In most sports, being strong in the middle bodes for success.

Boys track is no different.

Northridge dominated the middle distance races, racking up enough points to win their first boys track regional championship since 2015, holding off host Warsaw, 72-67 in our Sports Michiana Game of the Week.

“It’s awesome,” beamed head coach Chad Eppley, who has now hoisted regional champion trophies in both football and boys track. “We lost conference and finished 2nd. We lost sectional and finished 2nd. Now to win a regional is amazing. We’re finally healthy and the kids are ready for state.”

The health showed in the night’s very first race. With star runners Baylor Miller and Xavier Miller fighting a flu bug last week, Northridge barely qualified for the “slow heat” of the 4 x 800 regional race. The two Millers were healthy Thursdat night, and the Raiders raced around the oval in a regional record of 7:46.92

Baylor and Xavier then finished 1-2 in the 800 meters and both ran legs of the victorious 4 x 400 relay.

“I love getting to run with Xavier,” exclaimed Baylor Miller. “We’ve had issues with injuries in the past, so this is the first season we’ve been able to run together healthy, and it’s been awesome.”

Jaden Fisher defended his regional title in the 400 meters, finishing a Northridge sweep of the middle distances.

Notre Dame commit Noah Bontrager of Westview was a double winner, as the defending state champion in both the 1600 and 3200 cruised to wins in both races.

Elkhart’s Alonzo Newbern had two blue ribbons, winning the 200 and anchoring the Lion’s win in the 4 x 100 relay. Churubusco’s Wes Ott also notched wins in both the shot put and discus. Warsaw’s Jordan Randall became a four-time regional champion, clearing 7-2 in the high jump.

Other winners included Penn’s Reuben Rutland (100), Manchester’s Carson Heath (100 HH), Saint Joseph’s Will Elick (300 LH), Mishawaka’s Leon Fowler (long jumo) and Churubusco’s Hunter Miller (pole vault).  Miller went 15-6 to win, but the top three in the pole vault all cleared 15-3, as Warsaw’s Tucker Reed and Saint Joseph’s Matt Champlain both set school records.