Columbus East used its depth to outscore Seymour and three other Hoosier Hills Conference boys track and field teams to win the annual Seymour Invitational Tuesday night at Bulleit Stadium.
East had 145 points, Seymour 121, Jennings County 112, Bedford North Lawrence 79 and Madison 34.
Seymour athletes placing first were Chandler Drummond in the pole vault at 10-feet, Josh Pennington in the 110 hurdles at 15:75, and Brandon Kleber in the 3200 run with a time of 10:02.6.
Coach Randy Fife said he was pleased with the performance of the Owls as several athletes had their best performances of the season.
“It was a good night,” he said. “We tried a few things to try to get ready for conference and sectional. This is the first meet where it was a boys-only varsity meet where you have trials and finals.
“We did some experimenting and had a lot of kids double, and they stepped up and answered the bell. I’m proud of them. We’ll do a few things different next time. We learned a lot about ourselves. We had some people in different events. We had some people run 4oo for the first time. Kyler Leslie ran his first hurdle race of the year and did well (fifth in the 300 lows).
“Overall it was just a great effort even though we finished second.”
Kleber said going into the 3200 he planned to get out to an early lead and let the other runners chase him and that strategy worked.
“I was going for a sub 5 minute first mile, and that’s what I did. I just wanted to get out in front of everyone and make them catch me instead of me trying to catch them. I went 4:58 and then 5:03. I wanted to go sub 10, but I’ll take the win.”
Kleber was also second in the mile at 4:42.72, and Jude Bane was fourth, and Bane was also fourth in the mile.
Pennington said he was pleased to get the win but disappointed with his time.
“My time was slower than I wanted to. It was 15:75 which is my slowest this season. I want to break 15 and get 14.9. I think I’m dehydrated. I thought I was drinking enough water, but apparently not. My steps are good.”
Drummond said, “Usually 10 feet should be consistent for me. My personnel best is actually 10-6. We all have off days if we don’t plan accordingly. All my events ahead of me just wear me down, but I’m going to continue.”
Drummond also placed third in the high hurdles and fifth in the long jump.
Seymour’s 3200 relay team of Michael Proffer, Isaac Shafer, Leslie and Carter Murphy placed second at 9:13.41.
Seymour’s 1600 relay team of Proffer, Pennington, Leslie and Schaffer finished third and had their best time of the season at 3:44.
Reid Kruse was third and Eli Abner was sixth in the 100, Josh Rennekamp was sixth in the 400, Abner was fifth in the 200, and Proffer was fifth in the 800.
Preston Applegate was second in the shot (44-2) and second in the discus (136-3), and John Ortman was fifth in the discus.
Bryson Darlage was third in both the high jump and long jump.
Seymour will have a boy-girl meet Thursday at Shelbyville.