Tribune Staff Writer
BLOOMINGTON
Because one of the top-three finishers scratched, Seymour sophomore Seth Ragon is going to compete in the high jump at the boys track and field state meet.
Bloomington South’s Deakin Volz finished second in the high jump by clearing 6 feet, 4 inches in Thursday’s Bloomington North Regional.
But Seymour coach Randy Fife said the Panthers’ coach told him Volz will not compete in that event at state to focus on the pole vault. Volz cleared 17 feet to win that event at regional.
Jennings County’s Wes Furgason and Ragon both cleared 6-2, but Furgason earned third due to having fewer misses than Ragon. With Volz scratching, that moves fourth-place Ragon up.
The state meet is set for June 5 at Indiana University in Bloomington.
“We’re happy he’s going to state,” Fife said of Ragon.
He, however, was the only Seymour athlete to score in the meet.
The Owls’ next-best finisher was Daniel Hauersperger placing 10th in the 3,200-meter run, crossing the line in 10:18.77. He qualified for regional in the 3,200-meter relay and 1,600-meter run, too, but chose to only focus on one race.
The toughest race on the track for the Owls was the 400-meter relay. They led in their heat until making a mistake on the final exchange, which disqualified them.
“We just didn’t have the timing we needed to,” Fife said. “That happens sometimes. We just prefer it not happen to us. We have to be more focused. We practiced, but they have to trust their marks, and they can’t get wrapped up in the moment. Instead, they need to focus on, ‘Here’s what I know is right and just do it.’”
Fife saw some good spots in the field events.
“Our vaulters did real well. They didn’t score, but they both vaulted really well, so we’re happy with that,” Fife said.
“Austin (Hatfield) in the long jump had a really solid jump in the trials, and his last jump was a really, really strong jump and maybe could have made finals but narrowly scratched.”
Brownstown Central had competitors in several events but didn’t score in the meet.
Three Braves placed 10th — John McKinney in the 100-meter dash (11.82), Jacob Wilson in the high jump (6-0) and Ian Anderson in the shot put (46-1).
Bloomington North won the last relay to finish in a tie with Bloomington South for the team title, both scoring 117 points. Seymour finished in a tie for 18th with five points.
“When you’re over here finishing up, it’s a nice way to finish when you get to regional,” Fife said. “We’re happy with all of the kids who competed.”