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June 2009
Fairborn’s Gary Wright inducted into OHSAA Officials Hall of Fame
Former Fairborn Baker High School standout Gary Wright has been posthumously honored by the OHSAA as one of 12 new members into its Officials Hall of Fame.
A banquet and ceremony was held this past Saturday at Worthington.
Wright, a successful lawyer based in his beloved Fairborn, was killed in 2004 in an auto accident while driving to Columbus for business.
Wright was part of the Kirk Minteer, Steve Greene era of Flyers basketball that made an improbable Class AA regional appearance in 1970 following an underachieving Western Ohio League run. It didn’t hurt that Baker was lumped in the Troy district and away from Chaminade, Roth, Xenia and Beavercreek in the Dayton district.
That spring Wright was perfect on the mound for Baker. The lefty went 9-0 to single-handedly win the WOL. That was only possible because league games were all on Friday and there were few rainouts.
Wright advanced to Class AAA with the Kansas City Royals, but turned to lawyering when it was obvious his curveball had reached its career limit. He had long ago gave up hoop, then baseball. They were replaced by officiating boys high school basketball and a passion for golf. He was a fixture at Greene Country Club for years.
Fairborn can be proud of one of its favorite sons.
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TweetT-M/Waggoner’s Raiders do not run in defense of ‘08 Nike Outdoor Nationals title
Trotwood-Madison did not run in the Nike Outdoor Nationals track and field meet. The Rams won the Nike mile relay in 2008.
The meet was last week at North Carolina A&T University, Greensboro, NC.
The T-M foursome of Julius Ruby, Jordan Paschal, Michael Jordan and William Henry set an all-time Ohio mark of 3:13.32 at the state meet earlier this month. That broke the record of 3:13.46 that the ’08 Rams set in the state meet.
Running under the team name Waggoner’s Raiders for then assistant coach Randy Waggoner, the relay of Chris Burrows, Donte Lyons, Derricus Purdy and Michael Shaw ran 3:11.33 to win the Nike relay last summer.
This year the winning time was 3:08.05 by Team Eastern Carolina.
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TweetNeff joins former Butler teammate Pacifico as Ohio Gatorade Track & Field Athlete of the Year
Danny Neff and Jimmie Pacifico are already the most decorated track and field athletes that Vandalia Butler H.S. has ever produced. And now they share another distinction.
Neff joined Pacifico as an Ohio Gatorade Athlete of the Year this week. That makes VB the state’s only school to have two T&F athletes so honored.
Neff won the indoor and outdoor Division I 1,600- and 800-meter state titles this year. Pacifico swept the D-I shot put and discus state titles in 2006, defended his shot put title in ‘07 and was runner-up in the discus as a senior.
“We are all very proud of Danny’s many accomplishments over the past four years,” said Aviators head coach Brian Tregoning.
“He has clearly proven himself to be one of the very best to come out of Ohio in the distance events and we can’t wait to watch him continue to improve as he heads to Georgia this fall. His drive and determination to do his best have served as the backbone for his success.”
Neff also recently won the 800 at the Midwest Distance Gala outside Chicago in a meet-record 1:50.02. It was his first fresh two-lapper this season.
As usual, he pulled away in the final 100, covering the last lap in 56.2. Distance coach Andy White reports that he went out at 53.8 on the first lap.
Initially, the finish time flashed 1:49.99. Neff and an appreciative crowd erupted in approval. But seconds later the time was adjusted.
Neff was 10th (4:16.09) in the Nike Outdoor Nationals mile last weekend at North Carolina A&T University, Greensboro, NC.
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TweetRyan Bass leaves CJ for Dunbar
All Dunbar needed last basketball season was a steady — and productive — presence at the point. They got it, for this coming season.
Senior-to-be Ryan Bass, a two-year starting guard for Chaminade Julienne, has withdrawn from CJ and has enrolled at Dunbar. CJ was 11-10 last season. Bass was All-Area Division II as a sophomore and second team as a junior.
The 5-foot-10 guard averaged 18.6 points last season and had nine games of 20 or more points. He put 24 and 22 points on Alter in a pair of losses and 24 on D-II state runner-up Marshall in a 3-point loss.
“Ryan’s no longer with us and we wish him the best of luck,” said CJ coach Joe Staley.
Bass has spent the summer playing with Dunbar’s high-scoring team. The Wolverines blew through Fairmont’s summer tourney unbeaten last week and went 3-1 against defending D-I state champ Columbus Northland, Centerville and Lakota West in a series of 15-minute scrimmages Tuesday following Daequan Cook’s Basketball Skills Camp at Dunbar.
“That’s very unusual to get a player of his caliber,” said Dunbar coach Peter Pullen. “He’s been a tremendous asset this summer. He gives us that missing piece that we were struggling with at the point.
“He’s been through the battles of the GCL, so we know he’s been under fire. He’s just got to get used to playing a little bit more uptempo, which I think fits him real well. A lot of time, he was the quickest player on the court in that league. Now, he’s going to a venue that everyone we play is as quick as he is.”
Bass’ arrival with the Wolverines will offset the expected loss of Williamp Pope. The undersized but effective center averaged 14 points last season, but has spent the summer with Preble Shawnee’s team and hasn’t participated in any of Dunbar’s camps.
The combination of Bass and Geron Johnson, the 2008-09 City League player of the year, should be the area’s most high-scoring backcourt.
Junior Tim Szabo inherits the point for CJ. The Eagles also return regulars Joe Staley, the coach’s son, Matt Vest and Jon Bibbs. Besides plenty of other returnees — CJ had just three seniors last season — another Staley will be on board, sophomore John.
“We’re expecting to have a good basketball team,” said Joe Staley.
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TweetBoucher, Replogle lead Ohio to Big 33 win
Austin Boucher (Alter High School) and Adam Replogle (Centerville) saved their best for last in the Big 33 all-star football game last weekend at Hershey, Pa.
Boucher, a talented left-handed quarterback who’s headed to Miami University, riddled the hosts for 260 yards passing, completing 18 of 24 attempts with no interceptions.
But it was his 50-yard dash in the final minute that set up Ohio’s All-Stars for a 38-31 defeat of Pennsylvania. Two plays later Replogle, a 6-foot-3, 275-pounder, bulled over from the 1 for the clinching score.
Boucher also had a game-record 99-yard scoring toss to Micha Hyde (Fostoria). Replogle is headed to Indiana to probably play defense with his older brother, Tyler. But like this game and with the Elks, don’t be surprised to see Adam in the Hoosiers’ red zone backfield.
Sam Longo (Bellbrook) also played for Ohio. The offensive lineman is headed to Ohio State. Assistant Ohio coaches included Bill Nees (Piqua) and Doug Frye (St. Marys Memorial).
This is the 52nd year for the Big 33 Game, and snaps a three-game win streak by the hosts.
North drops South
The North put a 49-7 pounding on the South in Saturday’s 64th Ohio North-South Classic at Ohio Stadium.
Area players on the South roster were Mark Mays (Northmont), Karlos Marshall (Springfield), Terrence Glenn (Dunbar), Allen Matthews (Xenia) and Mike Breland (St. Marys Memorial).
The North leads the series 38-23-3.
A Classic record was probably set on Saturday: No OSU recruit played in the game. That’s because six incoming Buckeyes were on the Ohio team at the Big 33 Game.
This is the fourth straight year those long-running all-star games have been played on the same date. Don’t look for any changes. Both games were pushed back to June from traditional August dates to not interfere with preseason college camps.
The all-star games also took a hit when high school seniors began graduating early to enroll in college.
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TweetOakwood’s Julie Sizek, Northmont’s Blake Beemer among 54 OHSAA scholar-athletes
Eight recent area graduates will be among 54 throughout the state to receive recognition — and college scholarships — in the 17th annual Ohio High School Athletic Association Scholar-Athlete Scholarship Banquet on Friday, June 19.
The event will be held at the Crowne Plaza Columbus North.
Everyone will receive at least $1,000 scholarships and two from each of the six districts will receive $2,000 scholarships.
Southwest District area grads to receive the awards are:
• Julia Sizek, Oakwood, 4.0 GPA, cross country, track and field;
• Blake Beemer, Northmont, 3.75 GPA, soccer, basketball, baseball;
• Alison Steinbrunner, Tecumseh, 4-0 GPA, cross country, track and field;
• Kelsie Zumberger, Anna, 3.87 GPA, volleyball, track and field.
Northwest District area grades to receive the awards are:
• Marion de la Rosa, Coldwater, 3.5 GPA, football, track and field;
• Anthony Harlamert, Coldwater, 4.0 GPA, football, basketball, baseball;
• Zach Siefring, Coldwater, 4.0 GPA, football, basketball, baseball;
• Taylor Jones, New Bremen, 3.97 GPA, volleyball, basketball, track and field.
“Their achievements are truly amazing and should give everyone confidence that our future is in great hands, ” said OHSAA Commissioner Dan Ross in a release.
“I also want to salute the parents and school personnel who played such an important role in the successes these students enjoyed and the OHSAA Foundation and our corporate sponsors who have generously helped finance the scholarships.”
Recipients are judged on point system that combines GPA, ACT and SAT scores, varsity letters, athletic honors and an essay. Grads who already have signed NCAA Division I or D-II athletic scholarships are not eligible.
Also, Miami University men’s basketball coach Charlie Coles will be given the OHSAA Ethics and Integrity Award.
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TweetIt’s Northmont vs. Lakota West, Wayne vs. Princeton in Skyline Chili Crosstown Showdown
DAYTON — It’ll be the Greater Western Ohio Conference vs. the Greater Miami Conference at Welcome Stadium on the high school football season-opening 12th annual Skyline Chili Crosstown Showdown.
In a doubleheader on Friday, Aug. 28, Northmont will play Lakota West at 6 p.m, followed by Wayne vs. Princeton at 8:30 p.m.
The Wayne/Princeton matchup will feature two of the state’s best quarterbacks in Braxton Miller (Wayne) and Spencer Ware (Princeton). Miller is being recruited by Ohio State University. Like Miller, Ware is being pursued by many BCS heavyweights, and also is being wooed by big-time baseball programs.
“It should be a great night at the stadium with both of us,” said Northmont coach Lance Schneider after the matchups were finalized on Tuesday.
“With Miller and Ware in one game, it’ll be well worth the price of admission.”
Cincinnati teams will play in a doubleheader that Friday at UC’s Nippert Stadium. On Saturday, four more games will be played at Nippert, none featuring area teams.
None of the Welcome Stadium teams have played each other this decade. Wayne beat Lakota West 20-17 in last season’s Showdown and Northmont defeated Mason 28-17.
Wayne also defeated East St. Louis (Ill.) in last year’s Kirk Herbstreit Series. East St. Louis will play Cincinnati Elder in the nightcap of Saturday’s games at Nippert.
The Kirk Herbstreit Series will feature doubleheaders at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Aug. 29-30. No area teams will play.
Northmont (10-2) lost to only Division I state champion Cleveland St. Ignatius and state runner-up Cincinnati Elder last season. The Thunderbolts will be at St. Ig in Week 2.
“We have to replace a lot of guys,” Schneider said. “We’ve got a long way to go. Thank goodness it’s only June.”
After Princeton, all that awaits the Warriors in their two other non-league games is Week 2 vs. Canton McKinley at Fawcett Stadium and Week 3 vs. visiting Cleveland Glenville. Both programs have produced scores of D-I players over the years and are consistent playoff participants.
Both those games are on Saturday nights.
Tickets for the Crosstown Showdown games will go on sale at each school’s athletic office on July 1. Cost is $10, good for both games and $12 on game day.
Skyline Chili Crosstown Showdown
Fri., Aug. 28 at Welcome Stadium
• Northmont (10-2) vs. Lakota West (6-4, 6 p.m.
• Wayne (8-4) vs. Princeton (5-5), 8:30 p.m.
Fri., Aug. 28 at UC’s Nippert Stadium
• Cin. La Salle (4-6) vs. Cin. Oak Hills (3-7), 6 p.m.
• Colerain (11-2) vs. Cin. St. Xavier (4-6), 8:30 p.m.
Sat., Aug. 29 at UC’s Nippert Stadium
• Beechwood (14-1) vs. Dixie Heights (5-6), noon
• Newport Central Catholic (13-2) vs. Simon Kenton (10-5), 2:45 p.m.
• Cin. Moeller (6-5) vs. Cin. Winton Woods (11-2), 5:30 p.m.
• Cin. Elder (13-2) vs. East St. Louis, Ill. (13-1), 8:15 p.m.
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Tweet4 area state champs in Midwest meet
State champions Kevin Leland (Greenville), Laura Gehret (Anna), Christine Borchers (Versailles) and Kylie Kopp (Bethel) are among the area track and field athletes who will compete in the Midwest Meet of Champions today at Jackson, Mich.
Leland won the Division I pole vault, Gehret defended her D-III high jump title, Borchers won the D-III shot put and Kopp the D-III long jump.
Also on the Ohio boys team are Kyle Combs (Valley View, discus), Richard Hunt (Dunbar, hurdles), Tyrone Burnley (Dunbar, hurdles) and Javon Walker (Northmont, 400 meters). Also on the Ohio girls team is Alexis Thomas (Wayne, discus).
Eileen Grosse (Wilmington) is the Ohio girls coach. Boys assistants include Matt Somerlot (Centerville) and Mike Fernandez (Wayne) and Jenny Schoenberger (Miamisburg) for the girls.
The event features top state meet performers and recent graduates from Ohio, Michigan and Indiana.
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TweetCJ girls hoop on probation, fined by OHSAA for out-of-state event violation
The Chaminade Julienne High School girls basketball program has been placed on probation for two years and fined $2,500 for violating an out-of-state competition rule, said the Ohio High School Athletic Association in a release Friday, June 12.
CJ also will have its available coaching days reduced by two from June 1 to July 31 and its allowed scrimmages will be reduced this coming preseason from five and a foundation game to one.
The Eagles violated OHSAA Bylaw 9-2-1 while participating in the Nike Tournament of Champions at Phoenix, Ariz., last Dec. 18-22. CJ split four games.
The bylaw states that athletic teams cannot participate in out-of-state competition while school remains in session. CJ officials and the OHSAA differed in their interpretations of the bylaw.
“The process took some time because there were questions regarding the interpretation of the bylaw that needed to be answered,” OHSAA Commissioner Dan Ross said in the release.
“Those questions have been resolved, the school’s administrative staff is to be praised for its cooperation and I’m glad we are bringing this situation to finality.”
CJ was contacted by the OHSAA prior to leaving for the event that it could violate OHSAA rules should the Eagles participate.
“It is important to know that CJ did not plan the tournament trip with disregard to OHSAA bylaws,” said Daniel J. Meixner, president of the school.
“When the difference of interpretation came to light, it was too late for CJ to withdraw from the tournament. We had made a commitment to the tournament organizers and to parents — and other family members — who had made travel arrangements. We believed we needed to find a solution that honored these commitments. That meant being prepared to accept possible sanctions prescribed by the OHSAA.”
Ross indicated the rule that CJ violated dates to when LeBron James starred at Akron St. Vincent/St. Mary. Like many high profile prep teams, the Irish toured the country James’ senior season, often playing in national tournaments and exhibitions.
That’s the latest in a series of legal off-the-court events for the CJ girls basketball program since last season:
• On May 28, former coach Marc Greenberg was indicted on 12 counts of using the Internet to transmit obscene materials to minors. Among his Internet postings were boasts that he had sexual contact with members of his teams.
According to an FBI investigation, no member of last season’s team or any other CJ team that Greenberg has been associated with has confirmed that.
• Last Jan. 14, a Montgomery County Common Pleas Court judge granted a permanent injunction that allowed Oakwood transfer Nicky Disbrow to be eligible to finish the season with CJ. Disbrow’s parents sued the OHSAA and CJ to allow the junior back on the court.
Disbrow’s transfer documents were not submitted to the OHSAA by CJ before the June 1, 2008 deadline. CJ had to forfeit its season-opening defeat of Centerville because Disbrow had played, then was declared ineligible. She sat out the next two games and played in the Nike events.
CJ was 17-7 last season and tied Alter at 9-1 for the GGCL North title. CJ hopes to name a new girls varsity hoop coach this summer.
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TweetFor the record, it’s all about putting Trotwood’s best chance to win on the oval
That didn’t take long.
You can find a reader’s comment on this site that blasts Trotwood-Madison boys track and field coach Randy Waggoner. His sin? He switched out a member of 1,600-meter relay with rookie sophomore Michael Jordan for the state meet.
The Rams responded with an all-time, all-divisions record (3:13.32).
Waggoner has been coaching track in the Dayton area since the late ’60s. He learned long ago that the team comes before the individual. He said as much following the Rams’ latest historic run last Saturday.
“I knew for us to run the kind of time we were going to run, I needed to put (Jordan) on the relay. I knew what he was capable of doing, and it just proved me to be true.
“… You’ve got to always sit down and figure out, can I plug a kid in here or put a kid in there? A lot of people get upset with me when I make changes like that, but that’s what I’m paid to do: coach this track team.”
It’s a fine line to straddle, giving your team its best possible chance to win. What works one game — or race, or season — doesn’t necessarily mean that it’ll work the next time.
• Is your hoop team better with an iron 5, or interchangable 9?
• Should a football coach two platoon, or tap his best half-dozen for double duty?
• Is a baseball team better off with an unhittable ace always going the distance, or grooming two capable relievers who you know will be needed down the postseason road?
As long as teams keep scores, standings and titles are at stake, coaches owe their programs, schools and communities the best teams that they can field.
One word if the goal is for everyone to play and avoid hurt feelings: intramurals.
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TweetIs it a record? 22 CJ graduates sign to play sports in college
Twenty-two of Chaminade Julienne’s recent graduates have signed national letters of intent to play sports in college. There’s no telling if that’s an all-time area record, but it has to be close.
Ben Quinttus (Ohio Wesleyan, soccer), Adrian Warfield (Georgetown, Ky., football), Michael Raiff (Ohio Northern, baseball), Patrick Bruggeman (Wittenberg, football) and Matt Miller (Western Arizona CC, football) were the latest to join the club on the recent spring athlete recognition night at the school.
They join previous CJ signees:
• Eric Abney (Wright State University, bowling);
• Taylor Beyerle (University of Dayton, cross country/track);
• Nicole Campbell (Dusquene, crew);
• Isaiah Cordell (Findlay, football);
• Shene Fleming (St. Francis, basketball);
• Zak Hadaway (UD, golf);
• Anne Haley (Williams, rowing);
• Danheisha Harding (Eastern Kentucky, track);
• Kurt Hess (Youngstown State, football);
• Sam Jandel (Illinois, golf);
• Alex Kauth (Air Force, lacross);
• Chris Myton (Cincinnati, soccer);
• Mariah Nussbaum (Radford, volleyball);
• Katie Plieman (Xavier, tennis);
• Lisa Treadway (Miami, volleyball);
• Jessica Yaney (Otterbein, soccer);
• Samantha Zimmerman (Mercyhurst, tennis).
Also, Jenny Nicholson won’t be playing sports at Louisville, but she has accepted a scholarship to pursue a degree as a team trainer. Close enough.
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TweetBetter late then never: Dunbar unloads on D-I 400 relay to place 2nd
Hurdle trips? Relay handoff whiffs? Bad luck? You name it, and Dunbar’s fleet boys track team endured it during the state track and field meet Saturday at Columbus.
But the Wolverines got the 400-meter relay right.
Three perfect handoffs and a smoking anchor by sophomore speedster Antonio Blanks enabled Dunbar to place second by a blink to West Chester Central in 41.89.
It didn’t quite make up for Richard Hunt nearly wiping out in the high hurdles or Blanks leaving early to thwart a possible 800 relay win or bombing on the final 300 hurdle in qualifying. But it sure helped.
“It was crazy,” Blanks said. “I was mad. We had to come back with something.”
The foursome of Thuron Ham, Terrence Glenn, Hunt and Blanks posted a season low in the 400 relay. Earlier, Ham, Blanks, Glenn and Tyrone Burnley placed fourth (1:27.50) in the 800 relay, but dropped out of contention after the botched final handoff.
“I heard ‘Stick!’ but it wasn’t from our dude,” said Blanks.
“He said wait, and I waited. By the time I got it, they were already gone. Things happen.”
This time, “we had to make sure our handoffs were right, and they were,” said Hunt.
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TweetGreenville D-I pole vault champ Kevin Leland just wants to have fun
Greenville’s Kevin Leland has the speed, strength and technique that pole vaulting demands. But there’s another important ingredient he adds to that mix.
“The biggest thing I try to remember and my coach tries to keep I my head is to just have fun,” said Leland, who won the D-I state title Saturday at OSU’s Jesse Owens Stadium.
“Even though it’s the state meet, I just try to remember it’s something I really love doing and just keep having fun with it.”
The senior was a marked vaulter when he set a D-I state record of 16 feet, one inch at the regional. He missed three times at 16-2 on Saturday, settling with a winning leap of 15-9.
But his win didn’t come without a couple hitches. He stalled at 15-6, clunking the bar off twice.
“I just wasn’t able to go up the line and get vertical and push off the top my first two (attempts),” he said.
“I just wasn’t feeling like I was doing my kind of vaulting.”
The wind died and Leland adjusted his takeoff back two feet. The results were immediate: he cleared 15-6 cleanly, then soared over 15-9 to become the first Greenville athlete to win an individual state track title.
“I didn’t jump my best and had some troubles at 15-6, but we fixed some stuff,” he said.
“It feels really good. Just being here was a great experience.”
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TweetHurts so good: Oakwood’s Peter Hix overcomes injuries to place 2nd in state D-II 1,600
Let’s just say running hasn’t been kind to Peter Hix’s body.
“It’s not, but I love the feeling right now too much to stop it,” said Hix, who tied up at the end but held on to second in the D-II 1,600 meters at Saturday’s state track and field meet at Columbus.
“It’s an awesome feeling and I wouldn’t give it up for anything.”
Hix, a wiry junior, has never hurt so good. Hampered by shin splints all spring, his hard training was limited until the final month.
Last year he spent more time off the track than on, courtesy of stress fractures in both shins. He also was in contention to place second in this event at state in ’08, but crumbled to the track in a heap just meters away from the finish. He crawled over the line after the field had motored past him.
“Coming back and getting my placement that I was going to get last year, it’s pretty good,” said Hix, who also collapsed Saturday, only this time after finishing in 4:18.20.
“I’m excited to do this well coming off a not-too-intense training season. Hopefully, I can come back next year and I’ll have that win.”
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TweetCJ’s Kamal Shafeek No. 2 in D-II state 800 relay … again
Kamal Shafeek, ever the optimist, wanted one last shot at a state 800-meter relay title. He earned his hardware: Another second.
“We were trying to get the gold,” said Shafeek, CJ’s only senior on the speedy quartet.
“We thought we had it set, but Salem came out of nowhere.”
The makeshift Eagles burned a 1:28.97 to place second in the D-II state track and field meet at OSU’s Jesse Owens Stadium on Saturday, June 6. This is the third straight season that Shafeek has medaled in this event; CJ also was second in ’07 and third last year.
Joining him were underclassmen Galen Curry, Aaron Stokes and anchor Laron Brown. Spent, less than 20 minutes later Brown struggled to sixth in the 400.
The relay turned personal for Shafeek this season. He constantly urged the Eagles on once the team finally was put together for the postseason.
“I told them to work hard, do our best and get first,” he said.
“We did our best and got second. I figured if I could bring some guys with me it would be better for them to get the experience. They can win this; it just won’t be with me.”
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TweetIt’s a first: Versailles boys win D-II 1,600 relay
Versailles anchor Damian Winner secured the Tigers’ 1,600 relay win to close out the D-III meet. In the girls 1,600 relay, Versailles had to beat Gates Mills Gilmour Academy by two places to win the team title.
“We were fired up watching the girls do well,” Winner said. “We wanted to go out and do well ourselves.”
They did, posting a school record 3:22.97. Joining the sophomore were Tom Gorman, Mitch Pitsenbarger and Keith Schlater, all juniors.
Quipped Versailles boys and girls coach Mark Goubeaux: “I’ve got too many kids to hug right now.”
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TweetVersailles places 2nd to Gates Mills Gilmour Academy in D-III girls team race
Trailing 63-61 entering the final event, Versailles needed to beat leader Gates Mills Gilmour Academy by at least two places in the 1,600-meter relay to win the girls state Division III track and field title Saturday at OSU’s Jesse Owens Stadium.
The Tigers could use a do-over.
Leading the race through two legs, Versailles swapped the lead with Gilmour, faded to fourth, then to last when anchor Mindy Henry dropped the baton on the final curve. She quickly recovered and pushed hard to gain an additional point at the tape.
Gilmour had a state-best 73 points, the most for a small-school girls team since Minster put up 75.33 in 1979.
Versailles finished with 62 points, which would have been enough to win a small-school girls crown from 1985-2007. This is the highest any Tigers girls team has ever placed in the state. The ‘07 team was third.
“This is great,” Versailles coach Mike Goubeaux said.
“This is the end of a dream season.”
Versailles led by six points going into Saturday’s finals, amassing 24 points after wins by its 3,200 relay and Christine Borchers in the shot put. Borchers also was fifth in the discus.
The Tigers didn’t win again, but there were plenty of great efforts. Freshman Tammy Berger and senior Mary Prakel were 2-3 in the 3,200. That was after they placed 3-4 in the same order in the 1,600. Henry added a third in the 800.
It’s the fourth D-III state title for Gilmour in the last five years. In ‘08 the Lancers were runners-up.
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TweetStivers’ Nate Davis clears 6-7 to win D-II high jump
Performing well with state championships at stake is nothing new for Stivers students.
“Oh, we have plenty of state champs, in music and math,” said track and field coach Carlos Roberts.
And its sports teams? “That’s unheard of,” said senior high jumper Nate Davis.
Until now. Davis became the first Stivers state champion in sports that anyone could remember Saturday, winning the Division II high jump with a leap of 6 feet, 7 inches. It’s thought no other Tigers athletic individual or team has placed as high on the state level since Frankie Sanders fueled Stivers to a runner-up in the Class AA state basketball tourney in 1975.
Davis soared over all his jumped and flew over 6-7 on his second try, then missed three attempts at 6-8 after clinching the win.
“It feels like a big burden has been lifted off me,” he said. “I’m just glad that I did something positive for the school.”
Roberts has groomed Davis for four years in basketball and the last two in track. And he’s as proud as any parent of his favorite pretend son.
“He’s like a son,” Carlos said. “We fight and he can eat a lot. And he can get up. He’s never met a shot he didn’t like to dunk.
“Stivers isn’t on the radar for athletics. This is big for our program. It’s big for Dayton Public (Schools), and it’s big for Stivers.
Last year Davis was third in this event. He soared a career high 6-10 last year. He’ll jump and play basketball at Heidelberg College.
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TweetDouble the fun: Christine Borchers wins D-III shot put for team-leading Versailles
All Christine Borchers wanted to do was be a part of something special for Versailles. She did, twice.
“This means so much to be able to help my team like this,” said Borchers, who won the D-III shot put (44-0.25) and was fifth in the discus (130-0).
“Our coach (Mike Goubeaux) has been telling us all week that we have a special team and that we could do some really great things. To be able to do my part and win, it just means so much.”
Borchers’ 14 points and 10 more from the Tigers’ winning 3,200 relay gave Versailles 24 points, good for the team lead heading into today’s finals. Borchers is headed to UD on a T&F scholarship.
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TweetGood to go: Anna high jumper Laura Gehret successfully defends D-III state title
Laura Gehret was hurting to defend her D-III state high jump crown. Almost as much as her sore left takeoff foot.
“I just thought, OK, I’m not going to get any better if I don’t take a few weeks off,” said Gehret, who broke down in midseason with a sprained leg ligament.
She regrouped for the postseason, and is better than ever, clearing 5-7 to defend her title.
The event was dominated by area jumpers. Preble Shawnee’s Emily Amburgey was second (5-6), Ansonia’s Ariel Edwards fifth (5-3) and Fort Loramie’s Megan Fullenkamp sixth (5-2).
“There’s a lot of pressure (to repeat),” said Gehret, who’ll jump for Miami next season.
“You know you’re capable, but you’ve got to do it.”
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TweetCan’t beat that: Versailles girls win D-III 3,200 relay
Versailles’ girls started the meet in the best possible way, winning the 3,200-meter relay (9:17.92).
Tigers anchor Mindy Henry held off a strong challenge from Bekka Simko of D-III power Gates Mills Gilmour Academy (9:18.08). Joining Henry were Mary Prakel, Kristen Schulte and Tammy Berger.
Gilmour jostled its lineup and nearly overtook Versailles, which had the best time in the field by eight seconds.
“People like to arrange their teams differently, so you can’t let early-on legs freak you out,” said Prakel, Versailles’ leadoff runner.
“Even though I didn’t come in first like it usually happens they kept a good head on their shoulders and did what they had to do.”
The Tigers will need more of the same to beat Gilmour. The Lancers won the D-III state team title in 2005 and ’06, tied for the title in ’07 and was runnerup last year.
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TweetNow hear this: Bethel’s Kylie Kopp D-III state long jump champ
An army of relatives, coaches and teammates all offered encouraging instructions to Bethel long jumper Kylie Kopp. She whittled the well-wishes to their core: “All I knew was I needed to run faster, jump higher and get farther,” she said. “That’s all that mattered.”
Kopp flew 17 feet, 11.25 inches to win the D-III event on her next-to-last jump. More important, she made a winning statement to her three older brothers, two of whom played on state baseball runners-up and another who played on a state title hoop team.
“They all have state rings,“ said Kopp, who’ll convert to a heptathlete at Wright State University.
“It’s about my time I get something from state. It’s ridiculous. I want some bragging rights. And I didn’t have any until now.”
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TweetAlter’s Borland 2nd in D-II state shot put
By Dave Long
Contributing Writer
COLUMBUS — The last day of Chris Borland’s high school athletic career was a good one.
“I couldn’t plan the story line any better,” he said. “except maybe winning the state championship.
“But we were all pretty much throwing for second place unless Hoty completely screwed up.”
Borland, who graduated from Alter last week, was runner-up in the Division II shot put Friday, June 5, at the 102 boys and 35th girls state track and field championships at Ohio State’s Jesse Owens Stadium.
And he finally broke the 40-year-old Alter school shot record he had just missed the last three weeks.
His runner-up distance was 61-feet .75 inches, and came on his last throw in the finals.
The toss was good enough to break the school record of 60-9. It was Dr. Tim Quinn, a well-known area orthopedic surgeon and University of Dayton team doctor.
Matt Hoty won the shot put throwing 61-3.25, an effort produced on his second preliminary throw. The Sandusky Perkins junior had the best throw coming into state at 64-8.25.
“He’s (Hoty) is tough,” Borland said. “When he hit that 61-footer, everyone kind of looked each other. We knew he was on.”
Borland’s first attempt was 58-10.50. That put him in second place through the six preliminary throws and got him one of nine places in the finals. He remained in second until Justin Welch popped one 59-0.50 on his second throw in the finals.
Borland promptly responded going 59-11. “I knew I probably couldn’t beat Hoyt, but I wasn’t going settle for anything but second.” he said.
Despite having a sore hamstring, he unloaded on his final throw to hit his 61-footer.
“At least I got over 61 feet and got the school record, ” he said. “That’s kind of been a monkey on my back the last few weeks because I was so close (throwing 60-8 at league, 60-8 in the district and 60-6.25 at regional).
“Dr. Quinn said he’d buy me dinner if I broke his record. I’ll hold him to it.”
Borland didn’t have too much time to enjoy his state runner-up status. He and his father were on the road at 5:30 a.m. headed for Madison, Wis. Summer football begins Monday for Wisconsin recruits, including Borland who could be a linebacker or a running back.
“Pretty good senior year,” said Borland. “The shot put was great, but winning the (Division IV) state championship was tops because it was a team thing.”
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TweetArea players taking game to college
Catching up on some college signings. Here are some recent ones:
Meadowdale’s Jeremy Williams will play basketball at Sinclair Community College. He spent last season at Miami University-Middletown where he led the team to the Ohio Regional Campus Conference regular-season title.
Alter’s Kevin Van Oss will play volleyball at New Jersey Institute of Technology.
Fairmont bowler Ricky Brown is taking his game to Wright State University.
Fairmont soccer player Brad Bamberger is also joining the Raiders.
Three basketball players from Miami East are moving to the next level. Katie Mengos will play at Ohio Northern, Sarah Skidmore at Wittenberg and Rebecca Leffel at Thomas More.
Know of other signings? Let us know.
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TweetAlter girls win state 3,200 D-II relay
Not returning to the state track and field meet in the 800 meters made Alter’s Catherine Crisler sick. So did a late-season bout with “a version of mono.”
Crisler was second in the D-II 800 at state last year and had trained hard all winter in hopes of winning as a senior. She also elected not to play for the basketball team — missing the Knights’ state semifinal season.
Weak, Crisler flamed out in her specialty at district. That’s why her 3,200 relay anchor at state Friday at OSU’s Jesse Owens Stadium was so special. The Knights posted a school-record 9:17.10, hammering runner-up Warrensville Heights by a whopping 11 seconds.
“Being able to anchor this and win it made up for everything,” she said. “When I got sick, I can’t even describe how disappointed I was.”
Junior Rebecca Esselstein made up a 30-meter deficit on her third leg, then put 50 meters on the field to set up Crisler’s clinching leg.
“(Coach Matt Sableski) told me if there’s someone in front of me, just to catch them and keep going,” Esselstein said. “That’s what I did.”
Joining them were sophomore Ashley Rodgers and freshman Olivia Albers, meaning Alter should remain in great position to contend for this race again. The Knights also won this relay in 2007 and were runner-up last season.
Timing right
Fort Loramie sophomore standout Janel Olberding defines versatility. She’s among the state’s best D-III cross country runners. Ditto for the 100, 200 and 400.
She was pulled from the 100 and instead inserted into the Redskins’ 3,200 relay. Good choice: Loramie placed third.
Olberding will be busy today. She advanced to the 400, 200 and 1,600 relay finals.
“I’m really excited for what’s to come,” she said. “I’ve set my goals as high as they can be. I’m peaking at the right time. Hopefully, I can have my best performance (today).”
It’s a (school) record
Alter’s Chris Borland finally surpassed Alter grad Dr. Tim Quinn as the school record holder in the shot put with a toss of 61-0.75, good for second in the Division II state track and field meet Friday at OSU’s Jesse Owens Stadium.
Quinn, UD’s orthopedic consultant, had held the record of 60-9 since 1970. Borland is headed to the University of Wisconsin to play football this fall.
She said it
“Compared to last year I felt a lot more conditioned. I have a little bit more energy left.”
— Miami Valley sprinter Elaina Cromer, who wilted after the daunting 100-200-400 triple last season. Not this year.
Cromer advanced to the finals in her specialty, the 400, placing second (57.90) to Fort Loramie’s Janel Olberding in their heat. Cromer’s only other race was the non-qualifying 1,600 relay.
Peaked out
It’s not unusual for girls to peak early in their running careers. Add Bluffton’s Bonnie Stratton to the list.
The “Blonde Blaze” swept the D-III 100 and 200 titles last season. She also won the 200 in 2007. This year, she couldn’t advance to the finals in either event.
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TweetOSU’s Tressel to help Panther football honor special family
Ohio State head football coach Jim Tressel will be the keynote speaker on Monday, June 8 when the Springboro football family gets together to honor some special people in Boro history.
Each year, the players and their fathers attend a father and son event to kick off the upcoming season. This year, that event will honor former Panther greats Jake and Josh Ballard and their father, Ben, who was an assistant coach on the Panthers staff when Jake and Josh played.
Jake Ballard plays football at OSU and Josh plays at Morehead State.
The event will be held at the high school with the reception starting at 6:30 and the program beginning at 7 p.m. See the web site springborofootball.com/ or e-mail coach Randy Wilhite at rwilhite@springboro.org for more information.
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