Rain and cold weather wiped out Columbus North’s first three meets of the track and field season, but the Bull Dogs are making up for lost time.
In only its second meet for the entire team, North looked to be in midseason form Thursday when it posted dual-meet wins at Columbus East. The Bull Dogs won the boys meet 92-40 and the girls meet 82-50.
“Obviously, it was frustrating losing those meets early, but I think the kids have responded, trying to stay focused,” North boys and girls coach Lou Sipe said. “For the second meet out, I was really proud of how the kids competed. We were focused tonight.”
The Bull Dog boys won 13 of the 16 events, including all three relays, on its way to victory. Logan Abbott in the shot put (47 feet, 6 inches) and discus (137-2) and Damon Hunter Jr. in the 100 meters (10.9 seconds) and 200 (22.7).
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Other winners for the North boys were Brigham Kleinhenz in the pole vault (13-0), Preston Terrell in the high jump (6-2), Ben Malone in the 110 hurdles (16-5), Sam Horak in the 1,600 (4:37.0), Drew Thompson in the 800 (2:05.0) and John Slyus in the 3,200 (10:05.0). The Bull Dogs ran 8:38.0 in the 4×800 relay, 43.4 in the 4×100 relay and 3:36.3 in the 4×400 relay.
Mark McDonald jumped 20-2 3/4 to lead a 1-2-3 Olympians sweep in the long jump. East’s Luke Poindexter took the 400 (52.8), and Owen Rupp captured the 300 hurdles (41.5).
“We’re competing hard,” East boys coach Scott Pherson said. “We’re still learning what all we’re doing. We’re still mixing some guys in here and there. (North) got us tonight, and they did a great job.”
Sami Heathcote led the Bull Dog girls with wins in the pole vault (9-6) and 100 hurdles (17.1). Other winners for North were Jahna Smiley in the high jump (5-0), Emily Herndon in the shot (30-8 1/2), La’monica Smith in the 100 (12.8), Arig Tong in the 1,600 (5:39.4), Kirsten Ballard in the 800 (2:40.0) and Olivia Morlok in the 3,200 (11:57.9). The Bull Dogs also took the 4×800 (10:36.9) and 4×100 (51.9) relays.
The Olympians won six events, including the closing 4×400 relay (4:30.4). Individual winners were Adi Minor in the long jump (15-2), Caitlyn Lucas in the discus (98-10), Yami Diaz in the 400 (1:04.9), Katie Hagan in the 300 hurdles (51.0) and Sydney Wilson in the 200 (27.1).
“I told the girls they can’t be disappointed when they’re doing the things we’re doing, getting (personal records) and season bests,” East girls coach Glen Brown said. “North has a good team. We’ve ran against Bloomington South, Bloomington North, Columbus North — three really good teams — and it’s hard to win those. But we did good.”
