By Cort Reynolds, photos by Marvin Foster

COLUMBUS--Several members of the Bluffton High School track and field teams competed on the first day of the Div. III state meet Friday at Ohio State University in Columbus.

Bluffton’s strong, experienced middle and long distance boys program from cross country and track represented itself well at the meet.

The Pirate boys foursome of seniors Sam Derstine, Erik Nygaard, Eden Antrim and Landon Armstrong won the 4 x 800 relay championship in a time of 7:52.13.  

Pirate senior Brianna Taber finished fourth in the pole vault at 11-4.  

The Bluffton boys 4 x 400 relay quartet took fifth in the preliminary heats to become one of nine teams to qualify for the finals Saturday at noon.

Armstrong (800 meters), Antrim (1600) and Nygaard (3200) will compete in those respective finals races Saturday morning, June 3.

Complete DIII results for day one are HERE.

Pirate state meet finishes:

Boys 4 x 800 relay

1st Bluffton 7:52.13

Sam Derstine, Erik Nygaard, Eden Antrim, Landon Armstrong

Girls Pole Vault

4th Brianna Taber 11-4

Boys 4 x 400 Relay Preliminaries

5th Bluffton 3:27.35

Sam Derstine, Landon Armstrong, Landon Sutler, Eden Antrim