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One day after three state meet records fell during the boys finals, six more were toppled during the 38th Annual IHSAA Girls Track and Field State Finals capping an impressive weekend of performances at the Robert C. Haugh Track and Field Complex in Bloomington.

For the fifth time in girls track and field history, the meet ended in a tie as Fort Wayne Northrop and Lawrence North both accumulated 42 points to share the team crown. The last tie was between Harding and Lawrence Central in 1996.  Fort Wayne Northrop did not record a victory in  any event, while Lawrence North won both the 400 meter and 1600 meter relays.  Sophomore Majaica Brooks, junior Christa Hammond, senior Alyssa Walker, and senior Ashley Spencer earned the 400 meter relay state title with a time of 47.02, while sophomore Majaica Brooks, seniors Antonia Franklin, Ashley Spencer, and Chelsey Miller recorded a record-setting time of 3:47.37, breaking the record of 3:47.89, held by the 2002 Fort Wayne Northrop squad.

Senior Waverly Neer of Culver Academies had two record-setting performances, shattering the mile record with a time of 4:43.46, bettering the mark of 4:49.38 set in 2003 by Carmel’s Katie Harrington.  In her second event of the day, Neer distanced herself from the pack in the 3200 to take the title with a time of 10:24.29, a record previously set by former Olympian and East Noble graduate Amy Yoder in 1996.

Senior Tori Bliss of Portage became the first athlete to break the 50-foot mark in the shot put with her throw of 50-9, while successfully defending her 2010 championship and setting a new meet record.  Stacy Martin of Edgewood had held the record of 49-7 since 1999.  Southridge junior Cassie Wertman came in second and also broke the 50-foot mark with her heave of 50-3.  Wertman came in first in the discus with a toss measuring 143-4.

Junior Skyler Carpenter of Westview had a tremendous day, winning three state titles and setting a record. She took both hurdle events, crossing the line in the 100 meter hurdles in a time of 14.36, and was victorious in the 300 meter hurdles with a time of 42.03, breaking a 24-year old state record held by Columbia City’s Deb Sauers (42.51).  Carpenter also claimed the 300 hurdle title in 2010, giving her back-to-back state championships in the event. Her mark of 18-3.5 was good for first in the long jump, putting her just ahead of teammate Mandy Jones, a junior who finished second at 18-0.5.

In the 800 meter run, Park Tudor senior Abby Farley won the event for the third straight year and lowered the record time for the second year in a row coming in at 2:08.91. Abby joins her sister Hannah as a three-time event champion; the elder Farley owned the 400 meter dash from 2006-2008.

Junior Sarah Bennett, senior Alex Chitwood, senior Irene Gibson, and junior Lauren Kahre teamed up to help Carmel defend its state title in the 3200 meter relay clocking in at 9:13.01.

The Gutermuth sisters of Leo went 1-2 in the pole vault, with Nina claiming the top spot at 12-9 and Sophie placing second at 12-6.  Other winners include Indian Creek junior Katie Wise in the 100 meter dash (11.91), Pike junior Morgan Yeadon in the 200 meter dash (24.10), and Lawrence Central junior MonTayla Holder in the 400 meter dash (55.27).  Fort Wayne Snider sophomore Shanelle DeJournett cleared 5-8 to claim the high jump state title.

Lawrence North was led by head coach Hillary Church, while Fort Wayne Northrop was directed by Tom Knudson.  Saturday’s attendance was recorded at 3,702.

38th Annual IHSAA Girls Track & Field State Finals
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Robert C. Haugh Track and Field Complex
Indiana University, Bloomington, Ind.

Top 10 Teams
T1. Fort Wayne Northrop: 42
T1. Lawrence North: 42
3.   Westview: 38
4.    Lawrence Central: 32
5.    Fort Wayne Wayne: 31
T6.  Fort Wayne Snider: 29
T6.  North Central (Indianapolis): 29
8.    Ben Davis: 25
9.    Carmel: 23
10.  Bloomington South: 21.5

State Champions
Pole Vault – Nina Gutermuth, 12, Leo, 12-9.
Long Jump – Skyler Carpenter, 11, Westview, 18-3.5.
Discus – Cassie Wertman, 11, Southridge, 143-4.
High Jump – Shanelle DeJournett, 10, Fort Wayne Snider, 5-8.
Shot Put – Tori Bliss, 12, Portage, 50-9. State Meet Record
3200 Relay – Carmel (Sarah Bennett 11, Alex Chitwood 12, Irene Gibson 12, Lauren Kahre 11), 9:13.01.
100 Hurdles – Skyler Carpenter, 11, Westview, 14.36.
100 Meters – Katie Wise, 11, Indian Creek, 11.91.
1600 Meters – Waverly Neer, 12, Culver Academies, 4:43.46. State Meet Record
400 Relay – Lawrence North (Majaica Brooks 10, Christa Hammond 11, Alyssa Walker 12, Ashley Spencer 12), 47.02.
400 Meters – MonTayla Holder, 11, Lawrence Central, 55.27.
300 Hurdles – Skyler Carpenter, 11, Westview, 42.03. State Meet Record
800 Meters – Abby Farley, 12, Park Tudor, 2:08.91. State Meet Record
200 Meters – Morgan Yeadon, 11, Pike, 24.10.
3200 Meters – Waverly Neer, 12, Culver Academies, 10:20.66. State Meet Record
1600 Relay – Lawrence North (Majaica Brooks 10, Antonia Franklin 12, Ashley Spencer 12, Chelsey Miller 12), 3:47.37. State Meet Record

Tori Bliss of Portage Wins Mental Attitude Award
Members of the IHSAA Executive Committee announced Tori Bliss of Portage High School as the winner of this year’s Mental Attitude Award in Girls Track and Field.

Bliss successfully defended her title in the shot put, setting a new state record with a toss of 50-9.  With the effort, Bliss becomes the first athlete to surpass the 50 foot mark in state finals history.  Bliss was also a double winner in 2010, taking top honors in the shot put and discus.  She is a four-time Duneland Athletic Conference champion in the shot put and earned recognition as the 2010 national champion at the New Balance Outdoor Championships.  Bliss is a four year letterwinner in basketball and has also participated in soccer and softball.

A member of the National Honor Society, Bliss excels in the classroom with a 3.7 grade point average.  She is part of the Captains’ Council and Diversity Club, and has volunteered with the Salvation Army, Angel Tree, and several  blood drives and youth basketball camps.

Next year, Bliss will attend Louisiana State University to major in kinesiology.  She is the daughter of Debbie Bliss of Portage.

Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, the proud corporate partner of all IHSAA tournaments, presented a $1,000 scholarship to Portage High School in the name of Tori Bliss.