Jason Marcy questioned whether his Ithaca Yellow Jackets could repeat as TVC West champions.
He got his answer in late May at the TVC meet. It was a resounding yes.
Ithaca won seven events and totaled 115 points to defeat Valley Lutheran, which had 90 points.
“Honestly, I didn’t think we would [repeat],” Marcy said. “Usually, I start off with 30 place kids. This season it was 20. I didn’t have much depth to work with. Everyone performed above and beyond.”
Steven Merchant was a double winner for Ithaca in the 1,600-meter run (4:39.44) and the 3,200-meter run (10:29.01).
Blake Reyes won the long jump (20’8″), Jared Evers took the shot put (47’1″), and Kaleb Coston prevailed in the 800-meter run (2:03.81). Ithaca also took first in the 400- and the 3,200-meter relays.
“In the relays is where a lot of our points are from,” Marcy said. “I thought we did great. It was a good performance. They did what they needed to do. Our 4 by 1 was ranked fifth or sixth but came in and won the race. That was huge.”
Ithaca also won the title outright last season.
During the dual season, Ithaca had lost to Michigan Lutheran Seminary and entered the meet at 6-1.
“There’s a lot of ways you could have juggled it,” Marcy said. “Ourselves, Breckenridge, Michigan Lutheran Seminary, and Valley Lutheran; all four [had a chance.]”