Chambers, Valdez fuel banner meet for Brookside

LEXINGTON » It was four years in the making for Brookside senior David Chambers to qualify for the Division II state meet. Rather, 16 years in the making. On May 26 at Lexington High School for the regional meet, Chambers closed his eyes and flew down the 400-meter race, taking second with a school record 49.40 behind champion Casey VanCauwenbergh of Huron (49.31).

It marked the first time since 2002 a Brookside boy qualified to the state meet when Matt Craig did it in the 100-meter dash.

The look on Chambers’ face afterwards said it all.

“To be honest, I didn’t even know where I was at during that race, I just had my eyes closed,” Chambers said. “The only time I opened my eyes is when I peaked at the time. I just wanted to not let anybody behind me not get ahead of me.”

Falling short like Chambers did in the past wasn’t an option. Last season, Chambers took sixth, two spots behind a qualification.

“I was thinking of all the things that got me angry to the past couple years of me getting here,” Chambers said. “Especially not getting it last year and not getting anywhere near it my freshman year. I got so angry and pumped up for this race. This means everything to me, I’m still in disbelief right now.”

Chambers’ teammate, senior Madissyn Valdez, qualified in the 100-meter (12.58), breaking the school record while taking fourth. She took sixth in the 200 (26.41). Like Chambers, Valdez’s years of falling short fueled her.

“It feels a lot better than it has in the past,” Valdez said. “Because I usually get off crying. But I didn’t this year. My freshman year we came out on the 4x2 and got fifth place. And that was my biggest motivation because I knew that hurt and crying on the podium was the biggest thing that broke my heart. I remember our upperclassmen who left for graduation and I said since my freshman year that I was going to graduate on the podium with my teammates and I was going to end up making it to state. And that’s what I did today. It was the biggest accomplishment I can probably reach.”

Both Valdez and Chambers along with regional qualifier Justin Below also celebrated their graduation on the track field.

Brookside coach Brad Barhorst said the breakthrough moment was key for the Cardinals’ program.

“It’s unbelievable,” he said. “My first year here, we had a girls relay team get fifth by less than a tenth of a second. And Madissyn Valdez has been to this level all four years and just missed making the finals as a sophomore, and last year she was sixth in the 100 and David was sixth in the 400. We were so close. That they finally get to get through is so exciting. And for them to also have their graduation here, plus with Justin Below. I’m so excited for them.”

Vermilion qualified a pair of athletes to the state meet. Vermilion senior Zack Kelly placed fourth in the 200 (22.14) and junior Macey Urig placed third in the pole vault (11-0).

Kelly, a soccer player, is a first-year runner, and set out his main goal to reach Columbus.

“I love it, man,” Kelly said. “I’ve been talking about making it to state for a while including in soccer. So I’m happy. I always have good vibes and keep a good mind. I’m super excited and excited for my teammate as well. I can’t complain.”

Urig is the first girls pole vaulter from Vermilion to qualify.

She cleared 11-feet on her first attempt and learned from her past experiences.

“Last year I was here and I froze up, so I just kept my cool,” Urig said. “If you’re here, you’re here for a reason. I just had to do what I knew how to do. If you tense up, everything goes wrong. You have to surround yourself with people that keep you positive and I had a huge support group. It was a good day.”

Clearview senior Alyzabeth Lighty came in second in the 200 with a PR (25.58) behind state champion Makiy Montgomery (24.76) of Beechcroft to qualify for the first time. She finished seventh in the 100 (12.84).

“I kept telling myself I will go to state,” Lighty said. “I didn’t think I would get second, but I’m happy I did. I’m really happy. I just pushed my hardest.”

Firelands junior Blake Ruffner finished fifth in the open 400 with a PR (50.69), and it was believed he fell short of a state bid. But hours later, the at-large bid qualifications were released, where the two fastest times outside the top four across all regions get through. Ruffner made the cut.

He also finished fifth in the high jump (6-3).

“There are a lot of great runners here and there always is,” Ruffner said. “I gave it everything I had. I PR’d and can’t complain about the outcome.”