OHIO STATE MEET

Mateo Medina Scores All 30 Points With Sprint Triple To Deliver Boys D1 Title To Elyria

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

A change of venue didn’t seem to matter for those competing at the Ohio High School Athletic Association Track and Field State Championships. With the track at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium at Ohio State being replaced, the three-day state meet took place at Welcome Stadium in Dayton, the first time since 2003. 

In Division I action, the Westerville North boys 4x800 relay won in a school record and US#6 time of 7:39.91. Senior Ben Gabelman, who ran on the winning relay, also won the 1,600 title (4:08.75). 

The team title came down to the wire as Elyria scored 30 points and Wayne was second with 29 points. The top five teams were within six points.

Senior Mateo Medina singlehandedly led Elyria to the team title. He won the 400 dash, running a US#7 time of 45.88 seconds, just missing the state overall record. He also claimed the 100 (10.82) and 200 (21.67) titles.

In the field, Olentangy Liberty senior Nate Hollingsworth won the high jump clearing  6-11. 

In Division 1 girls action, Wayne scored 46 points to win the state team championships. The team was led by sophomore Ric'Keya White’s victories in the 100 hurdles (13.91) and 300 hurdles (42.69). Her 300 time of 41.75 in the prelims is currently US#15. 

The 4x800 relay was won by Hilliard Davidson in a US#23 time of 9:03.67. 

The Woodridge girls repeated as Division 2 champions with 40 points, edging out Gilmour (38 points). Senior Reese Seaman paced the team, winning the 800 (2:10.44) and 1,600 (4:56.78) and ran on the third-place 4x400. 

Buchtel’s 4x200 relay set a divisional record running 1:39.01. 

The Huron boys claimed the Division 2 title with 40 points. 

Norway senior Dillon Morlock, US#3-ranked prep shot putter, won the discus title with a dominating throw of 191-6 and broke a state meet record in the shot put with a throw of 69-5.75. 

In the pole vault, New Richmond junior Grant Harrison won the event clearing 16-6. A week prior he set the Division 2 record with a vault of 17 feet. 

In Division 3, senior Wade Colin of Crestview won the discus with a throw of 187-10 and added a state title in the shot put (58-3). 

In the 100 dash, Tree of Life junior Gabe Oppong won the program’s first individual state title, running a time of 10.98. He also finished runner-up in the 200 (22.13). 

Marion Local scored 51 points to defend their title. 

In girls action, Trinity junior Iniya Charlton won the 100 dash title 11.95 and was second in the 200. 

Smithville won the 800 and 1,600 titles en route to a state title. 

Woodmore senior Azure Travis won the 100 hurdles (14.37) and 300 hurdles (43.39). 

Team Champions

Division 1: Elyria boys 30 points, Wayne girls 46 points 

Division 2: Huron boys 40 points, Woodbridge girls 40 points 

Division 3: Marion Local boys 51 points, Smithville girls 50 points