Prep Track & Field: Home Sweet Home
It was the third straight weather-shortened event, but the Harrisburg High School boys track team put in a solid effort.
Rained out after 11 events, the Bulldogs were the top team, finishing with 131 points at Tuesday's Harrisburg Invitational.
Anna-Jonesboro was second with 71 points, while Herrin came in third with 64 points. West Frankfort (51), Massac County (16) and Eldorado (3) rounded out the teams.
"Unfortunately this is three in a row for us now in meets getting cancelled or called early due to weather or other circumstances," Harrisburg head coach Zach Cox said. "This really is a nice little mid-week meet for us so I wished we could have gotten it in. More importantly, I wish our Harrisburg fans could have got the opportunity to watch us at home and see in person that we have some talented boys."
Three individuals and two relay teams took the top spot as Dustin Lane won a pair of events, finishing first in the 100 meter dash in a time of 10.76, which was a personal record and went 20-feet-6 in the long jump.
Austin Lowry had an outdoor personal record in the pole vault, clearing 13-feet-9, while Kane Carrigan won both the shot put and discus with throws of 48-feet-7 and 151-feet-5 respectively.
The 4x800 meter relay team of Mitch Daniels, Adarsh Manawa, Donny Hicks and Aiden Blades won with a time of 9:01, while the 4x100 relay team of Cody Rightnowar, Corbin Crim, Aaron Stephens and Lane had a time of 43.88.
Grabbing a second place finish was River Jordan (3200 meter, 11:05), Rightnowar (110 high hurdles, 15.81), Derek Rivers (Pole Vault, 11-feet-6) and Crim (100 meters, 11.15)
Placing third was Jared Barger (shot put, 44-feet-1), Seth Thai (3200 meter, 11:47), Tylor Marler (110 high hurdles, 15.82) and Daniels (800 meters, 2:16.9).
"We had another day of some great times and distances," Cox added. "It is tough to get up for a small meet in the middle of the week and compete well. Carrigan had another really nice throw in the discus, Lane had a big PR in the 100M and Crim was right behind him at 11.1. Our relays could be tough with those two guys.
"Lowry was jumping at what would have been a 2A state best performance in the pole vault at 14'3". He just missed it today, but when he clears it he will become the No. 2 vaulter in school history. Rivers had a PR in the vault today as well. Our kids did an excellent job today in helping with all the particulars of a home meet. I have to tip my hat to them on their responsibility to the team and meet today."
Harrisburg is scheduled to compete in the Mascoutah Invitational beginning Friday afternoon.