Boys track regional yields two local champs and other state qualifiers

Milan’s Benjamin Riehle (center) won the 400 dash at Greeenfield-Central by three one-thousandths of a second. Milan Athletics photo via Twitter @MilanAthletics.

There was no postseason baseball, softball nor girls tennis Thursday, but there was boys track and field.  At the Greenfield-Central Regional, it wasn’t a good scoring night for the local teams.  Franklin County placed the highest in eighth with 20 points.  Center Grove took home the team title with 137. Columbus North came in second with 84.

But the regional did yield some state qualifiers from our area, including a couple of champions.  To make it to the Saturday, June 4 state finals at Indiana University, an athlete can automatically qualify by placing in the top three of an event.  An athlete can also qualify for state if they meet the state standard or if their result is among the best of the rest to fill out 27 entrants for each event.

Those from our local area who had a top three finish and are state bound include:

  • 400 dash champion, Milan’s Benjamin Riehle who edged Amarion Sanders of Warren Central by three-one thousandths of a second with a time of 49.875.
  • Long jump champion, Franklin County’s Jacob Schatzle with a distance of 21’10”.  Second in the same event was Rising Sun’s Kendal Montgomery.
  • Second in the shot put, East Central’s Leo Maxwell.
  • Third in the 110 hurdles, Connersville’s Parker Sweet.
  • Third in the 400 relay, Lawrenceburg’s Hayden Saylor, Alexander Witte, Brayden Combs and Dahya Patel.

Advancing to state by meeting the qualifying standard in the high jump is Franklin County’s Chad Cox with a fourth place height of 6’5”.

Please click on this link for complete results of the Greenfield-Central Track and Field Regional.

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Unedited recaps from coaches…

Batesville’s Lisa Gausman- Unfortunately, the Batesville Boys 2022 Track Season came to an end last night, but not without a hard fight and many boys earning all time personal bests. The Bulldogs traveled to Greenfield-Central High School last night to compete at the Regional meet. Top 3 individuals automatically qualify for the state meet next week.

First on the track was the 4 x 800m relay. Despite running a personal best of the season, dropping their time by 10 seconds, the Dogs came up short getting 4th place. Running personal bests on the relay were Ean Loichinger, Jake Chapman, Daren Smith and Benjamin Moster. Placing 5th for the night was Benjamin Moster in the 1600m run, running a personal best by 2 seconds and the 4 x 400m relay. Although our 4 x 400m relay was in the slower heat of the two and came in seeded 13th place, they all ran personal bests, won their heat and ended up placing 5th! The team consisted of Gage Pohlman, Vonely Hund, Daren Smith and Benjamin Moster. Benjamin also placed in the 800m run snagging the last spot at 8th.

Other Bulldogs competing in our very tough Regionals were:
Chase Hamilton-discus (10th), throwing a personal best, Deacon Hamilton-110m hurdles (12th), Ean Loichinger-800m run (12th) and the 1600m run (13th), running a high school personal best, Eli Pierson-400m dash (13th) Jake Chapman-3200m run (14th) and Alex Murphy in pole vault.

Overall the Bulldogs placed 10th as a team with 30+ teams competing.  Congratulations on a great season boys!!!

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Connersville’s Jeff Cooley- The boys track and field team competed in the Greenfield Regional Thursday.  Carter Deboard finished 8th in the long jump. The 4×100 team of (Carter Deboard Micah Buchanan, Parker Sweet, Blaine Hornsby) finished 6th. Parker Sweet was 3rd in the 110 hurdles and advanced to the state meet next Saturday. The coaches wish to thank all of the team for a great year.

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Jac-Cen-Del’s Larry Hammond- Josh Pohle ran his final JCD race at the Greenfield Central regional. He improved his 3200 best run by 10 seconds (10:26.35). Thanks Josh for a great season!!

We thank everyone who contributed to the recap.