SECOND OF TWO (Girls)

By Jeff Toquinto
Editor of The Bridgeport News

For Bridgeport’s girls track coach Jim Dawson, this
past weekend’s Gazette Relay at Charleston’s Laidley
field was more than just a chance to compete at the
site of the state track and field championships. It
was also a chance to see just how well the Indians
stacked up against the best in the state.
Although the Indians didn’t walk away with the
championship in the Class AA-A portion of the meet,
the club did finish third out of 24 teams, including
one from Ohio. The Tribe trailed Winfield (98) and
Doddridge County (75) with 64 points.
The final total, however, may be a bit misleading. Due
to prom on Saturday, the Indians had five of their top
performers not in the competition.
State high hurdles champion Ali Moore, along with
Rachel Williams, Ariel Biggs, Jamie Manning and
Lindsay Burnett did not compete, according to Dawson.
“Winfield may be the team to beat this year,” said
Dawson. “They have a balanced team and could score in
any of the 18 events.”
Theresa Melko managed to score 24 of Bridgeport’s
points. Melko had a pair of second place finishes in
the shot put (37 feet, 5 inches) and the discus (112
feet), while finishing third in the 3200-meter run
with a time of 12 minutes and 49.47 seconds. He throw
in the shot put broke her own school record.
Several other Lady Indians fared well for Bridgeport.
Emily Moore placed in a pair of individual events. She
finished fifth in the 800-meter run with a time
2:35.30 and was also fifth in the 1600-meter run with
a personal best mark of 5:46.69.
Kodie Miller was also strong in the 800-meter run. She
finished fourth with a time of 2:34.84.
The Indians had several relay teams fare well in the
meet. The 4x800-meter team took second (10:42.43),
while the 4x200 (1:57:70) and the shuttle hurdle
(1:13.05) took third.
In the pole vault Emilee Stout continued her strong
showing with a mark of 8 feet. The total was good
enough for second place.
Sarah Bullough managed a third place in the discus.
She threw a personal best mark of 107 feet.
"The only problem we had was the distraction of the
prom," said Dawson. "I hope the team will be refocused
and get ready for the Big 10 this Friday."