That’s why they call it track AND field.

The Chesterton boys track and field team dropped a pair of decisions to LaPorte (68-64) and Valparaiso (73-59) in a Duneland Athletic Conference double dual on Tuesday.

“ Our field events continue to go very well,” Chesterton coach John Snyder said. “I was very pleased with them. We had a couple of setbacks in the track portion that concern me that goes along with competing and racing.”

With LaPorte and Chesterton hashing it out in the end, the 4x400 relay determined the score. Even with every stride and push, the group consisting of Joe Troop, Jon Watson, Austin Palombizio and Ryan Cutter, could not make up the lost ground finishing second to LaPorte’s relay and third to Valpo’s winning quartet.

“I don’t believe we are a good dual meet team because we are not very deep,” Snyder said. “But we have our better athletes that can win the conference meet because they are so good at the top. If we go ahead and get some guys to step out and shine we can do well next Wednesday.

“There are some really good teams of course but I think we have a really good shot at it.”

The Trojans conquered the top three spots in the pole vaulting competition. Justin Zosso took top honors, scoring 14-9 followed by Peter Fouts 13-0 and Tyler Fozkos 12-0.

On the track, Ryan Cutter (1600, 800) and Joe Troop (400) were Chesterton’s top scorers against the Slicers and Vikings with second place finishes.

“Justin Zosso continuing to PR was great,” Snyder said. “He went 14-9, just inching closer and closer to our school record of 15 feet, so that was a huge highlight of tonight.

“Ryan Cutter also ran well, but got edged out. He needs to think about that for Wednesday.”

Other winners included Kody Galloway jumping 21-5 1/2 in the long jump and taking second place in the high jump (6-0). Dan Dellumo placed first in the shot (52-2) and second in discus (134-8) behind LaPorte’s Austin Epple’s throw of 135-8.

The Trojans displayed additional good performances by Richie Ruff taking third place in the 110 hurdles and fourth in the 300 hurdles. Tyler Rusboldt ran to a third place finish in the 3,200 (9:55.93), behind Valpo runners Ahmad Aljobeh (9:50.26) and Peyton Reed (9:53.83).

“Tyler Rusboldt continues to do some outstanding things,” Snyder said. “He had a great 3200 run. I was very happy with it. I think he will be our unknown factor for Wednesdays’ conference meet.

“Richie Ruff ran against two guys that are state qualifiers. He continues to run and improve and did a nice job tonight.”

Discus – 1. Austin Epple (LP), 135-10; 2. Dan Dellumo (C), 134-8; 3. Lonnie Papas (V), 126-9.

High Jump – 1. Jordan Romanov (V), 6-4; 2. Kody Galloway (C), 6-0; 3. (tie) Elijah Owen (LP), Donnie Johnson (C), 5-8.

Long Jump – 1. Kody Galloway (C), 21-5.5; 2. Jordan Romanov (V), 20-11; 3. Sam Lindquist (C), 19-2.

Pole Vault – 1. Justin Zosso (C), 14-9; 2. Peter Fouts (C), 13; 3. Tyler Fozkos (C), 12.

Shot Put – 1. Dan Dellumo (C), 52-2; 2. Jake Grossnickle (V), 50-4.5; 3. Nathan Brock (C), 45-7.

4x800 Relay – 1. LaPorte, 8;16.88; 2. Valparaiso, 8:18.98; 3. Chesterton (Austin Palombizio, Kevin Miloshoff, McNicholas, Kroeger), 8:51.06.

110 Hurdles – 1. Andrew Kittridge (V), 15.04; 2. Skyler Coburn (LP), 15.35; 3. Ritchie Ruff (C), 15.64.

100 – 1. Payton McCoy (LP), 11.23; 2. James O’Neal (LP), 11.24; 3. Alex Vasile (V), 11.39.

1600 – 1. Mitch Hubner (LP), 4:23.66; 2. Ryan Cutter (C), 4:23.68; 3. Ahmad Aljobeh (V), 4:29.83.

4x100 Relay – 1. LaPorte, 44.14; 2. Valparaiso, 44.41; 3. Chesterton (Adam Lara, Kyle Galloway, Dylan Pasley, Justin Moore), 46.24.

400 – 1. Dan Marchetti (V), 51.46; 2. Joe Troop (C), 51.88; 3. Jon Watson (C), 52.03.

300 H. – 1. Skler Coburn (LP), 40.05; 2. Alex Vasile (V), 41.67; 3. Josh Marchetti (V), 41.78.

800 – 1. Mitch Hubner (LP), 2:01.56; 2. Ryan Cutter (C), 2:02.35; 3. Stewart West (LP), 2:02.63.

200 – 1. Payton McCoy (LP), 22.58; 2. James O’Neal (LP), 22.98; 3. Joe Troop (C), 23.38.

3200 – 1. Ahmad Aljobeh (V), 9:50.26; 2. Peyton Reed (V), 9:53.83; 3. Tyler Rusboldt (C), 9:55.93.

4x400 Relay – 1. Valparaiso, 3:29.62; 2. LaPorte, 3:30.2; 3. Chesterton (Joe Troop, Jon Watson, Austin Palombizio, Ryan Cutter), 3:33.01.

Posted 5/4/2011