Saying that Bridgeport High School’s girls track team dominated last Wednesday’s Class AA Region II track meet in Lewis County may not be doing it justice. After all, when you’re ahead of your next closest competitor by 161 points you’ve had more than a dominant day.

 

That’s exactly what transpired in Weston as the girls finished with an eye-popping total 241.33 points in the 10 team field. Liberty was the runner-up with 80.33 points.

 

“Our regional performance was a big success overall,” said Coach Emilee Yurish. “As far as our qualifiers go, we did nearly everything we should have to put ourselves in a good position for (this) week.”

 

Leading the way was junior Isabella Bowen. Bowen won three events and was part of a winning relay team. She finished with 32.5 points on the afternoon.

 

“I think Isabella is exactly where she needs to be. She feels good and is running with a great attitude,” said Yurish.

 

The numbers showed just that. She won the 100 meters with a time of 12.52 seconds and the 200 meters with a showing of 25.74 seconds. She capped off her individual wins with the only sub-minute time of the 400 meters at 57.89 seconds.

 

BHS had another athlete finish with three wins. Julia Muller also won three events during the afternoon.

 

“Julia is in great shape. She is another one that has been doing another fantastic job this year,” said Yurish. “She has confidence and is very focused.”

 

Muller, a force in the distance events all year, swept them on Wednesday. She won the 800 meters (2:27.17), the 1600 meters (5:23.33) and the 3200 meters (12:45.98).

 

Bridgeport won one of the two hurdle events with Emily Meade doing the honoros. Meade won the 100 with a time of 16.38 seconds.

 

“Emily is doing what she can right now. She's been hurt the last couple weeks and was determined to run the highs for regionals and states,” said Yurish. “She is doing the proper treatment and will hopefully be able to perform as best she can next weekend.”

 

When it came to the relays, Bridgeport almost had a clean sweep. The Tribe won four of the five events on the day.

 

“We have pretty strong relays and have done well with the handful of rotations this year. That's what it takes, though, to be able to put together the best group possible for a run at a state title.  We have the ability to work with several girls because of their high talent and utilize them when we don't have 100 percent from others, particularly from injury,” the coach said. “It's a great thing we have going and we're lucky to have the depth on this team.”

 

In the 4x100, the team of Anaiya Jackson, Bowen, Juliet Hart and Kristen Crowder won with a time of 50.35 seconds. The 4x200 team of Kirstin George, Catie Wilson, Hart and Crowder were winners thanks to a showing of 1 minute, 47.87 seconds.

 

The foursome of McKenna Eddy, George, Wilson and Crowder walked away in the top spot of the 4x400 with a time of 4 minutes, 18.36 seconds. The final win came in the 4x800 where Olivia Arbogast, Darian Spencer, Allison Hess and George capped the win with a time of 10 minutes, 37.05 seconds.

 

Ashton Miller was the winner of the long jump. She posted a mark of 15 feet, 5 inches.

 

“Ashton had a pretty good meet. Her best showing in long jump came at the right time when they were in finals,” said Yurish. “It was a great result for the win and to qualify with a good jump for states.”

 

Madyia McCullough had a strong day in the shot put for Bridgeport. Her toss of 34 feet, 3.5 inches gave her the win.  

“Madyia has done an excellent job in both her throwing events this year.  Her confidence has really gone up since the beginning of the season, and you can tell with her attitude when she throws,” said Yurish.

 

Although not winning any events, Anaiya Jackson had a big day. She finished with 22.5 points for the Indians.

 

The following is a list of athletes that have qualified for this week’s state track and field meet at Charleston’s Laidley Field Friday and Saturday.