Prep T&F: Good Out Of The Gate

Thanks in part to seven first place finishes, the Harrisburg High School boys' track and field team took first place overall out of seven teams at the Carterville Invitational over the weekend in what was a cold meet with temperatures not reaching 50 degrees.

Kane Carrigan - who recently signed a National Letter of Intent to throw the shot put and discus for the Navy - brought home two first place finishes, while Corbin Crim, Dustin Lane, Cody Rightnowar and the 4x200 meter relay team had first place finishes as well.

Carrigan throw 50-feet-5 in the shot put and had a toss of 139-feet-3 in the discus.

Also in the field events, Lane went 20-feet in the long jump for top spot and Kody Cavender cleared 10-feet in the pole vault, also claiming a personal record for another first place finish.

On the track Crim ran the 200 meter dash in a time of 22.6 for first place, while Rightnowar had a time of 41.2 in the 300 intermediate high hurdles and the 4x200 meter relay team of Aaron Stephens, Xavier Doss, Lane and Crim had a time of 1:34.4.

There were four second place finishes on the day for the Bulldogs as the 4x400 meter team of Chris Williams, Hunter Smith, Tylor Marler and Rightnowar had a time of 3:42.8 and Marler had a second place finish in the 300 Intermediate hurdles, finishing behind Rightnowar at 42.1.

Niko Neal had a second place showing in the 110 high hurdles, finishing with a time of 15.5. Lane had a time of 11.3 in the 100 meter hurdles for second place, while Jared Barger was second in the shot put with a heave of 45-feet-11.

"It was nice to come out on top today and get a first place finish for our team," Harrisburg head coach Zach Cox said. "The conditions were unfavorable so we knew the times and distances weren't going to be our best. We still had some inconsistencies and are desperately looking for someone to bust out with a big day. Our young guys are the ones setting some personal records and it has helped, but I am ready for some of our seniors to have their breakout performances."

In addition to Cavender's PR in the Pole Vault, Christian Murray also had a PR, finishing at 12:53 in the 3200 meter run and Justin Womack had a PR of 2:29 in the 800 meter run.

Cox said that this coming week will be a good measuring stick for his track and field team as they are competing in the Herrin Invite Wednesday, along with three other South Seven (Class 3A) schools and conclude the week at the Granite City Invitational on Friday.

"I have a feeling this week will be an indication of how well we are going to compete against other good teams and competitors this year," Cox said. "It's all good when you are the front runner but the best athletes shine against the best competition. Plain and simple, it is time for our boys to step up their performance. As a coach I am very excited about the opportunity in front of us this week."