All things considered, Bridgeport High School track coach Emilee Stout and Jon Griffith would have liked nothing more than to come back to Harrison County with a Class AA state championship in tow. That said, they’re also not disappointed in where they finished.

 

Bridgeport’s boys and girls both were runners-up in the two-day meet at Charleston’s Laidley Field. The teams both came up just short to Winfield, the winner on both sides of the ledger.

 

The girls, last year’s state champions, were close. However, they couldn’t pull it out.  That doesn’t mean that Stout was disappointed in coming up short to the Generals.

 

“Our girls did an excellent job at the state meet. We had a couple events that did not pan out the way we wanted, but everything else was as good as it could be,” said Stout. “Several girls ran their personal bests and you can't ask for much more than that to close out the season.”

 

Of course, most conversations involving BHS girls track the last few years involve McKenna Smith. And the senior was once again the topic of conversation in Charleston. She not only won the 100, 200, 400 and 300 meter hurdle events for the second straight year, but she managed to set state records in all four.

 

“I am so proud of her and all her accomplishments during her BHS track career. She will be greatly missed,” said Stout.

 

One thing Stout is glad she didn’t miss was the final even of the state meet and the showing by the Tribe’s 4x400 team of Kristen Crowder, Catie Wilson, Kirstin George and McKenna Eddy.

 

“I can't even explain how happy I am for those four girls to win that relay. At that point in the meet, we knew our team would finish runner-up even with a first place finish.  With that being said, I know those girls ran their hearts out for each other and their team,” said Stout. “They all had one goal in mind and that was to run their best 400 race. They put their minds to it and accomplished a huge win.  I told the four of them that they should feel so proud of what they accomplished.  It was an outstanding performance to finish the state meet.”

 

Bridgeport also got a state title from Julia Muller. Muller captured a win in the 1600 meters and Stout sees big things ahead for the sophomore.

 

“Julia is a driven, focused athlete who never gives up.  Her determination to win that race was evident on the track.  Watching her run into a first place finish brought tears to my eyes as did the 4x4, and watching McKenna's last race in the 200,” said Stout.

 

While Isabella Bowen didn’t win any titles, she was runner-up in the sprint events to Smith and also on a second place relay team. Bowen is another sophomore for the team to build around.

 

“Isabella had an outstanding meet. She ran personal bests in all her races and continues to improve each season. She works so hard and it truly paid off this weekend,” said Stout.

 

Stout said she is hopeful no one hangs their heads as a result of the second place finish. She said there is plenty to be proud of.

 

“This weekend was pretty emotional, and in a good way.  I was just so proud of the team and how they finished out the season,” said Stout. “They had a tough challenge with Winfield, but held their own. This team should feel accomplished and happy with their successful season, because I definitely am.”

 

For the boys, Griffith’s pre-meet words turned out to be prophetic. Heading into the state meet, Winfield was favored and he knew it would take a near perfect showing to close the gap and bring home the school’s second state title.

 

“I told the boys that the team that made the fewest mistakes would win.  That turned out to be very true.  Winfield made no mistakes and we had a few events that we dropped a place or two,” said Griffith. “We had opportunities to make up the difference, but just couldn’t seem to take advantage of them.  I give a lot of credit to Winfield.  They did what they had to do to win.”

 

One of the two Indians highest finishers individually for the boys was Chris Trent. Trent, just a junior, continues to impress as he was second in the shot up t and sixth in the discus.

 

“Chris had a good day in the shot and the discus. I think he could have done a little better in the discus, based on what we had seen in practice, but still it was one of the top performances of his career,” said Griffith.

 

The other was senior Jimmy Lacaria, who wrapped up a solid track and field career at Laidley Field in Charleston. He finished with 16.5 points on the days with a second place in the 3200, a third place in the 1600 meter and was a member of the 4x800 meter relay team.

 

“Jimmy has been a joy to coach.  He works so hard and has accomplished so much in his time here.  I really hate to see him go.  He ran well this weekend against some outstanding competition,” said Griffith.

 

Bridgeport also had a second runner-up finish. It was in the relays where the 4x800 team of Tristan Shaw, Coleton Marsh, Mark Duez and Lacaria turned in a strong showing.

 

“The 4x800m relay ran a heck of a race (8:06.95) to break the school record and finish second,” said Griffith. “That kind of time will win most years.  In fact all of our relays ran their best times of the year or close.  

 

“All of our relays ran their best times of the year or close.  The best news for me is that out of the five relays, only the 4x800 has a senior on it and only one of those,” Griffith continued. “That is really great looking ahead to the future.”

 

Others that placed – Tristan Shaw (5^th high jump), Josh Osborn (3^rd pole vault), Maverick Eddy (5^th 200 meters), Chase Binegar (6^th 400 meters), Braeden Oldaker (6^th 110 hurdles) and Mark Duez (4^th, 3200 meters) are all underclassmen. Duez’s time in the 3200 was his best of the year, Griffith said.  Those youngsters, and others, have Griffith already looking ahead to 2018.

 

“We have a large number of athletes back for next season.  Including a few new athletes we didn’t have this year who have already indicated that they are coming out.  When you look at the seniors we graduate and where they are on our team scoring, next year is shaping up to be a great one,” Griffith said. “Losing Jimmy Lacaria is a big loss.  He is our top scorer again this year.  In addition to Jimmy Lacaria we graduate Timmy Kinney, Lane Noel, Drake Bolle and Titus Smith who are also consistent scorers for the team.   They are great kids and are going to be missed.  We wish them all the best in their future endeavors.  Even though we lose them, we still have 15 of our top 20 scorers back.”   

 

Editor's Note: The coaches are shown above, while Catie Wilson is shown in her portion of the Indians' state title relay team. Bottom photo is of senior Jimmy Lacaria, who wrapped up an incredible career Saturday.