State best: The Chesterton distance medley relay team of (l to r) Allyson Harvey, Ali Bishel, Sarah Kehe and Lena Raffin won the NSR Relays at Indiana University on Saturday with the state’s best time ever of 12:24. (Photo provided)

The Chesterton track and field teams had a highly successful meet at Bloomington Saturday at the unofficial indoor state meet, the NSR Relays, to complete their indoor season. The meet brought together the top 12 performers from the winter in four field events and seven running events for head-to-head competition.

Leading the way for the Trojan girls was the victorious distance medley relay. Running the fastest high school time (12:24) ever for Indiana, indoors or out, the quartet of Ali Bishel (1,200), Lena Raffin (400), Allyson Harvey (800) and Sarah Kehe (1,600) bested a team from state cross country champion Westfield for the win. All four had indoor personal bests.

Harvey, running in place of Kelly Peller who was out due to wisdom teeth surgery, turned in a great effort in keeping pace with Westfield, then giving Kehe a slight margin to work with.

Bishel, Harvey and Kehe were joined by Malorie Crafton to place 5th in the 4x800 (9:49). Crafton turned in a personal best (2:34) to assure a second set of medals for the girls. Bishel and Harvey returned for the next event, the 4x400, and were joined by Raffin and Katie McColly to pick up 10th in 4:15. McColly ran a 64.4 in her first effort at the distance.

McColly also had a 16’6” leap to place eighth in the long jump, while Sagan Newham's 36’7.5” throw was good for 10th in the shot put.

For the boys, Adam Martin ran a 9:29 in the 3,200, good for second, and the 4x400 squad ran an excellent time of 3:34 for 11th.

Two other Trojans ended the season last Thursday with efforts that ranked highly on the final state lists for indoors. Chrissy Watts at 5’2” was in a tie for 10th in the high jump, while Ashley Fozkos had a 15th ranking at 9'6" in the pole vault.

The outdoor season will get going on Thursday, March 30, with a home triangular for the girls against Gary Roosevelt and South Bend Adams.

Posted 3/20/2006