Star sprinter Ann Harvuot helped Warsaw dominate the NLC Championships Tuesday night (Photos by Jim Harris)

WARSAW – The tradition of winning the conference championships is not lost on Warsaw girls track coach Scott Erba.

That’s probably one big reason why his team knows nothing about losing bragging rights in the Northern Lakes Conference.

That and a whole bunch of talented young ladies.

Host Warsaw made it eight straight overall NLC titles Tuesday night in a big, big way.

The Tigers, led by stars Sarah Ray and Ann Harvuot, piled up a meet record 202 points at the NLC Championships held at the Tigers Athletic Complex.

Ray won titles in both the 1,600 and 3,200 and Harvuot claimed the championships of the 100 and 200 to pace Warsaw to the dominating team championship.

The Tigers, who had 12 All-NLC selections, were all smiles and No. 1 signs in the post meet team photo and rightfully so.

“It’s exciting,” said coach Erba of the streak of NLC titles. “Our girls see the tradition of winning it on the board and they are motivated to continue it. It’s a testament to them and their hard work.

“They don’t want to be the team to be the first to lose the NLC streak of championships. Our senior class has gone undefeated all four years in the NLC.

“We had girl after girl tonight with personal bests on the track. They are hitting their stride and we definitely had some great performances. The girls performed at a high level and that’s what we wanted to see.”

Sarah Ray continued her stellar senior season for the Tigers Tuesday night.

Ray has had some senior season in her first year competing in track. The distance star, who will run at Olivet Nazarene University, claimed the NLC crown in the 1,600 in 5:06.76 and the 3,200 in 11:01.66.

Ray, who also ran cross country for the first time in the fall, is soaking it all in.

“I’m just enjoying the ride right now,” said Ray, who moved to Warsaw from Illinois her junior year. “It definitely went well tonight. I had personal bests in both races so I’m extremely happy.

“It’s been different now having the attention and spotlight on me and the team expecting me to win. I’m ultra-competitive, but a quiet person. I think though the attention has brought me out of my shell and helped me perform better. I love it. I can’t believe that a year ago I wasn’t doing this.”

Harvuot continued her winning streak of her own in taking the 100 and 200 in top times of 12.51 and 25.93 respectively.  The junior, who has not lost in those events in conference competition, also ran the anchor leg of the winning 4 X 100 relay team. She teamed with sophomore Mariah Harter, freshman Sam Alexander and senior Brittney Rhodes to win in a time of 49.85.

“I’m really pleased overall with my performances tonight,” said Harvuot. “I wanted to win all my races to keep my undefeated record. I was really tired for the 200 and shocked by my time.

“My confidence level has sky rocketed now after tonight. I put a ton of pressure on myself and it’s pretty nerve racking in the blocks. I do think that the team winning boosts everyone’s confidence and I’m proud to be a part of that.”

The Tigers also got a championship performance on the track from Tennie Worrell. The sophomore won the 400 in a top time of 59.47. She also teamed with sophomores Nicole Eckert, Megan Kratzsch and junior Jackie Ferguson to win the 4 X 400 relay in 4:03.94.

Senior Jamie Lacheta won the high jump title for Warsaw Tuesday night.

Warsaw had plenty of stellar efforts in the field events. Senior Sam Jensen won the discus with a throw of 119-11. Senior Jamie Lacheta cleared 5-3 to win the high jump title and senior Megan Dearlove went 10-4 to take top honors in the pole vault.

The Tigers got second-place finishes from Ferguson (100 and 300 hurdles), Mariah Harter (100),  Alexander (long jump) and Brooklyn Harrison (shot put).

Notching third-place efforts for the champions were Rhodes (100 hurdles), Kratzsch (400), Eckert (300 hurdles) and Hannah Dawson (800).

Other event winners included Northridge senior Madison Stewart in the shot put, Elkhart Memorial senior Stephanie Bettis in the long jump and Concord junior Jessica O’Connell in the 100 and 300 hurdles races.

Northridge was runner-up in the team standings with 128 points. Elkhart Memorial took third place with 112.5, followed by Concord (94), Plymouth (70),  Goshen (46.5), Wawasee (41) and NorthWood (37).

Warsaw returns to action May 14 by hosting its own sectional.

The Warsaw girls track team is all smiles after dominating the NLC Championships Tuesday night.