Indiana High School Athletic Association, Inc.

9150 North Meridian Street, Box 40650, Indianapolis, Indiana 46240-0650

Phone: 317-846-6601 Fax: 317-575-4244 Website: www.ihsaa.org

Blake Ress, Commissioner

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May 30, 2008

WARREN CENTRAL WINS THIRD STRAIGHT STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

Warren Central notched their third consecutive state championship in the 35th Annual IHSAA State Finals at the Robert C. Haugh Track and Field Complex in Bloomington. A crowd of 4,206 watched as Warren Central compiled 47 points, just four more than the second place finisher North Central (Indianapolis).

Warren Central held a slim four point lead over North Central (Indianapolis) before the gun went off for the 1600 meter relay. The Warriors were leading after the first lap of their heat when a mishandled baton exchange between the first and second leg took them out of contention for race. Warren did not finish the relay. North Central needed to place fifth or better to dethrone the two-time champions, but failed to crack the top ten in the relay allowing Warren Central to grab their third consecutive state track title.

In a night of repeat performances, Warren Central senior Candyce McGrone headlined a long list of athletes who successfully defended their state championship titles. South Dearborn senior Kathy Klump (800), Lawrence North senior Felisha Johnson (shot put), Batesville sophomore Ellie Tidman (high jump) and the 3200 meter relay team from Westfield each took home their second state crowns. Four other athletes, junior Hannah Farley (400), junior Erynn Young (long jump), senior Rachel Deloney (shot put), and senior Alex Banfich (3200) each captured their third championship in their respective events.

McGrone collected her seventh and eighth career state titles with victories in the 100 (11.74) and 200 (24.18). The North Central (Indianapolis) Panthers’ 400 meter relay team fended off McGrone and the defending champion Warren Central Warriors to take the title with a time of 47.35.

Alex Banfich of Culver Academies again breezed to wins in the 1600 and 3200 meter runs. Her wins today make her the winningest distance runner in IHSAA history, with five coming from track and field and three from cross country.

In the long jump, Erynn Young of Muncie Central took the crown for the third straight year with a mark of 18-4. Ellie Tidman of Batesville captured the high jump with a leap of 5’9.5, a half inch better than her winning jump last year.

Hannah Farley blazed past the competition to finish first in the 400 with a time of 54.31. She finished second in the 200 and was part of the Panther’s sixth place finish the 1600 meter relay.

Chelsea Blanchard of Carroll (Fort Wayne) Named Winner of Mental Attitude Award

Members of the IHSAA Executive Committee selected Chelsea Blanchard of Carroll (Fort Wayne) High School as the winner of the Mental Attitude Award following the meet.

Chelsea competed in the 1600 and 3200 meter runs for Carroll (Fort Wayne). She is also a three time All-State cross country runner for the Chargers. She is the daughter of Kim and Suzette Blanchard of Fort Wayne.

Blanchard is ranked eighth in her class of 420. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Peer Networking, and the Fine Arts Connection.

Besides track, she has also lettered in cross country and was captain and MVP of this year’s Chargers squad. Blanchard will attend Indiana University in the fall to pursue a degree in visual arts education.

Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, the proud corporate partner of the IHSAA, presented a $1,000 scholarship to Carroll (Fort Wayne) High School in the name of Chelsea Blanchard.

State Champions

Pole Vault – Margo Tucker, 10, Lawrence Central, 12-6.

Long Jump – Erynn Young, 11, Muncie Central, 18-4.

Discus – Rachel Deloney, 12, Bloomington North, 151-4.

High Jump – Ellie Tidman, 10, Batesville, 5-9.5.

Shot Put – Felisha Johnson, 12, Lawrence North, 47-6.25.

3200 Relay – Westfield (Kaitlyn Love 11, Maggie Bingham 12, Waverly Neer 9, Breanne Ehrman 12) 9:12.61.

100 Hurdles – Sarah Snapp, 12, Shelbyville, 14.65.

100 Meters – Candyce McGrone, 12, Warren Central, 11.74.

1600 Meters – Alex Banfich, 12, Culver Academies, 4:55.12.

400 Relay – North Central (Erica Blythe 12, La’Teasa Cannon 12, Katie Popp 12, Ashley Quarles 11) 47.35.

400 Meters – Hannah Farley, 11, Park Tudor, 54.31.

300 Hurdles – Stacia Weatherford, 11, Lawrence North, 43.45.

800 Meters – Katherine Klump, 12, South Dearborn, 2:10.20.

200 Meters – Candyce McGrone, 12, Warren Central, 24.18.

3200 Meters – Alex Banfich, 12, Culver Academies, 10:46.55.

1600 Relay –Lawrence North (Courtney Hill 12, Stacia Weatherford 11, Ashley Spencer 9, Ahlivia Spencer 10), 3:52.33.

Top 10 Teams

1.	Warren Central	47
2.	North Central (Indpls.)	43
3.	Lawrence North	35
4.	Munster	33
5.	Park Tudor	27
6.	Westfield	22
7.	Lake Central	20.5
T8.	Culver Academies	20
T8.	Carroll (Fort Wayne)	20
10.	Bloomington North	18