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Eight Locals Finish on Podium in Columbus

COLUMBUS — The track and field season began in early March with thinclads dreaming of making the trip to Ohio State University’s Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium for the annual OHSAA State Track and Field Championship.

Once that goal is achieved, like it was for 29 area competitors, the motivation switches to earning a spot on the podium and an All-Ohio finish.

When Friday’s opening day of the 111th annual state meet wrapped up after a lengthy weather delay, eight collected the ultimate momento of their trip to the state capital, claiming a coveted spot on the podium.

Bellaire’s Cole LaRoche was the lone area competitor to bring home the state title. He did so in the shot put with a mark of 55-feet, 11-inches.

While no one else finished with gold, six other competitors are waking up this morning as all-state finishers. Several others put themselves on the cusp of a medal during qualifying races held Friday.

Joining LaRoche on the podium in the shot put was Steubenville senior Zach Ekey. Ekey, who defeated LaRoche in last week’s regional meet at Muskingum, struggled to stay in the circle, but still managed to get two marks, which was good enough for a bronze medal. The future Wheeling Jesuit football and track athlete marked at 53-10 on his final throw of the season to move up the rankings.

Indian Creek’s talented 3,200 relay team of Spencer Neville, Aiamyia Dudley, Kelsey Lewis and Sloane Lewis ran a 9:32.89 to finish fourth, which was the identical spot it finished in 2017.

Steubenville Central’s Vince Oliver made the most of his first state appearance. The Penn University football recruit earned a pair of medals. He finished eighth in the shot put with a mark of 51-0, which came on his second throw of the competition. A short time later, Oliver added a sixth-place medal in the disc with a mark of 154-7, which came on his next-to-last throw.

Buckeye Trail’s Emily Paden closed out her brilliant prep career with yet another state medal. The future University of Findlay vaulter soared over 11-4 and finished fourth.

Others to qualify to today’s finals include:

DIVISION II

St. Clairsville’s lone qualifier to today’s championship meet is senior standout Christian Oberdick in the 110 high hurdles.

A year ago, Oberdick placed seventh in his specialty and will enter in the final race of his prep career as the fifth seed. He skimmed 10 hurdles in 14.70.

Steubenville had a productive day of qualifying. Every Big Red competitor — male and female — that came to the capital city is in action today.

Senior Jonathan Blackmon got the day started for Steubenville when he posted a 14.83 to advance in the high hurdles. He’s seeded seventh.

Big Red’s 800 team of Jaziah Blackwell, Blackmon, Caleb Mitchell and Jorian Jones got into the championship run with a 1:29.18, which is seeded third. However, seven of the nine finalists ran seed times in the 1:29s.

The 400 unit, which includes Mitchell, Blackwell, Blackmon and Anthony Rice is seeded sixth after its 43.45. That race is expected to be tight, too. All nine teams broke the 44-second barrier and only two got under 43.

Junior speedster T’Kayla Kelley extended her season in the 100. She exploded out of the blocks and turned in a solid 12.44, which is the fourth-best time in the field.

Indian Creek’s girls’ 1,600 team continued to sprint toward defending its state championship. The same quartet that combined forces in the 3,200 relay passed the baton to one another in the final event. The Redskins turned in a solid 4:01.20 and are the fourth seeed, despite winning their heat. Dayton Dunbar (3:59.33), Akron Buchtel (3:59.83) and Versailles (4:00.32) are the top three entrants.

Dudley and Kelsey Lewis will also compete in the 800 today.

Buckeye Local’s Skylar Langford is set to compete in the long jump.

DIVISION III

Shadyside’s Chase Stewart will compete in the 1,600 this morning and Steubenville Central’s Colin Brown is entered in the 3,200.

Wellsville’s Justin Wright was impressive. He paced the qualifying in the 100 and 200, posting 10.79 and 22.08, respectively.

STATE MEET NOTES

Ohio Governor John Kasich was in the crowd Friday for the Division III meet. He was on hand to watch his daughter, Emma, compete in the 4×1 and 4×2 for Worthington Christian.

Former Shadyside girls’ coach and long-time track and field supporter Donna Joseph was on hand as a representative of the Ohio Association of Track and CC Coaches. She presented LaRoche with his gold medal.

NEWSLETTER

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