Jay County blasts Bearcats

The goal could not be more clear.

The Patriots handled their business in the final dual meet of the season Tuesday, defeating Muncie Central. And they're preparing themselves for Friday's Olympic Athletic Conference meet.

But the sectional tournament - Tuesday for the girls at Muncie Southside and Thursday, May 21, for the boys at Muncie Central - is what they have their sights set on.

"This year our approach is we're all about the sectional. That's the big one. That's kind of the crown jewel," said Brian McEvoy after his Jay County High School girls track team, which is 25-3, defeated the visiting Bearcats 67-56. "Our sectional is really our whole focus. We've been lucky to win a lot of meets along the way ..."

It's clear why the sectional tournament has become the ultimate goal for the Patriots. JCHS has not won a girls sectional since 1997, and the boys track team hasn't finished first since taking back-to-back titles in 1983 and '84.

"Sectional this year is ours to take," said Jay County boys coach Greg Garringer, who got another three wins from Brandon Reynard in an 86-37 triumph over Muncie Central. "We've just got to build. We've got to do what we can do at confernece ... do our best in our events and take that and build on it and have a nice sectional.

"It's been 25 years. I hope ... that night I'm smiling."

In the final home meet of his career, Brandon Reynard continued to give Patriot fans plenty to smile about.

Despite sitting out of one of his signature events - the 110-meter hurdles - the senior brought home three victories. He took the top spot in both the 100 dash and the 200 dash in times of 11.27 and 22.74 seconds respectively.

The 2008 state medalist in the 300 hurdles also took that event, winning by more than five seconds with a time of 39.84.

Senior Brianne Wellman ran away from the field in both of the girls hurdle races. She was first in the 100 hurdles in 17.9 seconds, and won the 300 hurdles in 51 flat.

"Brianne has really come along in the hurdles. She's running great at the right time," said McEvoy. "We think that she could be a real threat in the sectional to maybe pull off a double win."

Zach Cash completed the hurdle sweep for Jay County, taking the boys 110-meter race in 17.3.

Tevan Nichols contributed to four victories, cruising to first-place efforts in both the 1,600 and 3,200 runs in 4:48.5 and 10:59.97 respectively.

Nichols, Kyle Simmons, Brady Mills and Joe Rasmussen teamed to take the 4x400 relay in 3:40.8 and the 4x800 relay at 8:26.5.

"I don't think I've ever had a team go under 9:00," said Garringer of the 4x800 relay. "(This year) if we don't run an 8:30 we've had not a good run. We're just at a different level now with these guys that we've got.

"Tevan Nichols is really getting some big points for us. Zach Cash is another one. ... He's going to be the guy (in the hurdles next year). He showed us some good leadership. He's getting us some points and doing well."

Katie Simmons dominated the 3,200 run for the JCHS girls by nearly 20 seconds in 12:37.79, and Katie Butcher won the 800 run at 2:37.5. They also teamed with Kylie Wellman and Leah Wellman to win the 4x800 relay in 10:34.78.

Jordan McMillan set the stage for a sectional showdown, defeating defending 100 dash champion Jade Jefferson. The sophomore won the event by just six hundredths of a second in 12.92.

"Jordan McMillan again came up big in the 100," said McEvoy. "She's just getting better and stronger. I think she's going to have a good conference meet and sectional meet."

The Patriot girls won three of the four field events, with Cara Garringer leading a sweep of the shot put. She won with a toss of 33 feet, 9 inches with Maria Murphy second and Amy Alig third.

Murphy took first place in the discus at 105 feet, 9 inches, and senior Lindsey Current won the high jump at 5 feet even.

Rasmussen took the 800 run for the JCHS boys in 2:06.9, and Dexter Shreve won the 400 dash with a time of 52.06.[[In-content Ad]]