May 5 Edition
The Bridgeport News

by Jeff Toquinto
News Editor

Although it wasn’t the state track meet, this past
weekend’s Gazette Invitational generally serves as a
measuring stick as to where teams stand. If that’s the
case, Bridgeport’s boys and girls track teams are in pretty good shape.
The boys finished second, while the girls were fourth
in the meet. The event was held at Laidley Field - the
site of the state meet - in Charleston.
Saturday's effort now has the BHS boys ranked No. 1 in
its boys Class AAA power rankings.
"After this weekend, I'm not sure that is totally
justified," said boys coach Jon Griffith. "It is a
nice accomplishment."
Bridgeport’s boys finished with 102 points, which was
well off the pace of Cabell Midland. CMHS totaled 133,
while third place Marietta (Oh.) was well off the pace with 54 points.
The reason for the strong finish was similar to one
the Indians have had all year. The Tribe rode another
strong showing from Matt Wilson as well as an
impressive showing from the relays to help establish
the point total. On top of that, Sam Romano came up big in the field events.
Wilson won the 300 hurdles (39.25 seconds), while
finishing second in the 100 hurdles (14.95 seconds -
photo finish) and third in the high jump (6 feet). He
was also on the winning shuttle hurdles relay team,
which helped him finish with 26 points, good enough
for second high point medalist honors.
"He had a good weekend, but he's not 100 percent,”
said Griffith. "His shins have been bothering him."
The Indians also got a big boost from Romano. Romano
won the shot put (47 feet, 11 inches), while taking
second in the discus (128 feet, 8 inches).
“Sam turned in his best performance of the year in the
shot and did well in the discus,” said Griffith. “The
field at the region will be tougher than what we saw at the Gazettes.”
In the relays, Bridgeport was second in three races,
while winning the shuttles. Grant Burton, Justin
Findley, D’Andre Parker and Wilson posted a winning time of 59.86 seconds.
The boys were runners-up in the 4x100, 4x200 and
4x400. The second place teams consisted of the 4x100
group of Alex McElfresh, Steven Lewis, Wesley Eades
and Jeff Weimer (44.96); the 4x200 team of McElfresh,
Lewis, Eades and Weimer (1 minute, 35.2 seconds); and
the 4x400 team of Eades, Daniel Fischer, Burton and
Findley (3 minutes, 41.65 seconds).
Another solid showing came from Jamal Henderson.
Henderson edged out Wilson for second place in the
high jump with a 6 foot mark.
The Tribe may have fared better, but were without top
sprinter Philip McElfresh. McElfresh is expected to be
back by today after nursing a slight strain.
The BHS girls totaled 58 points, which was well off
the winning pace of Gahanna Lincoln (158) and Marietta
(71). Only one in-state team, Capital, finished higher
than BHS with 58.
Bridgeport managed two first place finishes. One win
came in relays, while the other was an individual win.
"I think everyone ran a personal best," said girls
coach Jim Dawson. "Considering weather and the two-day
event, and that some had to run at 9 a.m. on Saturday
(and that's impressive)."
The relay win came in the 4x102 shuttle hurdles. The
team of Marie Conley, Kara Miller, Lora Gallagher and
Sarah Abbate won with a time of 1 minute, 8.72 seconds.
"They should get the school record before the year is
up," said Dawson.
Freshman Kendall McCaugherty took the lone individual
win. She cleared 5 feet, 2 inches in the high jump.
Abbate managed a second place finish in the 100 meter
hurdles. Abbate finished with a time of 16.31 seconds,
which was her personal career best.
"She was impressive," said Dawson.
Logan Bryant managed a third place for BHS in the pole
vault. She cleared 8 feet.
The Indians were also in a track meet in Elkins last
week. Complete results of that meet were unavailable.