FROM THE APRIL 3 EDITION OF
THE BRIDGEPORT NEWS

by Jeff Toquinto
Editor, The Bridgeport News

Unlike their female counterparts, Bridgeport’s boys
track team didn’t finish as runner-up at last year’s
Class AA state track and field championships. But, the
boys did manage to post one of their best finishes ever.
In fact, last year’s squad placed 15th at the state
meet. That mark was the best since 1994, when the club finished 7th.
Even with that in mind, veteran coach Jon Griffith
isn’t quite sure what to expect this year.
“Each team is its own animal,” said Griffith. ‘We
don’t try to compete with past teams. We have enough
teams in the area this year to compete with.”
A key component from the “past team,” Joe Ielapi, is
no longer with the club. Ielapi, who was the team’s
high point scorer at the state event, has graduated.
But, the cupboard is far from bare for BHS. One key
returner is senior Chris Hampton. Hampton placed last
year in the state in the ... and the ..
“He should be a factor for us in the short sprints and
long jump,” said Griffith. “ ... Whether or not Chris
will have a big year is up to Chris.”
Like Hampton, Griffith is also expecting big things
from several other performers. Chris Heater, Jeff
Weimer and Josh Goad are expected to assist the
Indians in the sprint competitions. Heater spent much
of last year fighting injuries.
“He was hurt much of last year,” said Griffith of
Heater. “He had a tough time.”
Another person that may assist the Indians is Matt
Fischer. Fischer is expected to contribute in the high jump.
The Indians will fill out the rest of the events with a deep roster.
“Our numbers are up a little,” said Griffith. “We’re pleased with the turnout.”
The numbers will provide Griffith with one key intangible - depth.
“As usual, we expect to have a well rounded team with lots of depth,” said Griffith.
Along with the depth, Griffith sees the team’s
strongest areas as the sprints, long jump, high jump
and pole vault. He’s concerned with some of the field
portions of meets, as well as the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 meter events.
“We need to improve in the throwing events and the
distance races,” said Griffith. “Our area has a very
strong distance group and we will have to train very
hard to be competitive. In the throws, we graduated
several of our top kids and are looking to fill those slots.”
The first meet of the year was this past Tuesday. The
meet was held at home. The first major meet is
tomorrow. The Indians will take part in the annual
Doddridge Hosts Harrison meet at Cline Stansberry Stadium in West Union.
Griffith hopes to get a better feel of his thinclads in the early meets.
"The early meets are basically experimental," said
Griffith. "We look to see how the kids perform under
competitive stress and look to see where we can improve."
The Indians biggest home meet of the year, the second
annual Harry Green Invitational, will take place April
12 at Wayne Jamison Field. On April 11, the middle
school portion of that meet will be held.