The Graham Invitational in St. Paris on Friday evening brought together 20 teams on Friday for a deep, competitive night across track and field. West Liberty-Salem emerged as the boys team champion, while Indian Lake finished fifth, and both programs along with Calvary Christian and Triad collected key performances across the board. On the girls’ side, West Liberty-Salem placed third, Indian Lake finished eighth, and Triad added scoring efforts in a balanced team field.
BOYS
West Liberty-Salem (1st place – 97 points)
West Liberty-Salem controlled the meet with strength across distance, hurdles, relays, and field events.
Asher Cole led the distance group by winning the 1600 in 4:27.90, while Caleb Larson finished second in 4:29.02. Larson also doubled back for a runner-up finish in the 3200 (9:53.19), with Dylan King close behind in third (10:09.68), giving the Tigers a dominant distance trio.
Taryn Bradley was a key scorer in the hurdles, finishing second in both the 110 hurdles (15.95) and 300 hurdles (40.70), while also contributing to the winning 4×100 relay (43.87) with Jackson Henry, Sam Kidd, and Kamden Yang.
Sam Kidd added a third-place finish in the 200 (22.78), and the Tigers stayed consistent in relays with fourth in the 4×200 (1:34.72) and fifth in the 4×400 (3:35.96).
In the field, Lucas Merriman placed fourth in the pole vault (11-0), and Kamden Yang added a seventh-place long jump (18-4).
Indian Lake (5th place – 65 points)
Indian Lake was powered by standout individual performances in hurdles and throws.
Gavin Henry swept both hurdle events, winning the 110 hurdles (15.45) and 300 hurdles (40.39).
Christopher Timms had a major day in the throws, winning discus (124-8) and placing fourth in shot put (52-10.5).
Aidan Stinebaugh placed fourth in the 400 (52.15) and ran on the third-place 4×400 relay with Henry, Kade Richardson, and Silas Holbrook (3:34). The 4×100 relay team of Henry, Noah Shirk, KeShawn Blackwell, and Holbrook placed fourth in 45.11.
Carter Barnett added a fourth-place long jump (19-2), while Wes Campbell placed fifth in the high jump (5-10) and Blake Sell finished eighth (5-8). Holbrook also placed eighth in the 200 (23.45), and Wyatt Whitsett added sixth in shot put (41-10.5).
Calvary Christian (11th place – 19 points)
Calvary Christian scored through relays and distance events.
The Spartans placed sixth in both the 4×800 and 4×200 relays. John Gaertner led the team with a second-place finish in the 800, while Adly Knox contributed in the 1600. Kaden Simpson added a fifth-place finish in the 3200.
Triad (15th place – 8.5 points)
Triad earned points through hurdles and relay efforts.
Devon Minor led the Cardinals with a third-place finish in the 110 hurdles. The 4×800 relay team placed seventh to round out Triad’s scoring on the boys side.
GIRLS
West Liberty-Salem (T-3rd place – 62 points
West Liberty-Salem delivered a strong all-around girls performance built on field events, distance, and relays.
Lyndee Harrison placed third in the shot put, while Tori Douthwaite finished second in the pole vault. Chloe Griffith added a runner-up performance early in the meet.
The distance group contributed with Malia Miller placing third in the 3200, followed closely by Isla Leichty.
The Tigers also added a third-place finish in the 4×200 relay.
Indian Lake (T-8th place – 31 points)
Indian Lake was led by one of the top individual performances of the meet from Addison Beck.
Beck won the high jump with a personal-best 5-2, placed third in the 100 (13.17), and added a third-place finish in the long jump (15-7.25).
Terra Beltz placed second in the shot put with a personal-best 31-6.
The 4×800 relay team of Laura Metzger, Haley Metzger, Karsyn Newkirk, and Alicia Brielmaier finished eighth in 11:41.
Triad (15th place – 9.5 points)
Triad’s girls scored through a mix of field and running events.
Kimber Instine placed fifth in the high jump and also contributed in the 100 hurdles. Aubrie Johnson added a fourth-place finish in the mile to lead the Lady Cardinals.
