Division III state track and field capsule

June 1 and 2 Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium, Fred Taylor Drive, Columbus

June 1 — 9:30 a.m. (girls 4x800 final), 9:45 a.m. (boys 4x800 final), 10 a.m. to 12:10 p.m. (running preliminaries except distance), 1 p.m. (boys shot put, girls discus, girls pole vault, girls long jump and boys high jump), 4 p.m. (girls shot put, boys discus, boys pole vault, boys long jump and girls high jump); June 2 — 9:30 a.m. to noon (running finals)

After dealing with the injury bug for the better portion of two seasons, VASJ’s Nate Dean could finish that journey off with a dream ending in Columbus as the top seed coming into 400. The senior is the top seed after winning the Division III Massillon Perry Regional with a 48.83, a race that featured a nice homestretch turn attack that suggests he’s peaking well. Something similar — sub-49 and better — should be enough for a state title. Getting under 50 in prelims would be a statement of intent . ... There’s no touching East Canton in all likelihood, but Gilmour’s 4x800 should be in contention for state runner-up honors with an 8:07.23 coming in from regional. The main competition for a top-two should come from Liberty Center and Columbus Academy. It’s hard to envision three deep sub-8s again here, but it could take around 8-flat to ice that spot on the podium. ... As enjoyable as it would have been to see longtime Lancers standout sprinter Dylan Henry vie for state crowns in 100 and 200, his health unfortunately didn’t allow for it to get out of regional. But Henry was able to anchor 4x1 to a state berth. In Columbus, that should be a strong final with East Canton, Gamble Montessori and Columbus Academy, among others. But Gilmour has a shot to score well there. Also for the Lancers, Tim Diemer will have to push for at least a 1:55 in 800, but he is seeded nicely to get on the podium. And in long jump, C.J. Charleston will need to pop a high-22 to contend with Northmor’s reigning state champion Demetrius Johnson, but the potential is there.

In its return to D-III, Gilmour has the depth to score the points necessary to contend for a state team title. Anna won the girls D-III crown with 38 points last year to edge Minster with 36 — high-30s seems doable. A charge toward that goal will start with relays. In 4x8, Minster will be a load, coming in 9:25.32 with all four of its relay legs back from a quartet that took third at state last year. But the Lancers, with a veteran group back including Katie Engle and Izzy Greene, should vie for under 9:30 to at least get into the top three . ... In 4x4, it should take sub-3:58 to win it all. Covington, Norwalk St. Paul and Archbold are among those who could get there. Sophomore Madison Olsen’s role as the popper here is big for the Lancers. Sprint relays need to get a little faster, especially 4x2, but having a couple of veteran legs in Ava Thomas and Lucia Cannata will aid that cause . ... Engle is a skilled mile pacer. But it will be interesting in 1,600 at state to see how Engle deals with Minster’s Emma Watcke, the reigning state champion, to the 800 turn. Watcke will likely eye sub-5, and Engle can get well under 5:10 with her talent, but there’s also 3,200 to consider as well. ... Some points from Greene as an at-large qualifier in open 800 would be beneficial if things get tight with Minster in the team race . ... D-III 400 is in good hands for a while area-wise with Cornerstone Christian freshman Abby Suszek and Olsen. Suszek’s 57.93 at regional was a breakthrough, and Olsen is positioned fairly well given her relay workload in addition with a 59.38. The two to watch here as Suszek and Olsen aim for top three are Portsmouth’s Lynsey Shipley and Archbold’s Dakota Stamm. Both got under 57 to go 1-2 at state last spring — and it will likely require about the same from Suszek and Olsen to challenge in what could be an outstanding final.