For The Tribune
Seymour’s Ashton Chase and Brownstown Central’s Brooklyn Snodgrass came up big in the Seymour girls track sectional Tuesday night at Bulleit Stadium.
Chase dominated the distances, Snodgrass proved to be the fastest girl in the meet in the sprints, and both ran on winning relay teams.
Chase won the 1,600 with a time of 5-minutes, 22.46 seconds, she won the 3,200 in 11:54.18, and she teamed up with Emma Brock, Courtney Mansfield and Brett Kleber to win the 4×800 relay in 10:39.83.
Chase helped the Owls score 122 points to place first, while Snodgrass sparked the Braves to second place with 109 points.
Chase said she knew it was going to take a strong performance by her if the Owls were to win their sixth straight sectional.
“I was just trying to help the team out with the relay,” she said. “I just wanted to get that momentum going into the mile and two-mile. I tried to get a good push and a good lead. I think I did that so I feel great. I’m glad I got the wins for us.”
Seymour coach Spencer Sunbury said he was pleased with the team effort and also praised Sarah Benefiel.
“Sarah was second in the pole vault (8-feet, 6-inches), and sixth in the 300 hurdles,” Sunbury said. “In the seeds she wasn’t even in the mix for scoring and had a run of her life there in the 300s. She had an incredible night tonight.
“Everyone in the 4×400 relay, and the 4×100 relay nailed it tonight. I know there were a lot of PR’s all over the place. It’s been a few years since I’ve been around the track team and it’s very refreshing to see all the enthusiasm and just effort that was put out by this team this year. Hats off to these girls. They deserve it. It’s a good show for Seymour High School.”
Seymour had two other sectional champions in Avery DeHart in the pole vault at 8-6, and Emma Brock in the 800 with a time of 2:33.66.
Snodgrass won the 100 in 12.77, the 200 in 27.70, and she teamed up with Keeli Darlage, Madison Klinge and Kristen Stuckwisch to win the 400 relay in 52.47.
Snodgrass was also fourth in the pole vault.
“I felt I did pretty well,” Snodgrass said. “My starts were a little shaky, especially with how hot it was. It kind of takes energy out of you. My 200 was much better. I really got out and kept up with the Jennings County girl and once I got by her I went all out on the back stretch.”
Braves coach Maria Conklin said her team came up with several excellent performances.
“We did well in a lot of events, not quite as great in some as what we would have wanted, but we performed well across the board, so I’m excited,” she said. “All of our relay teams advanced to regional so that’s good, our throwers advanced in the discus and Kirsten (Stuckwisch) advanced in the 400.
“Seymour stepped up to the plate tonight and ran really well on their home track so props to them on the win. I’ll take the second-place finish. We’re young, we only have two seniors. Trentity (Vaught) is a pretty good thrower. It was a good night.”
Crothersville coach Cheryl Nehrt and Trinity Lutheran coach Caleb Tormoehlen said they were pleased with their seniors that advanced.
Breanna Barger will be in two events at the Bloomington North Regional as she advanced with a second place in the 800 and third in the mile, while Kristina Christian finished third in the 300 hurdles.
Hailley Peters was Trinity’s only regional qualifier as she won the high jump for the third straight year with a height of 5-3.