Central Ohio boys have strong state track showing
Saturday, June 3, 2023
By Jarrod Ulrey
julrey@cbussports.com
Beechcroft’s Jayden Douglas celebrates his state championship in the 110-meter hurdles during the Division I state track and field meet June 3 at Ohio State. Photo: John Hulkenberg
The Central District depth compared to the rest of the state was on clear display at the Division I state boys track and field meet June 2-3 at Ohio State.
Although Toledo St. John’s came away with the team title by scoring 35 points, Pickerington Central followed its state title a year ago by earning a runner-up finish with 29 as seven central Ohio programs finished among the top eight overall.
Hilliard Davidson senior Connor Ackley, Beechcroft senior Jayden Douglas and Licking Heights senior D.J. Fillmore each won two titles.
Ackley put an exclamation point on a 2022-23 running season that included him winning the state boys cross country championship last November by earning titles in the 1,600 meters (4 minutes, 7.1 seconds) and 3,200 (9:05.5).
“It’s exactly what I wanted to do this year,” said Ackley, a Syracuse signee. “It feels good to finally go out there and do it. We wanted to get the double today.”
Douglas, a TCU signee, ran to the 110 hurdles title in 13.78 and defended his championship in the 300 hurdles by running 36.46.
He also helped the 800 relay finish fifth (1:27.1) as the Cougars finished fourth with 24 points.
“Two titles means a lot,” Douglas said. “I’m from the City and it just means a lot to rebuild the City to where it used to be a powerhouse.”
Connor Ackley of Hilliard Davidson finishes his win in the 1,600 meters during the Division I state track and field meet June 3 at Ohio State. Photo: John Hulkenberg
Fillmore earned titles in the long jump (25 feet, 1/4 inches) and the 200 (20.8) to help the Hornets tie Davidson and Dublin Jerome for fifth with 20 points.
“You’ve just got to stay in the shade, stay hydrated and just lock in and warm up properly,” said Fillmore, an Ohio State commit. “The runway was pretty fast and if I hadn’t scratched the other ones (in the long jump), I could have gotten 26 (feet).”
Pickerington Central senior Troy Lane, a Kentucky signee, earned a title in the 100 (10.44) and a third-place finish in the 200 (21.29) to help his team earn the runner-up trophy.
“I didn’t run too well (during the preliminary) in the 200, so we decided it was best for me to get the most points we could get in individual events,” Lane said. “I was able to compete in the state meet (each of the last three years), so I’m blessed.”
Lancaster finished third with 28 points as senior Daniel Edwards cleared 16-4 to win the pole vault and senior teammate Lukas Long was third (16-0).
“It’s a big meet, but you’ve got to take it just like it’s any other meet,” said Edwards, who is committed to Ohio State. “You have to keep pushing through. (Long and I) have been friends since preschool. We came together and did the same sport in high school and kept pushing the bar higher every single day.”
Bloom-Carroll senior Dylan Chittum threw 60-9 3/4 to capture the shot put championship. He also was eighth in the discus (157-6).
“I’m definitely happy with the (shot put), but I thought I had more in me,” Chittum said. “I saw what I needed to do and I really pushed myself and worked as hard as I could.”
Isaiah Coleman of Canal Winchester competes in the Division I long jump during the state track and field meet June 3 at Ohio State. Photo: John Hulkenberg
The tightest race of the day was held in the 800, where Olentangy Liberty senior Jaxson Eckert ran 1:50.973 and Lancaster senior Colton Thress finished in 1:50.975.
“He and I have been pushing each other and it’s been a hell of a ride,” said Eckert, who also will compete at Ohio State while Thress will run for Ashland.
In the 800 relay, seniors Maxwell Cummings, Drew Pizzico, Makai Shahid and Romearo Wells ran 1:25.86 to win the title. The Lions finished runner-up in that event each of the past two seasons.
“It was nerve-wracking at first, but we had to get the job done,” said Wells, who added a third-place finish in the long jump (23-4 3/4).
Earning runner-up finishes were Franklin Heights senior Richard Honkpo in the long jump (23-6 1/4), Independence senior A.J. Jordan in the 100 (10.58), Westerville North junior Ben Gabelman in the 1,600 (4:09.07) and Dublin Jerome junior Sam Ricchiuti in the 3,200 (9:06.59).
Finishing third were Independence’s 400 relay (41.9), Jerome senior Josh Razor in the 1,600 (4:09.37), New Albany senior Josh Richardson in the high jump (6-7), Olentangy Orange’s 3,200 relay (7:47.42), Pickerington Central senior Robert Keuchler in the discus (165-0), Westerville Central senior Marcus Gordon in the 110 hurdles (14.18), Whitehall junior Andre Jackson in the 400 (47.59), and Worthington Kilbourne junior Ryan Smith in the 3,200 (9:07.91).
Lions’ Louis leads pack in Division II
After winning the state title in the 400 in 2021, Mason Louis had his season end at district a year ago because of an injury.
The Bexley senior came back brilliantly this season, capturing state titles in the 200 (21.14) and 400 (47.02).
Mason Louis of Bexley runs a heat of the 400 meters during the Division II state track meet June 2 at Ohio State. Photo: John Hulkenberg
His performances, combined with that of junior Solomon McDow, who placed sixth in the 1,600 (4:19.82), helped the Lions finish sixth (23) as Cleveland Glenville won the title with 60.
“(The 200) was my last high school race and went out with a bang,” Louis said. “We work a lot on closing and a lot of 200s and I was prepared for the moment. It feels good. Missing out on last year having to sit out was really hard. I’m glad to be back.”
Marion-Franklin sophomore Dawayne Galloway didn’t compete in track as a freshman but concluded his first prep season with a bang, finishing runner-up in the 100 (10.42) and 200 (21.32).
“Mason is fast in the 200, so I expected it to be fast,” Galloway said. “It was a pretty good finish for my first year. It just took a lot of hard work and determination to do it.”
The Eastmoor Academy 400 relay of juniors Javon Colvin and Tderyan Lewis, freshman Donovan Delph and senior Christian Monroe turned in a fourth-place finish (42.58).
Also for the Warriors, senior Dallas Hodge placed seventh in the discus (163-11). Hodge is an Ohio State commit.
Trojans’ Oppong, Bulldogs’ Streby shine in Division III
In Division III, Tree of Life sophomore Gabe Oppong reached the podium in both of his events after not qualifying for the regional in any event a year ago.
Oppong finished third in the 100 (10.85) and fourth in the 200 (22.22).
“I love the 100,” Oppong said. “I wish I had a better start, but it was good. The 200, I was kind of disappointed, but I’ll be here next year by God’s grace.”
East Knox senior Nathan Streby turned in a third-place finish in the 800 (1:52.73) as United’s Kaleb Nastari ran a state-record 1:48.31.
“It sucked to be in lane seven for the first 300, but at the 200 mark, it was like just keep going,” Streby said. “I was a little further behind than I was last year but I felt stronger the second lap. I had nothing lose.”