Alig ends at regional

INDIANAPOLIS — The lone Patriot’s visit to the state capital was short-lived.

Jay County High School’s Adam Alig was unable to clear opening height Thursday as his season came to an end in the regional meet at Pike.

“I was hoping just for one bar,” said JCHS coach Joe Imel. “It didn’t happen. It is what it is. We made it here.”

Alig had squeaked into the regional, taking the third-place tiebreaker on criteria over Monroe Central’s Easton Foster at the sectional meet. (Both had cleared the bar at 6 feet.)

The junior had no luck at Pike, where the opening eight was 5 feet, 10 inches. He knocked the bar off of the standards on each of his three tries.

“He’s a little streaky,” Imel said. “He either has it or he’s off.”

The coach expressed hope that Alig can build off of the regional experience and come back stronger next season.

“He’s been the most consistent and best athlete that we’ve had on the team this year, so I am glad that he was able to advance (to the regional),” said Imel. “He’s a kid that will work in the offseason. He’s motivated to get better in the hurdles. He loves the high jump. …

“He was wanting to get 6 foot this year. He got it twice. So next year he’ll have some lofty goals.”