Middies, Bulldogs shine in season opener

Team scores were not kept, but that did not keep Midview’s Josie Hoff and Olmsted Falls’ Maddie Boka from performing well at the John Sanders Invitational.

The 2017 track and field season started with the John Sanders Invitational on March 25 at Olmsted Falls. No team scores were recorded, as it was an opportunity for teams to gauge where they are early in the season.

Both the Bulldogs and Midview had bright spots on the day.

Midview freshman Josie Hoff won both the 100-meter dash (12.9) and the 200 (27.7). It marked the first official meet at the varsity level for Hoff.

“I had adrenaline flowing through and it was intense,” Hoff said. “But it was really fun. I was a little nervous because it’s my first meet. The competition is definitely way different. But people are very friendly.”

Midview coach Kevin Radigan and assistant Bill Lawton have raved about Hoff’s potential, and the freshman standout has big goals this season.

“For the 200, I want to beat the high school record of 25.9,” Hoff added.

Midview also had Emilee Cruz win the shot put (3010.2) on the girls side, while the boys had senior Michael Santa take a first place in the pole vault with a 10-6, tying his PR.

“There’s always a little rust with the first meet of the season,” Santa said. “My goal this year is to get to 12 feet but we’ll see and hopefully get to districts and regionals.”

Middies senior Jake Behler impressed in the 400-meter dash with a 52.2. The outgoing Behler was aiming for a better time. He wants a sub 50-time by later in the season.

“I wasn’t satisfied with that time,” Behler said. “Last year I started out at 51 flat but that was also my plateau and I never did better. So hopefully I can get higher than that and break into 49. I feel like I started out slow but I made it up on the back curve and came through with it. I’m hoping to get to district and possibly out of it and hopefully get a top-three finish at our big meets this year.”

Midview’s Ben Gendics won the 100 (11.0), and he helped lead the 4x100 relay team to a win (45.2) along with Jacob Austin, Eddie Ralat and Keith Johnson.

Midview’s 4x400 relay of Behler, Johnson, Luke Hunt, and Eddie Ralat with a win as well (3:39).

Columbia’s Matt Pettegrew won the 3,200 with a 10:27.4, while Olmsted Falls saw Dominic Gentile win the shot put (43-8). The Bulldogs’ Austin Juergens won the high jump with a 5-10, and the 4x800 boys relay team of Eli Tomasch, Joe Backus, Griffin Purdy and Collin Cook won posting a 9:12. The 4x200 relay of Andrew Turski, James Patton, Matt Johnson and Richie Nock took a first place with a 1:37.9.

On the Bulldogs’ girls side, Mia Colozza won the 400 (1:04) and teammate Maddie Boka won the 300 hurdles, posting a 50.2, while sophomore Lauren Gumeney followed with a 51.0. Both Boka and Gumeney finished second and third, respectively, in the 100 hurdles, too.

“It’s a good way to start the season,” Gumeney said, whose PR is 49.0 in the 300 hurdles. “I’ve definitely improved with my form and my endurance from last season. I made it to the districts last year and that was nice and now regionals is the goal.”

Olmsted Falls coach John Novotny saw positive signs with his team on both sides, despite missing a lot of athletes due to having spring break, including reigning state qualifier Mary Piper (long jump).

“We have a lot of new athletes,” Novotny said. “For the first meet, I just always see who stands out. We have a lot of potential and we as coaches, especially in the field events, have to coach them up. We should be very competitive on both the boys and girls side this year. I’m looking forward to it.”