All signs are pointing to a three-way battle on the boys side Friday night when Columbus North competes in Conference Indiana track and field meet at Bloomington North.
The host Cougars are ranked No. 14 in this week’s Indiana Association of Track and Cross Country Coaches poll. The Bull Dogs are right behind at No. 15, while Bloomington South is No. 20.
Columbus North is looking for its first-ever Conference Indiana boys track championship.
“The conference is pretty talented,” North coach Lou Sipe said. “If our guys perform, I think we have as good a shot as anybody to win.”
The No. 13 Franklin Central girls are the only ranked girls team in the field. The Flashes likely will battle with Bloomington North and Bloomington South for the title.
A top-four finish certainly is a possibility for the Bull Dogs.
“You always are looking to perform above your seed,” Sipe said. “You have to make sure you’re fighting for every spot possible because every spot matters.”
Friday’s meet is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m.
East senior sets record
T.C. O’Neal had a big night at Tuesday’s Seymour Track and Field Invitational. Not only did the Columbus East senior win three individual events, he set a school record in the process.
O’Neal’s leap of 6 feet, 7 1/2 inches broke the Olympians’ high jump record. He also won the long jump and 400 meters and anchored the winning 4×400 relay team.
East won the meet in a field that included four of the eight Hoosier Hills Conference teams.
Speer takes BN boys job
Former Columbus North boys basketball coach Jason Speer is moving from girls coach to boys coach at Bloomington North.
After leading the Cougar girls to a 1-22 record in his first year, they improved to 5-18 this season under Speer. He went 115-48 in seven seasons with the Bull Dog boys, leading them to a sectional title in 2013.
Speer takes over for Andy Hodson, who is giving up his coaching duties to focus on his responsibilities as athletics director.
Jets hosting Rhyder Day
Hauser’s softball game against Southwestern (Shelby) on Friday will be Rhyder Day.
The Jets hosted a benefit last year after Rhyder Campbell, a 7-month-old Hope resident died last April. The softball team will take donations in lieu of admission on Friday.
“It’s a good chance for the girls to try to give back to the community,” Hauser coach Craig Sims said.
Callout meetings scheduled
Several Columbus East and Columbus North sports programs are holding callout meetings in the coming days.
The East girls soccer team will have its callout meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the school’s cafeteria. All players who are interested in playing soccer at Columbus East next year and their parents are encouraged to attend. The coaching staff will provide information regarding the program, expectations, preseason and season schedules. For more information, call coach Ilya Schwartzman at 812-378-9938.
East will host a meeting for parents of eighth-grade girls interested in playing golf for the Olympians this fall at 6 p.m. May 8 in Room 103 of the school.
The North girls soccer callout meeting will be from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m. May 11 in the school’s cafeteria.
Also, incoming freshman interested in trying out for the North girls golf team next year need to contact coach Scott Seavers at [email protected] or 812-371-2348 for more information.
Games moved, rescheduled
Columbus North’s baseball game, which had been scheduled for Friday at Cathedral, has been moved to a home game for the Bull Dogs. North will host the Irish at 6 p.m. at Southside Elementary.
North’s home girls tennis match with Southport, which was rained out last week, has been rescheduled for 6 p.m. Monday.
Also, Hauser’s baseball game scheduled for May 4 at Indian Creek has been moved to May 5.
