Led by Finley Huber, Harrison track advances to state in 7 events

LAFAYETTE — Finley Huber was approached by the Harrison track coaches during the post sectional period where coaches decide which events they'll scratch runners for the following week's regional.

Huber had qualified for the regional in four events, two relays and two individual.

The reason for seeking out Huber was to ask which events he wanted to run in the regional meet.

After a brief self counsel, Huber decided to run them all, which would mean competing in six races (two preliminary and four finals).

With his future college sprints coach in attendance, Huber put on a show Thursday night at Scheumann Stadium.

Huber not only competed in four events, the Harrison senior advanced to the IHSAA state finals in all four, winning the 200 meters in 21.64 seconds over Avon's Marcus Townsend after Townsend had edged Huber by .006 of a second in the 100 earlier in the meet.

Huber also anchored Harrison's 400 relay and ran the first leg of the 1,600 relay.

"Last year, I only made it (to the state finals) in the 4x400 as a relay and the 100 individually," said Huber, who'll run collegiately at Cedarsville University in Ohio. "And I just barely got there in the 100."

Huber's performance was part of a spectacular night for the Raiders overall, who'll be represented in seven events at the IHSAA state finals on June 1 at Indiana University's Haugh Track and Field Complex.

"We have a really good chance of doing something at the state meet," Huber said. "We came short last year. We're feeling really confident. Not cocky, but we feel like we can go there and put up some good times and drop a couple more records for our school."

Harrison's banner day

In addition to Huber advancing in both the 100 and 200, fellow senior Andres Negron-Carrero will compete in the state meet in the 400 after placing second at the regional in 48.51 seconds and senior Jaiden Goins finished the 800 in a state standard time of 1:54.60.

All three Harrison relays made it through.

The 3,200 relay started the meet off on the right foot for the Raiders, hitting a state standard. Evan Lottes, James Ford, Brayden Rund and Goins finished the meet-opening race in sixth place, but in an automatic qualifying time of 7:56.54.

Harrison's 400 relay team anchored by Huber also includes Carter Knoy, Jace Barnett and Bennett McRoberts. That foursome placed third in 41.53. The Raiders capped the meet with a fourth-place finish in the 1,600 relay in a state standard time of 3:21.63 on the legs of Huber, Jeffrey Williams, Brody Emerich and Negron-Carrero.

Harrison placed fourth in the team standings behind regional champion Hamilton Southeastern, Fishers and Avon. The Raiders expect to be in similar territory when team scores are tallied next week.

"Going into this season, my goal for the guys' team was top five in the state," Harrison coach Chris Crum said. "There were times where I said that was way too much of a lofty goal, but I think it is possible. That's what we're shooting four. Top five in the state."

Strong finish for West Side relay

West Lafayette is a constant at the IHSAA state finals, but entering the final event the Red Devils had no state qualifiers.

Paced by a regional record-breaking performance by Hamilton Southeastern's 1,600 relay, the foursome of Ian Strachan, Ben Fredette, Brennan Wood and Daniel Schomer placed third in 3:20.74.

The third-place finish automatically qualified the team for the state meet, but for good measure, the time also hit a state standard that would've guaranteed a trip to Bloomington regardless of place.

Sam King covers sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at sking@jconline.com and follow him on Twitter and Instagram @samueltking.