If Bridgeport’s boys and girls track teams were looking for a way to boost their confidence heading into the stretch run of the season, they probably found out this past weekend in Charleston’s Laidley Field. The Indians’ teams swept to the Class AA titles at the annual Gazette Friends of Coal Relays.

 

The girls rolled to the win with 175 points in the 11-team field, easily outdistancing second place North Marion with 112 points. The boys were nearly as dominant with 160 points in their 11-team field, which was nearly 100 points higher than the 77 by runner-up Roane County.

 

Bridgeport’s boys got a handful of wins in its point total. The Indians also placed throughout the top six to help make their mark.

 

While Griffith was pleased with the results, he didn’t think it was a gauge showing the Tribe were the frontrunners in the ‘AA’ rankings.

 

“There were only two of the top 10 teams in AA at the meet; Bridgeport and Poca,” said Griffith. “Nonetheless, our kids came out and did what we asked, which is to continue to improve.  They did just that.

 

“I was very happy with the vast majority of our performances,” Griffith continued. “We had personal bests out of almost everyone.  You can’t do much more than that.”

 

Jimmy Lacaria took one of the first place finishes in the 3200 meter run. He finished with a time of 9 minutes, 41.31 seconds. Josh Osborn took the other individual first place finish in the 300 meter hurdles with a time of 42.87 seconds.

 

BHS also got two first place finishes in relay events. The Tribe won the 4x400 and the 4x800.

 

In the 4x400, the team of Lacaria, Ian Frailey, Timmy Kinney and Tyler Hardesty posted a time of 3 minutes, 40.29 seconds. The 4x800 team of Frailey, Mark Duez, Jimmy Lacaria and Timothy Kinney won in a time of 8 minutes, 40.36 seconds.

 

Bridgeport also had several runner-up finish, starting with Maverick Eddy. Eddy posted a time of 11.76 seconds in the 100 meters. Lacaria rounded up his day with a second place finish in the 1600 meters with a time of 4 minutes, 32.28 seconds.

 

The 4x200 meter relay team of Ethan Aulds, Trenton Shawn, Hardesty and Eddy were second place finishers. The group posted a time of 1 minute, 38.22 seconds.

 

Bridgeport got a pair of second place finishes in the field events. Osborn was second in the pole vault, clearing 11 feet, 6 inches. Tristan Shaw earned second in the long jump with a mark of 18 feet, 6 inches.

 

Griffith had praise for many of his athletes for their showings.

 

“Josh Osborn had a tremendous showing in the hurdles.  Jimmy Lacaria, Ian Frailey and Mark Duez continued to bring their 3200 meter times down.  Tristan Shaw had some major improvement in the long jump,” said Griffith. “Maverick Eddy set personal records in the 100 meters and 200 meters.  Chris Trent, Lane Noel and Jacob Griffith continue to climb in the shot and discus.”

 

For the girls, it was a dominant effort from start to finish. And one of the biggest areas of strength was in the relays. Bridgeport finished first in there of those events.

 

The Tribe won the 4x100 with a team of 52.98 seconds. The team of Catie Wilson, Jordyn Bush, Jordan Cole and Isabella Bowen were the winners.

 

In the 4x200, the team of Kristen Crowder, Anna Cava, Juliet Hart and Catie Wilson won with a time of 1 minute, 53.92 seconds. BHS finished with a win in the 4x102.5 shuttle hurdles event as the group of Mateah Kittle, Rory Marple, Hailie Davis and Caroline Lloyd had a winning mark of 1 minute, 11.85 seconds.

 

While that was the biggest area of strength for Bridgeport, Coach Emilee Stout was pleased with the overall showings. What made it more impressive is that the Indian girls did it without top point producer McKenna Smith and mid-distance standout Julia Muller.

 

“This was a great weekend for our team. We had several athletes perform their personal bests. In nearly every event, we had improvements, and that alone is enough. I am extremely pleased with everyone,” said Stout. “We scored a lot of points across the board even without two runners, McKenna Smith and Julia Muller. That tells a lot about the depth of our team and what they are capable of.”

 

Bridgeport had several first place finishes beyond the relays. Bowen picked up a first place in the 400 meter dash with a time of 1 minute, .89 seconds.

 

Kittle was the winner in the 100 meter hurdles. She posted a time of 16.28 seconds. Rory Marple won the high jump by clearing 5 feet. The final first place win of the day came in pole vault where Caroline Lloyd won by clearing 9 feet, 6 inches.

 

Kirstin George was the runner-up in the 800 meters. She posted a time of 2 minutes, 31.15 seconds. Jenna Soltesz took second in the 3200 meter run with a time of 12 minutes, 19.16 seconds.

 

Not surprisingly, Bridgeport also took two second places in the other relay events. The 4x400 team of George, Crowder, Hart and Wilson had a time of 4 minutes, 25.35 seconds and the 4x800 team of Savannah Blythe, Soltesz, George and Caroline Ferrell posted a time of 10 minutes, 37.57 seconds.

 

Bridgeport will compete in the Harrison County Track & Field Championships Tuesday at Robert C. Byrd High School. The meet begins at 4 p.m.

 

The Indians then will look to win championships at the Big 10 meet. It is set for Friday at Buckhannon-Upshur at noon.