just be able to vault a little higher than I did last year.”
Sierra Lax finished second in the 1,600 in 5:16.22. Nina Bouthier took third in the 3,200 (11:32.88), and Jahna Smiley tied for third in the high jump (5-0).
The North boys didn’t have any individual winners but did have a few runners-up. Finishing second were Drew Schoeberl in the discus (161-4), Bryce Ables in the 300 hurdles (40.56), Chandler Steward in the 800 (1:59.80) and Ben Rankin in the 3,200 (9:39.26).
The Bull Dogs also finished second in the 4×100 relay (43.68). Harley Huser was third in the high jump (6-0).
“I thought the kids had a lot of solid performances,” North coach Lou Sipe said. “This is a very competitive track meet, so I thought the kids came out and did very well.”
Bloomington South won the girls meet with 140 points to 105 for runner-up Bloomington North.
