Gahanna girls, Lancaster boys eye repeats
The track and field indoor state meet is this weekend at SPIRE Institute in Geneva.
Division I competes Friday, and the Divisions II-III meet is Saturday. The event is sponsored by the Ohio Association of Track and Cross Country Coaches.
Here are five storylines heading into the event:
1. Gahanna Lincoln girls seek indoor title repeat
Although they lost several key athletes to graduation, including an elite hurdler in now-kentucky freshman Camden Bentley, the Lions hope to defend their indoor title.
Leading the way should be senior Keena Sanders, a Miami University commit who is seeded fourth in the 400 meters (57.74). She also will run on the 800 and 1,600 relays.
“I really enjoy indoor,” Sanders said. “It allows me to see the competition. We compete against schools from other states, so it's really cool to see how I compare.”
Gahanna coach Roger Whittaker also expects strong meets from senior Anna Sergio (high jump) and sophomores Aliyah Bennett (sprints) and Mia Rowe (high jump).
2. Westerville Central looking for strong performances
The Central girls finished third in last year's indoor and outdoor state meets.
Senior Olivia Pace, a Southern California commit, is seeded first in the 60 (7.38), second in the 200 (24.21) and fourth in the long jump (17-9 1⁄2). She won the Division I outdoor long jump title (19-2 3⁄4) last spring.
“Indoor is a good opportunity for the kids to get going, but the ultimate goal is what can we do outdoor,“coach David Mentlow said. “We'll have a lot more depth outdoor . ... If Olivia has a great day and wins all three events, we have a chance (to win the indoor team title).”
The Central boys should be led by sophomore Elijah Harris, who is seeded first in the high jump (6-9) and triple jump (42-4 1⁄4).
3. Lancaster boys look to repeat as champions
The Lancaster boys are hoping to defend their first indoor state title.
The Golden Gales' lineup features seniors Gunner Richards (60, long jump), Logen Justice (high jump), Zane Schorr (1,600), Brandon Simcox (60 hurdles), Wes Taylor (1,600) and Devon Totten (60 hurdles).
“Indoor for us is a lot about development,” coach Joseph Moorhead said. “It's a little bit of payoff for the hard work you do in the winter.”
For the girls, Aubree Beery is seeded
first in the weight throw (48-1).
4. Pickerington Central hopes for strong showing
The Tigers have been among central Ohio's strongest programs in recent seasons.
Senior Micah Coates (60, 400), juniors Xavier Mccoy (200) and Juell Scott (200) and sophomore Lorenzo Brazzell (400) are among the Tigers' standouts.
For the girls, sophomore Adrianna Francis will compete in the 60 hurdles.
Coach Darrin Green said indoor helps his athletes “build their strength up (to) get them some quality conditioning” ahead of the spring season.
“If you don't do indoor, because so many schools and the best kids ... are running indoor, you fall behind,” Green
said. 5. Westerville North’s Gabelman to run in state indoor finale
North senior Ben Gabelman is seeded first in the 1,600 (4:12.45) and 3,200 (9:05.27), ahead of Olentangy Orange's Matthew Schroff (4:15.58) and Dublin Scioto's Weston Day (9:09.17), respectively.
A Syracuse commit, Gabelman won the Division I state cross country title (14:51.66) last fall.
For the girls, other No. 1 seeds are Worthington Kilbourne's Mirabelle Thornton (pole vault, 12-0) and Granville's Nora Carrington (triple jump, 36-1⁄2). fdirenna@dispatch.com @Dispatchfrank