| HARRY GREEN INVITATIONAL APIRL 18 EDITION OF THE BRIDGEPORT NEWS by Jeff Toquinto Editor of The Bridgeport News Friday's first day of the Harry Green Invitational proved to be more than just a way for It also proved to be a way for the Braves to showcase their track teams. BMS's boys and girls track teams managed to outdistance the competition and take wins in their respective divisions. The boys won with 131 points to get past a field of eight other schools, while the girls totaled 135 points to get past 10 other opponents. "I was very impressed with the boys and girls victories Friday," said BMS track coach Rob Riley. "The teams got those wins against quality opponents." The boys topped a pair of long-time powers in with 97 points, and with 91 points. Elkins also was solid with 87 points. The boys were able to get to the top spot using a team loaded with talent and depth. Even in the events the Braves didn't get a first place finish, they had several place to earn points. "That's where our depth was the difference and it was the case with both the boys and the girls," said Riley. "That's the key to winning an invitational." Most of the first place finishes the Braves boys received came in the field events. Matt Wilson did manage to land a pair of first place finishes. He was tops in both the high jump and the long jump, while Nathan Schwenk was first in the pole vault. Although not taking first place, Heath Haws was solid with a second in the 3200-meter run, fourth place in the 1600-meter event and sixth in the pole vault. Guy Nicholson also placed in several events. He was second in the 400-meter event, third in the shot put and was joined by Travis Belasco, Michael Morehead and Daniel Hill as a member of the winning 4x200 relay team. On the girls side, the Braves were led by Lauren Gilbert. Gilbert managed to take the event. "She turned in the performance of the night on the girls side," said Riley. "She did it in an impressive manner." In fact, Gilbert won the 100 and 200-meter events, was second in the 400-meter run, and third in the pole vault. Her 200 time would have placed her second in the prep meet, while her time in the 400, although second in the middle school event, was better than the first place finisher at the prep level. Amanda Fischer was also solid as the took top honors in the high jump, was second in the 800-meters, fifth in the 400 and on the winning 4x800-meter relay team. Jenna Fogg, also on the winning 4x800 team, was second in the 3200 and third in the 1600. Fogg and Fischer were joined by Kara Miller and Megan Dent-Carmen on the 4x800 team. The 4x200 team of Lara Gallagher, Victoria Gorby, Jackie Kapp and Elizabeth Saliga also took home first place. Riley also pointed to Tedi Derickson (third in discus, sixth in shot) and Marie Conley (fourth in 75-meter hurdles, sixth in the 200-meter hurdles and a member of the second place shuttle hurdle team) as having solid meets. The meet, which ended at start, had a huge turnout. Along with the competition being solid, the weather Friday was fantastic. "It was the biggest crowd I had ever seen for a middle school meet," said Riley. The Braves were back in action last night at Washington Irving. They return to action again this coming Tuesday at the McKinley Invitational at |