By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – Bedford North Lawrence has started its late-season surge. There’s no time like now, with the postseason looming with a heavy presence, to peak.
Sparked by Paige Voigtschild’s victory, and surprising depth in multiple events against quality completion, the Stars finished third in the Hoosier Hills Conference girls meet on Tuesday night. BNL totaled 81 points, trailing perennial contenders Floyd Central (184) and Jennings County (112.5) in the field.
“We are definitely happy with that,” BNL coach Jason Webb said. “It’s the highest we’ve finished in a long time. We had a lot of girls place. We scored two places in several events. Doing that helps out quite a bit.”
Voigtschild, BNL’s distance standout, passed Floyd Central’s Emma Campbell during the closing stretch to win the 800 in 2:22.11. She also finished second in the 1600, clocking 5:13.74 after Jennings County’s Addistyn Long surged during the final lap to win in 5:09.14.
BNL’s Lily Mishler was second in the 400 in 1:01.79 (with Jeffersonville’s Samantha Carillo crossing first in 1:01.10).
“That’s the best she’s looked since last year,” Webb said. “And if you’re going to do it, now is the time to do it.”
BNL’s Madalyn Mason was third in the shot put (31-0 1/4). The bulk of the remaining points were totaled as the Stars scored in two places in the 100 hurdles, 300 hurdles, 3200 and high jump. Those hidden points show up in the final total.
“It gives me a lot of confidence,” Webb said. “When you can score two people in events, if we can do that in the sectional, we will be in contention.”
BNL will compete in the sectional at Seymour on May 19. The top three finishers in each event will advance to the IHSAA regional at Bloomington South on May 26. The Stars won their last team sectional title in 2002.
