LAKEVILLE - Trailing by one point with three events remaining, LaVille coach Kathe Beehler knew that her team was close to a season-long goal. The Lancers scored 25 points in the final three events en route to scoring 155 points to win the Hoosier North Athletic Conference title. Triton tallied 141 points for second, Winamac finished a distant third with 93, while Pioneer was fourth with 86 points. It was the second straight HNAC boys track and field title for LaVille and third in the last five championships. With the final three events coming, it was neck-and-neck between Beehler's Lancers and Triton as the Hoosier North Athletic Conference Championships drew to a close. The Trojans led LaVille by a single point and every point mattered now more than ever. As the 3200-meter run was nearing completion, several of the Lancer track and field members were cheering senior Colin Christy all the way to the finish line. Christy finished seventh, but more importantly, ahead of Triton's runner, who closed at ninth place. Those were two vital points for LaVille to push them to a one point lead. While the shot put still wasn't completed, Beehler's 4X400 crew knew what was in front of them. Both Pioneer and Triton starting off strong, LaVille's #3 runner - Cole Stafford - had to dig down and close about a 100m disadvantage for anchor Lincoln Hulsey's final push. "When the 3200 started we were down to triton by one!" said Beehler. "Colin Christy making it into seventh place ahead of the triton runner put us up by one point with 4x400 and shot put not completed! "They (4X400 relay team) knew they had to beat Triton before the race began! The first two legs from Pioneer and Triton ran strong and Cole (Stafford) had some ground to make up (100m) running them down to put Lincoln in a position to take over! It was an exciting race to watch!" Hulsey came away with four first-place medals - 100, 400, pole vault, and 4X400 relay. The versatile Lancer sprinter was helping the 4X400 relay team win the event, Michael Good was closing out his second individual title. A little earlier, the Lancer senior won the discus with a new meet record of 165-feet. Just after the final running event, Good followed that up with a 50'-7.5" throw in the shot put. "We have been relying on the talent of Michael and Lincoln all season!" explained Beehler. "When you have two top-ranked state athletes on your team you lean on them! "Michael has been a key addition to our team this season dominating in the throws. Having him get third in the 100 and anchor the 4x100 relay to a second place finish was fantastic! Lincoln doing what we have come to expect as a senior leader and winning the 100 was an unexpected surprise. He loves the 400 and 4x400 and he thrives when having the challenge of running down a competitor! It is beautiful to watch!" Like other meets during the spring of 2024, it was another wet May event. "We have run in cool and rainy meets this season so we were prepared for that," said the LaVille coach. "Workouts are structured through the season to have them ready for the end of the season! The goal was to win the HNAC championship our last year in!" Similar to the 2023 meet, LaVille used the field events to register 61 points. "Field events have been a huge point-getter for us and one of the reasons we are able to pull off some big wins!" Beehler analyzed. "Lincoln is ranked #2 in pole vault! Matthew (Schaeffer) is top 5 in our regional looking to qualify for the state meet! Michael is ranked #6th in the state in discus! It’s pretty special for a small school to have that kind of talent!" Schaeffer followed up Hulsey's championship with a solid runner-up finish as LHS gathered in 18 event points. Also finishing second and earning honorable mention status was Dylan Miller (800m), the 4X800 relay team of Avery Garrett, Lance Edison, Sam Sherk, and Miller. The 4X100 relay unit of Konnor Amor, Miller, Neese, and Good also finished second. "We had great performances from every kid on the team! Some surprises in places!" concluded Beehler. "It was a great night! Now onto the state tournament!" 2024 HOOSIER NORTH ATHLETIC CONFERENCE Boys Track & Field Championships At LaVille HS Team Scores LaVille 155, Triton 141, Winamac 93, Pioneer 86, North Judson-San Pierre 64, Caston 48, Knox 32 FIELD EVENT SUMMARY Pole Vault - Lincoln Hulsey (LaVille) 14'-0". Also - Matthew Schaffer (LV), 2nd. Discus - Michael Good (LaVille) 165'-0". Also - Cody Allen (LV), 6th. Shot Put - Michael Good (LaVille) 50'-7.5". Also - Eli Platz (LV), 6th. High Jump - Cole Shively (Triton) 5'-8" Also: Avery Garrett (LV), 4th; Lance Edison (LV), 5th. Long Jump - Cameron Callahan (Triton) 19'-9" Also: Cole Stafford (LV), 4th; Sam Sherk (LV), 5th. RUNNING EVENT SUMMARY 4X800 Relay - Pioneer (Baker, Dodt, Kitchell, Meyer) 8:43.10. Also - LaVille (Garrett, Edison, Sherk, Miller), 2nd. 110H - Alexander Kajer (North Judson-San Pierre) 16.15. Also - Brock Gest (LV), 6th. 200 - Isaac Quintana (Triton) 24.63. Also - Jonathan Neese (LV), 5th; Konnor Amor (LV), 6th. 100 - Lincoln Hulsey (LaVille) 11.36. Also - Michael Good (LV), 3rd. 1600 - Carson Meyer (Pioneer) 4:37.72. Also - Colin Christy (LV), 7th. 4X100 Relay - Triton (Johnson, Shively, Callahan, May) 45.9. Also - LaVille (Amor Miller, Neese, Good), 2nd. 400 - Lincoln Hulsey (LaVille) 51.60. Also - Cole Stafford (LV), 3rd. 300H - Caden Large (Triton) 45.62. Also - Lance Edison (LV), 3rd; Sam Sherk (LV), 5th. 800 - Logan Fredel (Winamac) 2:14.60. Also - Dylan Miller (LV), 2nd; Avery Garrett (LV), 5th. 200 - Javan May (Triton) 23.78. Also - Jonathan Neese 5th; Konnor Amor, 6th. 3200 - Carson Meyer (Pioneer) 10:25.98. Also - Colin Christy (LV), 7th. 4X400 Relay - LaVille (Amor, Miller, Stafford, Hulsey) 3:39.64.