EP took first in three events and qualified by time in a fourth at the sectional meet they hosted on Wednesday. The first two place finishers in each event automatically advance to state along with those that exceed the qualifying standards.
The Panther pole vaulting dual of Carson Eyrich and Nathan Punke both qualified going 1-2 in the event. Eyrich took first with a PB of 4.20m (13′ 9.25″) and Punke cleared 4.05m (13′ 3.5′) well over the qualifying standard but well below his PB. The duo should be in the medal hunt at Charleston.
Braeden Punke won the 800m by .01 seconds in a time of 2:04:07, an eyelash in front of Payton Summers of Sherrard with the third place finisher clocking a 2:04.09. Punke was in sixth with 200m left in the race and put on a kick to take the win.
Lane Decker claimed first place in the 300m hurdles in 40.55 just under his PB.
Despite placing third, the 4x800m relay qualified for state with their best time of the season running an 8:23.4, well below the QT of 8:32. Braeden and Nathan Punke along with Justin Wainscott, and Gus Schultz carried the baton. Rock Island Alleman won the event with a time of 8:17 followed by Sherrard in 8:18. Six teams in the event qualified for the state finals. The relay should also be in the hunt to make the medal stand in ten days.
The Panther’s 4x400m relay took third and missed the qualifying time by just over a second. Decker, the Punke brothers and Gaven Adams competed in the event.
Lena-Winslow won the sectional amassing 92 points one better than runner-up Riverdale. Morrison on the strength of their sprinters was third with 72. EP placed fifth in the seventeen team field with 66.5 points.
The preliminaries for Class1A get underway a week from Thursday.
Complete IHSA Erie Sectional Results
