Warsaw’s Brittney Rhodes flies to a second-place finish in the 100 hurdles Tuesday night (Photos by Jim Harris)

WARSAW – The Warsaw girls track team had to wait a long, long time before finally getting the chance to showcase their skills outdoors Tuesday night.

The wait was well worth it for the talented Tiger team.

Warsaw, which had its first three meets of the season cancelled due to the cold weather, was red-hot in the season opener on a warm and windy evening at WCHS.

The host Tigers, making their only regular-season appearance at home, easily raced past Plymouth and NorthWood in dominating fashion in Northern Lakes Conference action.

Warsaw, which won NLC, sectional and regional championships in going undefeated in 2012, picked right up where they left off to open the 2013 campaign in impressive fashion.

The host Tigers, led by juniors Ann Harvuout and Jackie Ferguson, defeated Plymouth 101-31 and NorthWood 122-10 in the NLC triangular. Plymouth topped NorthWood by an 87-45 final.

Warsaw coach Scott Erba saw a lot of things to like from his talented team after waiting almost an extra three weeks to see them compete outside.

“It was phenomenal to finally get outside and actually be able to compete tonight as a group,” said Erba, whose team was supposed to begin the season outdoors on March 20. “I was probably more nervous tonight than for a lot of other meets. I thought I knew what we had, but until you actually get to see it you don’t really know.

“I learned a lot tonight that will help us down the road, including things we need to work on. We have a lot of talent and I think we also have a lot of girls who do not know how good they can be yet.”

Harvuot, who was a state qualifier in 2012, won both the 100 and 200-meter dashes in times of 12.85 and 27.22. She also ran a leg of the first place 4 X 100 relay team, combining with sophomore Mariah Harter, senior Brittney Rhodes and freshman Sam Alexander to win in 51.30.

“I wish we would have had those early meets because I wasn’t sure how ready I was tonight,” said Harvuout. “But, I felt better after the 100. Honestly with the wind tonight, I was pleased with how I ran.

“My main goal right now is to beat the school record (12.3) in the 100. I also want to go undefeated and go back to State again. I’m just trying to go out there and running to try and win every race.”

Ferguson won both the 100 hurdles in a time of 16.71 and the 300 hurdles in 48.72.

Senior Sarah Ray cruises to a victory in the 3,200-meter run Tuesday night for host Warsaw.

Other winners on the track for the Tigers were senior Emily Stouder in the 1,600 (5:48.76) and senior Sarah Ray in the 3,200 (11:19.57).  The Tiger foursome of junior Ferguson and sophomores Nicole Eckert, Megan Kratzsch and Tennie Worrell also won the 4 X 400 relay in a top time of 4:13.73.

Warsaw also dominated in the field events with winning efforts in four of the five events. Senior Sam Jensen took first in the discus with a top throw of 121-07. Freshman Alexander won the long jump with a leap of 15-5 3/4 as the Tigers placed 1-2-3. Junior Claire Hickerson, a state qualifier in 2012, won the pole vault by clearing 9-6 and junior Johvana Cervantes won the shot put with a throw of 32-1 3/4.

Abbey Schue took third place in the high jump as Warsaw defeated Plymouth and NorthWood Tuesday night in NLC action at WCHS.

“I saw a lot of good things tonight,” Erba said. “I really like that we went 1-2-3 in the long jump and I was thrilled with our vaulters. It was the first meet for Megan Dearlove (who placed second) since she injured her ankle in August and she did outstanding as did Shannon Winslow clearing  eight feet in her first competition.

“It’s nice to see the depth we have in our sprinting group. Sam Jensen had a good night in the discus and Jamie Lacheta had a personal best of 5-2 in the high jump and Sarah Ray (in her first year competing in track) ran a great 3,200 for us.”

The Tigers do still have high expectations despite missing one very key performer. Senior star Ashley Erba, who won the state title in the 3,200 last year, is expected to miss the entire season due to three fractures in her right foot. The Providence College recruit is currently still in a walking boot. Erba, as well as her senior teammates, were honored prior to the meet Tuesday evening in Senior Night festivities.

“We’re still focused on winning the NLC, the sectional and the regional this year,” said coach Erba. “I do think we have the talent level on this team that can carry us to those championships.”

Warsaw returns to action at NLC foe Goshen on April 17 at 5 p.m.

Sam Alexander takes the baton from teammate Mariah Harter during the 4 X 100 relay. The pair helped Warsaw win the event.