May 20, 2004
by Jeff Toquinto
Editor of The Bridgeport News

From day one of the 2004 track season, Bridgeport boys track coach Jon Griffith has said his team's success would center more on depth than individual achievement. After Friday's Class AA, Region II meet at Lewis County High School, it appears Griffith was right on the money.
Despite winning just three individual events, the Indians rolled to the regional crown by amassing 152 points. The team easily outdistanced Keyser (87 points) in the 10-team regional competition.
Bridgeport's girls track team also fared well in the regional event. The girls battled to the wire with a talented Frankfort team before falling 108 to 100.
"All of the kids did great, all the way down the roster," said Griffith of the boys' effort. "There were events where we had three people qualify for in Charleston so it was a good day."
The three individual wins came in three different areas. Most notable may have been the win by the shuttle hurdle relay team of Grant Burton, Phillip McElfresh, Matt Fischer and Matt Wilson. The team won easily with a time of 59.71 seconds.
"They posted the second fastest time coming out of the regionals," said Griffith. "They're time was only slightly behind the top time of Sissonville."
The Indians will have four other relay teams competing in Charleston. The Indians' 4x100, 4x200, 4x400 (which posted a personal best time) and 4x800 teams all finished second in the regional meet.
"They have been strong for us all year," said Griffith. "Once again they made a difference."
Another person making a difference was Fischer. Fischer cleared 6 feet, 4 inches in the high jump in what Griffith said was the most competitive region in the state.
"Five of the state's top six in that event are in our region," said Griffith. "The state meet is going to be very similar to the regional competition."
Wilson, who has jumped inch per inch against Fischer all season, also qualified. He finished third.
The other win came in the pole vault. Raymond Powers cleared 12 feet, 6 inches to win that event.
"He's ranked second in the state for season," said Griffith of Powers. "In the regionals, though, he had the best jump. He's got a chance to win it."
The Indians qualified two others as well in the pole vault. Nick Green and David Haws both will battle in Charleston.
Other boys qualifying individually include McElfresh (100 meters), Haws (800 meters), Wilson (110 meter high hurdles, long jump), Fischer (110 meter high hurdles), Josh Goad (long jump) and Sam Romano (shot put, discus). Although he finished fifth in the high jump, D'Andre Parker qualified with a jump of 6 feet, which is the qualifying mark for the meet.
On the girls side, the close setback had nothing to do with the effort of Lauren Gilbert. Gilbert took high point honors with 30 by winning the 100 meters (13.29 seconds), the 200 (27.2 seconds) and finishing runner-up in the 400.
"....," said BHS girls coach Jim Dawson.
The Indians had another performer win an event as expected. Emilee Stout, the defending champion at pole vault, won the regional crown with a mark of 9 feet.
"...," said Dawson.
Bridgeport's Kate Merinar also qualified in a pair of events. She was third in the 1600 meters and second in the 3200 meter event.
Sarah Abbate, who won the 100 meter hurdles last year, will have a chance to defend her title. She came in fourth at the regional.
Jenna Goff earned a trip south as well with a fourth place finish in the high jump. She'll be joined by Logan Bryant, who finished second in the pole vault.
As for the relay teams, the Indians qualified teams in four of the five events. Only the 4x100 eam, which finished fifth, failed to get in. The 4x200 team was fourth, the 4x200 team came in second, the 4x800 team came in third and the shuttle hurdles team was also second.
"...," said Dawson of the relays.