Published: March 18, 2007 01:15 am            

McCracken competes at state

Western’s Gann takes second at state relays

Western’s Nikki McCracken got her first taste of the IHSAA Gymnastics State Finals at Perry Meridan High School in Indianapolis by placing 27th with a score of 34.75 in the all-around Saturday.

McCracken finished 23rd on the beam (8.8), 33rd on the bars (8.45), 34th on vault (8.95) and 41st on floor (8.55).

“One of our goals was to finish in the top half on beam, and it was her best showing,” Western coach Joni McCracken said. “It was a great experience for her, and we were pleased where she placed.”

Center Grove’s Katelyn Fernandes was crowned state champion in the all-around (38.125) and vault (9.7). Fort Wayne Concordia’s Brannon Springer was tops on bars (9.675), and Hannah Osborn won on floor (9.725). Jeanna Van Hoey of Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger came out on top on beam (9.7).

Track and field

Hoosier State relays

Four Howard County high schools and Cass competed in the Hoosier State Relays for both boys and girls track and field in Bloomington at Gladstein Fieldhouse on Indiana University campus Saturday.

Western’s Kyle Gann led the boys contingent with a second place finish in pole vault with a height of 14 feet. Eastern’s Kevin Jackson tied for eighth place (11-6), and Western’s Dean Shepherd was 10th (11-6).

Northwestern’s team of Chase Kaufman, Josh Galloway, Jeremy Robison and Kory Kennedy placed third in the distance medley relay (11:00.89), and Western’s foursome of Zac Martinez, Tom Grider, Corey Scott and Austin Young placed 12th (11:41.5). That same foursome for Western placed eighth in the 3,200 relay (8:55.3).

Eastern’s Austin Roark placed fourth in the long jump (20-7.5), and Cass’ Connor McCulley was eighth in the shot put (46-5).

The Panthers’ Kyle Brown came in seventh in the 55-meter dash (:06.84), and Western’s Patrick Lennon placed 10th in the 55 hurdles (:08.65).

In the girls meet, Northwestern’s Megan Schubert placed second in the high jump with a height of 5-4.

Taylor’s Lindsey Corbitt placed fifth in her heat in the 55 hurdles (9.50), and Britni Oliver was eighth overall in the long jump (14-11).

The Tribune’s Kenny Hetzler compiled this roundup.

        

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