Whitnall girls seek repeat, capture Franklin crown

Greenfield - The goal for Whitnall's girls track and field team this season is clear - repeat as Woodland Conference champion.

The Falcons launched their campaign on a strong note by winning Saturday's Franklin Indoor Invitational at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside with 83 points, beating East Troy's 66 points.

The Falcons prevailed despite being somewhat short-handed.

"We've been plagued early on by some injuries to a couple key distance runners, so we've been without them," head coach Mike Thompson said. "With it being spring break, we're also without some key sprinters. Nevertheless, the girls came ready to compete and did so quite well, as we were able to repeat as Saber Invite champs."

Rachel Stave won a pair of events, taking the 200-meter dash with 26.96 seconds and the triple jump at 35 feet, 6½ inches.

Stave also collected two second places, individually in the 55 dash at 7.72 and with Meredith Heller, Jenny Lawton and Danika Johnson in the 1,600 relay in 4:19.19.

Johnson also put together a strong overall meet, winning the 800 run in 2:32.06 and coming in second in the 1,600 run with 5:29.91.

Lawton added a third in the 55 hurdles (9.62) and Kim Hurst finished third in the 800 run (2:40.67). Heller captured fourth in the 400 dash (1:02.94) and the 3,200 relay of Jasmine Van Tine, Jenny Bahling, Kina Cross and Hurst was fourth as well (11:00.56).

Van Tine placed fifth in the 1,600 run (6:01.96) and Heller was sixth in the 55 hurdles (10.22) to round out the Whitnall scoring.

The Franklin meet was actually the Falcons' first major test of the season.

"With this being our first meet," Thompson said, "it actually gave us a solid five weeks of training before competition. The girls have been pushing themselves hard, as they want to repeat as conference champs."

Whitnall is next in the West Allis Hale Relays at 10 a.m. April 14. After that, everyone should be back from break, and Thompson is hoping some girls will return from injury, so the Falcons can compete at full strength.

Franklin invite results

Whitnall Falcons 83

East Troy Trojans 66

Racine Horlick Rebels 61

Riverside Tigers 61

Muskego Warriors 58

Kenosha Bradford Red Devils 46

Franklin Sabers 45½

Kenosha Tremper Trojans 39

Burlington Demons 27

Racine Case Eagles 24

South Milwaukee Rockets 16

Martin Luther Spartans 8½