By TODD REED
News Leader Sports Editor
The Lady Lions improved to 3-1-1 with a 78-50 win over Marlington in an NBC track dual held last week.
Placing first for Minerva were Kassidy Hardgrove in the 100 (13.1), 200 (27.6) and 400 (1:02.9); Nicole Christner in the 100 hurdles (17.6); Emily Mapes in the 800 (2:34.1); Brittney Yost in the high jump (4'8); and Ashley Evanich in the discus (119'6).
Relay firsts went to the 4x200 (1:53.7) consisting of Aliysha Stermer, Yost, Melissa Evanich and Angela Grindstaff; and the 4x400 (5:03.9) consisting of Amanda Brown, Aliya Murphy, Sally Schmachtenberger and Julie Russell.
Placing second were Murphy in the 100 hurdles (17.8), Emily DePalmo in the 1600 (5:50.3) and 3200 (12:53.5), M. Evanich in the 400 (1:04.9) and 200 (27.8), Addie Riley in the 300 hurdles (52.2), Yost in the long jump (16'5), Christner in the high jump (4'8), Heather Evanich in the discus (105'1) and A. Evanich in the shot (30'9).
Thirds went to Hillary Carle in the 100 hurdles (17.9), Hannah Riley in the 100 (13.6) and Christner in the 300 hurdles (53.1).
"This was a good win for the girls, and technically, we still have a shot for the NBC title," commented Head Coach Tom Stafford. "We have to remain focused and win the rest of our meets. The girls continue to improve each week."
Two school records were broken at the Marlington Relays.
A. Evanich threw the discus 125'2 to break Toni Roberts' 2001 record of 124'3, and the foursome of Hardgrove, Stermer, Grindstaff and M. Evanich ran the 4x200 in 1:49.3, breaking the previous 1998 mark of 1:50.2, which was held by Lori Prendergast, Amy Hagan, Michelle Vinez and Michelle Garrett.
The Lady Lions finished second with 91 points. Canfield won the title with a score of 98.
Firsts went to the discus relay of A. Evanich, H. Evanich and Kayla Scott; the 4x200 relay of Hardgrove, Stermer, Grindstaff and M. Evanich; the sprint medley of Grindstaff, Stermer, M. Evanich and Hardgrove; and the 4x100 of Emily Barrick, Stermer, Yost and H. Riley.
Placing second were the distance medley consisting of Emily Mapes, Brown, Erica Toussant and DePalmo; the long-jump relay of Christner, Stermer and Yost; and the shot relay of A. Evanich, H. Evanich and Scott.
Thirds went to the 4x1600 consisting of Toussant, Schmachtenberger, Tessa DiGiacomo and DePalmo; the 4x800 of Mapes, Taylor Maurer, DePalmo and Toussant; and the 4x400 of M. Evanich, Maurer, Grindstaff and Hardgrove.
Finishing fourth were the 4x100 shuttle hurdles consisting of Christner, A. Riley, Murphy and Carle; and the high-jump relay of Kathy Slack, Christner and Yost.
A. Riley finished sixth in the 300 hurdles.
"This was a fun night and we had fun moving individuals around and trying new things," noted Coach Stafford.
Boys Track and Field
In a battle of unbeatens, Marlington came out on top by a score of 78-50.
Getting wins for Minerva were Jordan Cox in the 110 hurdles (15.8) and 300 hurdles (41.6), Ryan Kohler in the 100 (11.4) and 200 (23.7), Nathan Coldsnow in the high jump (6') and the 4x200 (1:35) consisting of Joey Wimsatt, Jake Brown, Taylor Moore and Ryan Kohler.
Seconds went to Clint Ford in the 100 (11.6), 200 (23.9) and 400 (52.6); Coldsnow in the 110 hurdles (15'9); and Aaron Roberts in the high jump (5'4).
Placing third were Roberts in the 1600 (4:44), Coldsnow in the 300 hurdles (42.6) and long jump (17'9.5), Josh Hiles in the shot (42'6) and Bryce Grindstaff in the discus (101'1).
"This is the first loss for the boys, but we are still happy to be 4-1," noted Coach Stafford. "We knew this meet would be tough, because Marlington has more depth than we do. They were able to keep some fresh legs in races where we can't.
"We are still focussing on fighting for the NBC title. Our goal is not to have any more losses going into the NBC meet."
The boys placed third at the Marlington Relays with 67 points. Canfield won the event with a 108, followed by Marlington with 98.
The spring medley consisting of Wimsatt, Brown, Kohler and Ford finished first; the high-jump relay of Roberts, James Hiles and Coldsnow placed second; and Cox finished second in the 300 hurdles.
Thirds went to the 4x100 relay consisting of Wimsatt, Brown, Moore and Kohler; the 4x100 shuttle hurdles of Coldsnow, Ja. Hiles, Caleb Hudson and Cox; the 4x800 of Roberts, Corey Allen, Spencer Mapes and J.D. King; the 4x200 of Wimsatt, Brown, Moore and Kohler; and the 4x400 of Brown, Wimsatt, Kohler and Ford.
Placing fourth were the 4x1600 of Roberts, Hudson, Mapes and Riley Jobes; and the distance medley of Mapes, King, Jobes and Roberts.
The long-jump relay of Coldsnow, Ja. Hiles and Ford finished fifth and the shot relay of Jo. Hiles, Evan Nickell and Tony Picchione placed sixth.
"We needed three for the field events and four for the relays and it was fun deciding who did what," stated Coach Stafford. "Both teams did very well."
Minerva was to face Carrollton on May 6, before hosting Canton South on Tuesday, May 13.
treed@alliancelink.com