Arcanum junior Klipstine anchors 4x800 relay win
Chance Klipstine’s DAYTON — Arcanum classmates delivered a message to the promising junior prior to this track and field season: no more spring vacation.
Essentially recruited by the Trojans, Klipstine has evolved into a formidable middle distance speedster. He offered an appreciative nod after anchoring Arcanum to a 4x800-meter relay win during Tuesday’s District III high school meet at Welcome Stadium.
“It’s awesome,” said Klipstine, who normally takes a break from sports in the spring. “They all push me so much.”
Twin Valley South (33 points) was the boys team leader, and TV South, Arcanum and Franklin Monroe (18) were all tied for the girls team lead after the first day of the postseason opener. Only a few field events were finals, and the 4x800 relay was the only running final.
The meet resumes with all finals Saturday at Welcome. The top four in each event advance to next week’s regional at Troy.
Klipstine held off Legacy Christian junior James Brads down the final straight to clinch Arcanum’s relay win (8:29.31). Legacy, previously known as Xenia Christian until this school year, was disqualified for running out of an exchange zone.
Other Arcanum relay members were Isaac Stephens, Tanner Delk and Justin Vanatta. Arcanum also advanced to the regional in this event last year but wilted in 11th.
“We’ve been working all season to try and get to state, and we’re on our way,” said Stephens said.
TV South sophomore Payton Gates saved his best for last in the winning the boys long jump.
After fouling twice, he flew 19 feet, 11 inches to lead the finals qualifiers. And just like previously, he also fouled his first two attempts. That left him with one remaining jump, and he delivered, going 21-4.75 to overtake the field, including runner-up Joe Plumer of Yellow Springs (20-4.75).
TV South (10:14.74) ran away with the girls 4x800 relay. Like its boys track a traditionally strong girls program, members of the Trojans’ relay were Madison Wright, Abby Creech, Meghan Wright and Zoe Utsinger. Legacy Christian was second (10:34.61).
Mechanicsburg sophomore vaulter Joey Mascadri was flawless through 12 feet and beat runner-up senior Brett Booso of Tri-County North on less misses. Both cleared 12-0, but Booso had a single miss at 11-6.
Tri-County North junior Hailey Thies was perfect through 5-2 and won the girls long jump. She missed three times at 5-5. Placing second was Preble Shawnee senior Elise Walker on fewer misses.
Southeastern sophomore Charlie Bertemes (142-10) and Franklin Monroe senior Nicole Berry (116-0) also won the discus.
Fort Loramie (boys) and Miami East (girls) were the first-day team leaders in Tuesday’s D-III district at Milton-Union.
Girls winners were the Russia 4x800 relay (9:55.74), Covington’s Lauren Christian in the shot put (39-4) and Ansonia’s Aliya Barga in the high jump (5-2).
Boys winners were Fort Loramie in the 4x800 relay (8:22.12), Loramie’s Jarrett Meyer in the long jump (204.50) and Ansonia freshman Brock Shellhaas, who set a pole vault meet record (148). Botkins teammates Josh Miller (155-8) and Joe Shuga (153-9) were 1-2 in the discus.
The Milton-Union D-III district also will be completed Saturday.
Today’s D-I district meets are at Welcome Stadium, Wayne and Mason. All the district meets have the same first- and second-day event format.