A true triple-threat

VALPARAISO -- There were past pratfalls. There remain future uncertainties. But for Wirt sprinter Jarvis McMillian, the present couldn't be more picture perfect.

With Wirt closing this spring, McMillian will be looking for a new school next year. He'll worry about that after he competes at next Friday's state finals.

A year after academic ineligibility cut short his first varsity season, McMillian was the undisputed individual standout at the Valparaiso Regional on Thursday.

The sophomore won the 100 (11.07 seconds), 200 (22.26) and 400 meters (48.36) in dominant fashion, accounting for all 30 of Wirt's points.

"I wanted to do the same thing at regionals as I did at sectionals -- sweep," McMillian said.

McMillian, who won the same three events at last week's Crown Point Sectional, showcased a powerful burst at the end of each race. He was favored in the 100 and 200 and seeded second in the 400, which turned out to be his most dominant victory.

"I didn't start moving until I got to the back stretch," McMillian said of his strategy in the 400. "I wanted to save a little bit."

McMillian did hold back, then exploded down the final stretch for an easy victory in what he believes is now his best event.

"It was the 200," McMillian said. "It's looking like it's starting to be the 400 now."

Valparaiso took the team title, edging Merrillville, the defending regional champ, 80-76.

"There's a whole bunch of talent in the area," Valparaiso coach Brett Polizotto said. "To come away with a team victory says a lot about our guys."

The victory spoke to the strength of the Vikings' relays. Junior move-in Issac Bullock, who took third in the 100, was Valparaiso's lone individual state qualifier. But the Vikings won the 400 and 3,200 relays and took third in the 1,600, which Chesterton won.

"To get all three relays out," Polizotto said, "it's something special, for sure."

Valparaiso pole vaulter Nate Malone and hurdler James Elia were both expected to advance to Bloomington. Neither did. Elia clipped a hurdle in the 110 hurdles and fell while leading the 300 hurdles down the final stretch.

"We had a few different things like that happen," Polizotto said. "But that's part of competition."

Merrillville nearly stole the team title from the favored hosts, thanks to strong individual performances from Brian West and Melvin Davis. West won the shot put and also advanced to state with a third-place finish in the discus.

"That was one of my goals: to get to state in both events this year," said West, a state qualifier last year in the shot put. "I did a little more practice in discus this year than in the past."

But Davis was the biggest surprise for the Pirates -- and one of the biggest surprises of the meet.

The senior jumped 22-2 to win the long jump, an event he just started competing in last month after Harold Turner was injured.

"Last week my personal best was a 21-6, and the week before that I believe it was a 20-7," Davis said. "I wanted to quit a couple times when I was jumping 17 (feet). My coaches told me to keep at it."

Roosevelt's Allen Hall did the same after "family issues" forced him to quit track for two weeks in the middle of the season. For whatever reason, the time off actually benefited Hall, who won the 110 hurdles to advance to state for the first time.

"As a matter of fact," Hall said, "when I came back I ran my fastest time."

Bishop Noll's Ian O'Boyle is making a return trip to Bloomington -- only in a different event. After placing 11th in the 1,600 last year, O'Boyle dropped the mile in favor of the 800.

"This year I've got a lot more leg speed," O'Boyle said. "I just thought (the 800) is my ticket to state."

It seemed like a shrewd decision after O'Boyle set a personal-best to win the 800.

"I knew I wanted to lead the whole race," O'Boyle said. "I like to set my own pace. I don't like running at everyone else's."

Other winners included: Lake Central's Ryan Frick (discus); Lew Wallace's Damion McGee (high jump); Crown Point's Denzell Miller (300 hurdles); LaPorte's Matt Miller (3,200); New Prairie's Kyle Smiley (1,600); and Winamac's Anthony Chapman (pole vault).

Contact David Robb at 648-3122, drobb@post-trib.com or visit his blog at blogs.post-trib.com/robb.