April 29, 2004
by Jeff Toquinto
Editor of The Bridgeport News

Bridgeport's boys track team continued its impressive early-season showing, this time by winning the prestigious Cline Stansberry Invitational, in Doddridge County.
The BHS boys tied Williamstown in the 14-team meet with 90 points. That was just ahead of third place Ritchie County's total of 80 points.
Although the girls didn't win their side of the meet, they were once again strong. The Indians, with 82 points, finished runner-up to Doddridge County. The Bulldogs cruised with 131 points.
The boys were able to get the win thanks largely to the efforts of Matt Wilson. The talented sophomore took high point honors with 26.5 points.
Wilson earned one of the Indians' four first place finishes in the meet. He took top honors in the long jump with 19 feet. 7.5 inches.
He was also part of the winning shuttle hurdles relay team. The rest of Wilson's points came from a second place finish in the 110 meter high hurdles and a third place finish in the high jump.
"I was pretty happy with my hurdle time, but not too pleased with my jumping performance," said Wilson, who said the sloppy conditions were a factor. "(The weather) definitely impacted my jumping, since it was slippery and very cold."
The only other individual win on the afternoon went to Matt Fischer. The senior was the high jump by clearing 6 feet.
Once again, the relay events proved critical for BHS in getting the win. Not only did BHS win two relay events, but the club placed third in the 4x200 relay and second in the 4x800.
Joining Wilson on the shuttles team was Grant Burton, Phillip McElfresh(Check) and Fischer. The group won with a time of 1 minute, 1.8 seconds.
The 4x100 team of Shawn Adkins, Steven (CHSP) Lewis, McElfresh and Josh Goad was the other winner. They posted a time of 46.2 seconds.
For the girls, Lauren Gilbert picked up the only two wins on the day. The sophomore speedster, who is still getting herself back into track shape, won the 200 meters (27.6 seconds) and the 400 meters (1 minute, 2 seconds).
"...," said girls track coach Jim Dawson of Gilbert.
Also last week, the Indians dominated a four-team home match on April 20. The boys won with 173 points, while the girls won with a total of 151 points
The boys dominated the field events and the relays to get the win. The Tribe had just one win in the sprints - Matt Wilson's win in the 110 meter hurdles.
Wilson won two other events. The sophomore won the high jump and the long jump.
Sam Romano also won two field events. The junior won the shot put and discus. The final individual win went to David Haws in the pole vault.
The boys won four relays. The winning teams were the 4x100 and 4x200 group of Shawn Adkins, Steven Lewis, Phillip McElfresh and Josh Goad; the 4x800 team of Tyler Williams, Kyle Sappington, Ben Booth and Patsy Sabatelli; and the shuttles team of Grant Burton, Matt Fischer, Zach Wright and Wilson.
Gilbert won a pair of events to lead BHS' girls. She won the 100 and 400 meter dashes.
Kate Merinar, Sarah Abbatte, Jenna Fogg and Stout also won individual events. Merinar won the 1600 meter run, Abbatte won the 100 meter hurdles, Fogg had the top mark in the high jump, while Stout won the pole vault.
Three BHS relay teams won as well. The teams were the 4x200 unit of Abbate, Victoria Gorby, Kayla Lynch and Stout; the 4x400 team of Lora Gallagher, Merinar, Fogg and Gilbert; and the shuttles team of Marie Conley, Kara Miller, Stout and Abbate.