Prep Track & Field: Thrice As Nice
History has a way of repeating itself and it did Saturday at Murphysboro High School.
For the second straight season, Harrisburg finished in a tie at the top with Carbondale as both took top honors with 140 points.
Sparta was third with 107 points, while Murphysboro finished fourth at 83 points and Anna-Jonesboro was fifth with 47 points.
"Our leaders on the team have really stepped up with their work ethic and that is why we are doing well," Harrisburg head coach Zach Cox said. "I am unbelievably proud of our kids who are present every day and giving their best effort. What is frustrating is we have a few guys that are not committed 100 percent and that is why we did not win outright (Saturday). No matter how many times I tell them that everyone on our team matters, we have a few that don't buy in or just don't care. We have a chance to have one of the best teams to ever come through Harrisburg High School. Hopefully going forward we can get everyone on board."
The Bulldogs, who have now won three straight meets, had eight first place finishes, six of them on the individual side.
Austin Lowry won the pole vault with a leap of 13-feet, while Tylor Marler turned in a time of 15.18 in the 110 high hurdles and crossed the line in 41.72 to take the top spot in the 300 intermediate hurdles.
Dustin Lane won another event in the 100 meter dash, darting down the track in a time of 11.03 for the victory and won the 200 meter dash with a time of 22.91.
Michael Victoria took the 400 meters in a time of 51.93, while the 4x100 meter relay team of Aaron Stephens, Corbin Crim, Victoria and Lane finished with a time of 43.61. The 4x200 meter rely team of Cody Rightnowar, Stephens, Crim and Lane had a time of 1:31.5 for the top spot.
Three Bulldogs placed second as Kane Carrigan had a toss of 149-feet in the discus, while Cody Rightnowar had a time of 42.2 in the 300 intermediate hurdles. River Jordan finished the 1600 meters in a time of 4:59.
Carrigan took third in the shot put, throwing 50-feet-6, while Stephens was third in the 100 meter dash with a time of 11.48 and the 4x400 meter relay team of Stephens, Marler, Rightnowar and Hunter Smith were third with a time of 3:44.
Cox said a tweak by assistant coach Chris Berry has helped Marler in the hurdles, giving him a pair of PR's in his two events.
"Coach Berry tweaked a couple things and it really seemed to help Marler maintain speed between the hurdles. Our throwers had an outstanding day as we had 3 PR's from each of the three boys. Carrigan went 50-feet-6 in the shot, (Jared) Barger went 46-feet-9 in the shot and Jordan Bartok went 110-feet in the discus.
"Corbin ran a couple really nice splits on the relays and he looks full strength finally. We have been winning without him and that shows how good we really could be as he scored the most team points for us a year ago. It would be nice to have our whole team at 100 percent going up to Mascoutah Friday night which will be a real test for us."
The Bulldogs return home today (Tuesday) to host their own Invitational, participating against Anna-Jonesboro, Eldorado, Massac County, Carmi-White County and West Frankfort.