Hardy Leads Hornets Over Huron

Payton Hardy won three individual events and helped the 4-by-200 relay team to victory as Saline outpaced Huron at Hornet Stadium Tuesday, 07-30.

Hardy won the 100 in 11:48, the 400 in 52.66, the 200 in 23.67 and helped the relay team win in 1:32.19.

"I felt pretty good today, even though I've my hamstring has been acting up, so I couldn't quite push straight through the line," said Hardy, a junior. "I'm happy with how I ran, especially in the 100, because I haven't competed in that very much this year."

Hardy, who went to the state meet as part of a relay team in his freshman year, wants to return this year. He said the 4-by-200 relay team has a shot and that he hopes to make it in the 400-dash.

"My goal this year is to get under 50 seconds in the 400. I think I can do that with strong competition and a nice day," he said.

Weather at Tuesday's meet was far from ideal for track and field athletes. It was cloudy, cool and windy for much of the meet, although the sun did appear to warm things up during the late stages.

Garrick Roemer also had a strong day for the Hornets. He raced on the winning 4-by-200 relay team and also won the 300 hurdles in 40.94 seconds and captured the high jump by clearing 6 feet.

Tyler Villa was also a double winner for the Hornets. He won the shot put with a heave of 46 feet. He also won the discus with a throw of 132 feet and one inch.

Rocky Schilke won the pole vault by clearing 13 feet. Dylan Jennings captured the 3,200-meter event in 10:26.8. Matthew Elms won the 800-meter race in 2:00.8. Nicholas Renberg won the 1,600-meter race in 4:31.8. Chris Simon won 100 hurdles in 16.9 seconds.

For hundreds of pictures from Tuesday's meet, visit the Saline-Milan Patch Facebook page.