The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Geneva, Perry weather field
Eagles and host Pirates sweep their divisions on a cold day
Not that she was trying to do anything sleight of hand, of course, but don’t let Leah King fool you.
As the returning Division II 100 hurdles state champion, it may be easy to assume the Perry junior’s best work comes when there happens to be something in her way on the track.
But April 14 on her home track at the Perry Relays was proof once again King can deliver the goods regardless what’s in the way.
The Pirates recorded eight top twos to capture the Division B team title with 100 points. Among the highlights was King showing strong 400 acumen anchoring Perry’s winning sprint medley and 4x400.
King attacked both 100 turns with ferocity and had good pace coming home in one of the sport’s toughest disciplines as the Pirates took SMR in 2 minutes, 3.44 seconds and 4x4 in 4:21.25.
“Normally, I just have to train with 400s because I’m doing (300 hurdles) throughout the season,” King said. “So it’s just like practice for me. I just have to keep running more and more 400s to get used to the 3s. They just work hand in hand together.
“I’m so pleased (with the
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team performance). We all held together — as cold as it was — and competed really good in the races. We raced smart, saved some energy in case we had another 800 or a mile to do or another 100. We competed really good. I am so proud of my teammates.”
And maybe a little proud of Mother Nature, as well.
Perry was not spared from the cold weather that enveloped the lakeshore, but the rain held off until 4x4 and team trophy presentations. Part of making sure you can stick around for the latter, in addition to racing smart as King alluded, is being smart in the approach leading into it.
“You just have to be mentally strong,” King said. “Everyone is going around saying, ‘It’s like 65 degrees at my house but it’s 40 here.’ Well, we’re right on the lake. That’s something I’ve been used to since I’ve been living here, because we’re right by the lake.
“You have to layer up. You’ve got to stay warm, and we’re lucky enough to have the facility here to warm up inside. You’ve just got to keep your energy going and have a positive attitude even though it’s kind of crappy out.”
A positive attitude and its typically deep roster afforded the Geneva girls another rendezvous with hardware, accumulating 122 points to easily take the Division A team crown.
The Eagles won seven events, including a sweep of 4x1 (51.44), 4x2 (1:49.21) and 4x4 (4:13.57).
“It was awesome,” said junior Paige Williams, who ran legs on all three of those relays. “It was kind of bad weather, but everyone was really positive. So it was awesome coming out here and doing that well.
“We get to run different events (in an all-relay format) — sprint medley, distance medley. We don’t always have those. So it’s really nice. It’s a lot different. We get to work more as a team.”
On the boys side, Perry also ensured the team trophy wouldn’t be going far from the box in which Athletic Director T.J. Rockwell had it, putting in a solid afternoon to stave off Woodridge, 100-96.
Justin Haywood was busy but productive in the morning, pacing the Pirates’ relay wins in shot put and discus. The senior, a returning D-II regional qualifier in both throws, had the best individual efforts with a 47-3 in shot and — almost miraculous with piercing wind — a 142-8 in discus.
“It felt really good actually,” said Haywood, who was seventh in discus at the D-II Austintown-Fitch Regional last spring (1443). “I put in a lot of hard work during the offseason, and it worked out. We took second here a couple times, and first place felt really good overall especially.
“I’ve been working really hard, trying to get past the regional mark now. I was a little short of it last year, and this year, I’m going for it.”
The Geneva boys won the Division A team crown with 102 points.