Ryle track racing into top form

Written by James Weber

Ryle track racing into top form

BOONE COUNTY — The Ryle boys track team is certainly not resting on its laurels after winning the regional team championship in 2012.

The Raiders are off to a strong start to the 2013 season, the latest triumph helping Ryle to the combined team championship in the Boone County championship meet April 3. Ryle won the boys meet and finished second in the girls meet, with the combined scores edging St. Henry for the overall title.

The six schools in the county competed, and were only allowed one entrant in each event.

Ryle won eight of the 17 boys events. Nick Kennedy won the 100 meters and long jump. Michael Finkelstein won both the shot put and discus. Michael Bateman won the 200, and the Raiders won all three sprint relays.

“We’ve had a considerable amount of depth, which has really helped us,” said Ryle boys head coach Russell Harden. “We don’t have to run everybody in multiple events every meet. We can get guys more practice. It’s been very fortunate.”

Kennedy, one of the area’s top returning runners, is coming off three regional championships in the 100 and 200 meters and the long jump.

“Nick has had an excellent season so far,” Harden said. “He’s been winning long jump by 12 to 18 inches every meet. We look to keep him going moving forward. We’ve had a lot of success in the sprints. Our throwing events have been outstanding with Michael Finkelstein.”

Ryle won three girls events, Alexandra Patterson in the 400, Jacqueline Jones in the 1,600 and Ashlee Howe in the triple jump.

Ryle will host its annual relay meet Thursday, April 18, which will have the same format for the conference championships Tuesday, April 23. The conference meet is a major regular season goal for Ryle and others.

“The Ryle Relays is usually earlier in the year,” Harden said. “We decided to move it back and use the meet to prepare for conference. A lot of the teams we’ll be competing against at conference will be there.”

In the Boone meet, St. Henry won the girls championship, claiming seven events. Holly Blades (3,200), Sam Hentz (high jump), Cheyenne Tobler (shot put) and Sierra Harlan (discus) won solo events, and St. Henry won three relays.

In the boys meet, Craig Aldridge won the high jump and triple jump, and Austin Eibel the 300 hurdles.

Boone County senior Jessica Jones had an outstanding meet, winning three events for the Rebels.

Cooper was second in the boys meet, winning five events. The Jaguars won twice in the girls meet. Walton-Verona had two champions and Conner one.