The 2008 Marion County Boys' Track & Field Championships provides a night for umbrellas as 14 schools vie for the top spot in the 64 th staging of the event on Friday, May 9. With a steady drizzle on hand the entire afternoon and evening, the meet goes on. In the 4 x 800-meter relay (above), Franklin Central senior Michael Dunten strides in contending position on the opening leg. Photos by Mike Ayers.

 

At left, FC's Brian Higdon is comforted by a trainer after sustaining a painful spill on a baton exchange during the running of the 4 x 100-meter relay. At right, after spending an extended period of time on the track, the junior is helped to his feet by the trainer and a Flashes' teammate, with major scrapes evident on Higdon's back and shoulders.

 

At left, FC's Michael Dunten – sporting his distinctive red and black track shoes – joins competitors for the start of the 800-meter run. The senior will find his way to the finish line in fourth place, but without one of the shoes that parted his company about 300 meters from the end of the race.

 

Above, Franklin Central runners (from left) Michael Dunten, Joe Talhelm and Scott Lasiter make their way around the track in helping the Flashes to a third-place finish in the 4 x 8 00-meter relay race. At left, FC senior D.J. Sloan trails a pair of competitors on the anchor lap.

 

 
FC senior Curtis Tackett takes his turn in the shot put competition, winding up with points for the Flashes with a seventh-place finish.