Early-season track meets are known for record performances the way they are warm weather.
Monday’s three-way meet at Whiteland lacked both, but that didn’t take away from the competitiveness of the Warriors hosting Mid-State Conference foe Franklin and future league member Perry Meridian.
The boys meet came down to the final event as Whiteland and Franklin were tied going into the 4×400 relay. The Grizzly Cubs won in a time of 3 minutes, 40 seconds to edge the hosts in overall points 61-59.
Franklin also prevailed in the girls meet, totaling 59.5 points for a four-point advantage against Perry Meridian.
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Click here to purchase photos from this gallery“Nick Riggles won both hurdles and was second in the long jump. (Tyler) Fromer won the 400, and, overall, a good effort from our guys,” Cubs coach Mike Hall said. “We’re awfully young. For a lot of them it’s their first varsity meet, so learning is probably our biggest accomplishment tonight.
“We’ll be better. We’ve got a lot of room to grow. We’re just glad to have a meet, and will take a lot of things back from this and be better down the road.”
Riggles, a senior, wasn’t fazed by the wind and chilly temperatures. A regional qualifier a year ago, he’s got a long season ahead to attempt to reach his goals.
The school record in the 300 hurdles is 39.15. Riggles, whose best effort is the 41.35 he ran at regional last spring, hopes to eventually make the standard his own.
“I love track meets. I’ve been looking forward to this since last season,” Riggles said. “Weather doesn’t really affect me. This is track weather, for sure. I was probably happiest with my 300 race. The last hurdle was a little rough, but all the other ones were smooth.”
Whiteland’s Preston Phillips won the 200-meter dash, while the Warriors boys squad also notched first-place points in the 4×800 relay.
Franklin’s girls effort was led by senior Kloie Doublin, who won the 100 and the long jump. Others taking first were Chloe Selking (800), Emma Treibic (1,600), Lillian Lacy (3,200) and Lauren Sandrock (100 hurdles).
Whiteland picked up three firsts in the field events — Reagan Emberton in the discus, pole vaulter Chloe Sanders and Michaela Adams in the shot put.
“We’ve got a lot of young kids, freshmen and sophomores who are going to run varsity for us, so I’ve been pleased with how they’ve responded,” Whiteland coach Brandon Bangel said. “I’ve been happy with the effort and the energy that we’ve had.”
