By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES - Niles' boys and girls track teams both claimed wins against visiting Dowagiac Wednesday afternoon.
The boys defeated the Chieftains 119-42 and the girls took the 110-45 win.
First place finishers for the boys were Otis West in the long jump (20-1.5), Matt Poehlman in the high jump (6-4), Aubrey James Hopkins in the shot put (44-1) and the discus (111-7), Ricky Phillips in the 110 meter hurdles (18.98), Isaiah Glaze in the 100 meter dash (11.00), Aaron DePue in the 300 meter hurdles (51.11), Nick Shuck in the 1,600 meter run (4:47.51), Quinton King in the 400 meter dash (52.38), Dan Geiger in the 800 meter run (2:06.82) and Steve Scally in the 3,200 meter run (10:50.34).
The Vikings also took firsts in the 3,200 meter relay (9:22.28), 800 meter relay (1:37.60), 400 meter relay (45.75) and the 1,600 meter relay (3:40.36).
Second place finishers for Niles were Dave Davis (high jump), Geiger (1,600 meter run), Andrew Wuthnow (800 meter run), Rob Cinninger (200 meter dash) and Andrew Karsten (3,200 meter run).
First place finishers for the girls were Chelsea Bennett in the discus (99-11.5), Brandie Radde in the high jump (4-9), Ashley Austin in the shot put (32-9), Nicole Horvath in the 100 meter hurles (17.74)and the 300 meter hurdles (54.72), Sam Brawley in the 1,600 meter run (5:52.78) and the 800 meter (2:44.87), Autumn Grayson in the 400 meter dash (1:04.79).
The Lady Vikes also took first in the 3,200 relay (12:47.55), 800 meter relay (1:56.33) and the 1,600 meter relay (5:11.42).
Second place finishers for Niles were Austin (discus), Tasha Webster (long jump), Alex Ranft (high jump), Kyla Kirkendoll (shot put), Sam Schaller (100 meter hurdles), Kaylynn Stephenson (100 meter dash and 200 meter dash), Heather Rogers (1,600 meter run and 800 meter run) and Rebecca Kirschbaum (300 meter hurdles).
The Vikes will travel to Kalamazoo Central on Friday with meet times set for at 4 p.m.