Eckstein’s sixth place finish paces local state finalists

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Batesville junior Ayden Eckstein (middle) received a podium finish in the IHSAA Boys Track and Field State Finals on Saturday. He placed sixth in the high jump.

A successful high school track and field season came to an end this past weekend in Bloomington with the completion of the IHSAA Track and Field State Championships on the campus of Indiana University. 

Six coverage area student-athletes took part in the state finals. Warren Central won the girls state crown on Friday while Fishers claimed the boys championship on Saturday.

It was Saturday that saw the best coverage area finish as Batesville junior Ayden Eckstein placed sixth out of 31 competitors in the high jump. As has been the case for the majority of the spring, Eckstein recorded his usual leap of six feet and six inches which tied him for sixth with Homestead’s Ethan Widenhoefer. Elliot Ryba of Greenfield-Central, who was also a sectional and regional champion, was the high jump state champion at six feet and 10 inches. Heights of 6’9, 6’8 and 6’7 took spots two through five on the leaderboard.

One day prior on Friday saw the five coverage area girls take part in the state finals. Batesville’s quartet of Kaylie Raver, Bayleigh Demaree, Kaylynn Bedel and Megan Allgeier finished 17th out of 27 in the 3200 relay with a time of 9:38.84. Fort Wayne Concordia’s crew of Brylee Crass, Sidney Schuermann, Lexi Panning and Mallory Weller won in a blazing time of 9:00.52.

Also competing for the Lady Bulldogs was Ella King and the freshman in her state finals debut placed 21st out of 26 competitors in the shot put. King threw a distance of 37 feet and 2.25 inches and just missed the Top 20 by less than six inches. Bloomington South’s Hadley Lucas earned top honors with a throw of 51 feet and 11 inches which is not only a state finals record but also the top distance in the nation this year. Greensburg senior Emarie Jackson finished runner-up at 48 feet and nine inches.

South Ripley’s Alexa Yeomans was set for a state finals appearance in the 100 hurdles but did not compete. Yeomans along with several other students from South Ripley set out for an education-based trip to Europe over the weekend.

The end of the track and field season in the high school ranks now gives way to summer competition which includes the Southeastern Indiana Racing Circuit Series beginning this month.