Area contingent has big day at state indoor meet

10 champs crowned; Beachwood girls reign in D-II and III

As is customary, it was a banner day at SPIRE for News-Herald coverage area athletes March 7 during the state indoor track and field meet.

Ten champions were crowned across the two sessions for Division I and for D-II and III.

The Beachwood girls won the D-II and III state team title with 57 points, and the Mentor girls placed second as a team in D-I with 41 points. The Bison’s boys team completed a sweep in D-II and III with 37 points, edging Heath (35).

The Beachwood girls were powered by an exemplary individual day from Ashley Perryman, who won long jump (17-0 ½) and 200-meter dash (25.11) and was second in 60 (7.64), and a first in high jump (56) and fourth in long jump (16-0) from Maddie Alexander.

The Cardinals got a high jump title from Tori Lanese, who cleared 5 feet, 7 inches and a long jump crown (18-11¼) and runner-up finishes in 60 (7.61) and 200 (24.93) from 2019 NewsHerald girls track and field athlete of the year Paige Floriea.

Mayfield’s Josie Conti won D-I 60 hurdles with an 8.76, edging Westerville South’s Marissa Saunders (8.77).

Hawken’s Ella Gilson reigned in D-II and III 1,600 with a 5:08.80, just ahead of Hawks’ teammate Juliana Metz (5:09.78).

Cornerstone Christian’s

Abby Suszek captured D-II and III 400 with a 56.68.

Geneva’s Tayler Jamison was second to Suszek in 400 with a 58.29 and anchored the Eagles’ state champion 4x400 (4:07.07).

Beachwood’s Christian Mayfield took home top honors in D-II and III boys triple jump (43-5).

Riverside’s Mason Stephens took second in D-I boys high jump, clearing 6-8. Brush’s boys 4x8 was second (8:01.81)

Other area top-four placers were Beachwood’s boys 4x8 (third, D-II and III), boys 4x4 (third, D-II and III), Freddie Lenix Jr. (third, 200 and fourth, 60) and girls 4x4 (fourth, D-II and III) South’s Katherine Mendenhall (third, D-I girls high jump), Kenston’s girls 4x8 (third, D-I), Beaumont’s Mia Mlynek (third, D-II and III 1,600) and Geneva’s Elizabeth Joy (third, D-II and III 800).