Patriot track teams open season with win

HARTFORD CITY — The Patriots opened their track season in dominating fashion on Tuesday.

Jay County High School’s boys and girls track teams both finished first in a three-team meet with the Southern Wells Raiders and host Blackford Bruins.

The Patriot girls, who were first in 13 events, totaled 95 points, leaving Southern Wells and its 25 points a distant second. Blackford scored 19 points for third.

Jay County’s boys, winners of 10 events, totaled 80 points for first place. Southern Wells (46 points) and Blackford (30) were second and third respectively.

Abby Benter and Sophia Fugiett were both dual winners for the JCHS girls. Benter beat the field in the 100- and 300-meter hurdles races, while Fugiett was first in both the 800 run and 1,600 run.

Fugiett also joined Lindy Wood, Cheyenne Liette and Vanessa Ong to win the 4x800 relay.

Calli Stigleman and Kinsey Shannon were first in the 100 and 200 dash events respectively, while Ashlyn Dow got a win in the 400 dash. Karlie Bullard and Chloe Campbell tied for first in high jump, as Taylor Knapp (shot put) and Kassidy Fennig (discus) both had individual wins.

Jay County’s 4x100 relay team of Shea Bailey, Renee Omstead, Stigleman and Bullard were victorious, as was the 4x400 relay team of Grace Saxman, Shannon, Omstead and Dow.

Gavin Randall, who had the top height in high jump and furthest distance in long jump, was the Patriot boys’ lone dual winner.

Noah Harris (110 hurdles), Caleb Webster (100 dash), Aaron Funkhouser (400 dash), Isaac Robbins (300 hurdles) and Skyler Myers (3,200 run) all earned individual victories.

Ben Strausburg, Zade Fosnaugh, Tayler Smeltzer and Myers teamed to win the 4x800 relay, while the 4x100 relay team of Trey Castillo, Nathanael Day, Randall and Webster also placed first.

The 4x400 relay squad of Matthew Paquette, Robbins, Funkhouser and Randall finished with the fastest time as well.