(May 7th, 2015) – STRYKER: The young Blackbirds of Pettisville earned an impressive victory against tough competition at the Junior High Buckeye Border Conference (BBC) track meet. The Fulton County team scored 127 points in the win, with Hilltop taking second place with 93. Edon and Stryker just missed that distinction, as the two squads tied for third place with 90 points each. Fayette’s 58 points was good enough to earn them fifth place, and North Central came in sixth with 2 points.
The 400 meter dash was claimed by Pettisville’s Calvin Nofziger, who finished the race in 1:00.3. Chad Howard, of Edon, was close behind with a time of 1:01.9 to take second place. Hilltop runner Hayden Brown was awarded third place at 1:02.2, while his teammate, Dan Shilling, crossed the finish line less that a second later at 1:02.9. Fifth place belonged to Noah Brinengar of Fayete, who ran a 1:03.9.
Nofziger again found himself a winner, giving the Blackbirds a victory in the 200 meter hurdles with a time of 29 flat. Tristin Sampson, of Stryker, was awarded second place at 29.9. Third place went to Payton Pease, as the Bomber boy finished the race in 31 flat. Pettisville’s Caleb Keim stepped across the finish line at 32.5, followed immediately by Edon’s Kase Hug, who completed the course in 32.7.
Izayah Ferguson impressed in the one mile run, receiving first place with a time of 4:58. Fayette’s Troy DeCant finished second, thanks to his time of 5:15.3, with fellow Eagle Clayton Pheils hot on his trail at 5:15.7 for a fourth place showing. Zach Morrison, of Pettisville, earned sixth place in 5:16.
A new meet record was set in the shot put, as Stryker thrower Joe Chiow turned in a toss of 43’6.5” to write his own name in the history books. Justin Lesniger, of Hilltop, took second place with a throw of 36’10”. Pettisville’s Grant Jacoby came in third with his 34’10” offering. The Edon duo of Kyle Apger and Jacob Dulle rounded out the top five with throw of 33’3.5” and 32’11” respectively.
The pole vault also saw a new record made at the meet, as Morrison, of Pettisville, cleared 9’7” to accomplish the feat. His teammate, Detric Yoder, finished in second place at 8’6”. Garrett Rupp, representing Edon, registered a third place showing, vaulting over a height of 8′. Hilltop’s Ben Weiland and Stryker’s Thomas Bost each cleared the bar at 7’6” to earn fourth and fifth places.
Pettisville was a consistent force throughout the meet, while Hilltop, Stryker, and Edon all had exceptional performers as well. Fayette had a solid showing, and North Central struggled throughout the day. Still, the future looks fairly bright for BBC track and field.