The Little Giants track and field team opened the 2007 outdoor season with a second place finish at the Wabash Relays at the Huntsman Track Saturday afternoon, posting a final team score of 133 points.
Nelson Barre and Chris Vawter combined to win the pole vault relay. Barre cleared 13-6 while Vawter cleared 12-6 to combine for a total height of 26 feet to take the meet title. Justin Sparks and Pat Long combined for a total distance of 243-11 in the discus throw relay. Sparks was fourth in the individual scoring with a distance of 122-7, while Long was sixth with a mark of 121-4. Ben Tritle took third in the shot put with a long of 44-11.25. He paired with Josh Gangloff (41-4.25) for a combined distance of 87-3.5 to finish second in the relay scoring.
Keegan McLaughlin (148-11) and Lincoln Smith (134-05) were also second in the javelin throw (283-4).
Freshman Emmanuel Aouad won the 110-meter hurdles with a time of 15.41. He also took second in the 400-meter hurdles after crossing the finish line in 56.22. Sam Compton-Craig was second in the steeplechase (10:03.58), while Dennis Frazee took fourth in the 5,000-meter run (15:44.24).
Wabash won the 800-meter relay (1:32.33) and the 400-meter relay race (43.42).
Taylor University won the meet with a total of 144 points. Franklin was third (111), followed by Huntington (104) and Marian (84).