Division II regional track and field area capsule

CLillstrung@news-herald.com What: Division II Austintown-Fitch Regional When: May 26 and 28 Where: 1 Falcon Drive, Youngstown

Schedule: May 26 — 5 p.m. (girls shot put, boys discus, boys pole vault, boys long jump and girls high jump) and 6 p.m. (4×800 finals and running preliminaries for all events except distance); May 27 — 11 a.m. (boys shot put, girls discus, girls pole vault, girls long jump and boys high jump) and noon (running finals)

Heat sheets: Heat sheets for Day 1 and Day 2 (prior to prelims) can be found on Ohio MileSplit.

What’s next: The top four in each event advance to state. The two best performances among the eight fifth- and sixth-place finishers across the four D-I regionals advance to state as at-large qualifiers.

What to look for: This may be one of the stronger across-the-board years for the D-II Austintown-Fitch Regional that we’ve seen in recent memory, so state berths will be at a premium. Reigning News-Herald boys track and field athlete of the year and Perry senior Javin Richards, provided a week of rest quiets his lower-back injury, will be a heavy favorite in 110-meter hurdles and 300 hurdles, especially the latter. No one in this field has the homestretch closing ability in 3s that he has, an ability that could get him into the 37s. In pole vault, again if the back is OK, he should be fine to get into the 15-plus range again with his brother Brayden, and it’ll help both to have Akron SVSM’s Blake Sifferlin there late in the competition. Speaking of the Pirates, that 4×2hitting in the 1:28s yielded a lot of hope going into Fitch. Hawken’s boys 4×100 quartet of Dominic Johnson, Christian Anderson, Andrew Bukovnik and Jordan Harrison has somehow made shattering state and area records in the event seem normal, after their pair of 41s at the D-II Perry District, including a 41.53 in the final. There was still constructive criticism there from the Hawks themselves that exchanges can still be better. So as absurd as it sounds, lower in the 41s is possible. Harrison and Anderson should also be contenders in open 1 and open 2. Having Keystone’s well-regarded Ryne Shackelford in the field will make those finals appointment viewing.

One of the best head-tohead battles at Fitch will be in girls sprints, with Hawken senior staple Makayla White vying with Akron SVSM’s Kya Epps. Except that at minimum to get in the low12s for open 1 and high-24 for open 2. White has been such a strong big-stage performer throughout her career, there are few News-Herald coverage area student-athletes in the sport you can trust more in these moments. Beachwood’s Sarah Brown, prior to her excelling like usual on the Bison’s state championship-contending sprint relays, should have things well under control in shot put with her 41-plus potential.

In 4×8, of course in D-II, the standard-bearer is the Chagrin Falls girls. Salem coming in with a 9:21.12 is a concern. But the Tigers with their extensive senior experience with Claire Coffey, Rose Hoelzel and Claire Stinson, along with freshman Bella Radomsky coming on, will be right there. In boys 4×8, Chagrin surprised last week with a district crown, and it feels like there’s enough there to vie for the top four, along with a promising group from Beachwood. Speaking of the Bison, that 4×4 has been making an impression all spring, and it’s in the realm of possibility for them to get into under 3:21 and give Glenville a late battle there en route to Columbus.

Also keep an eye at Fitch on Lake Catholic’s Carly Duricky (100hurdles) and Claire Duricky (300 hurdles), Hawken’s Leila Metres (400), Benedictine’s Brandon Boyd Jr. (400), Beachwood’s Braylen Eaton (long jump) and Caleb Berns (800), Chagrin Falls’ Rose Hoelzel (1,600) and Claire Coffey (800) and NDCL’s Brian Bates (800). Gilmour and Beaumont, after competing in the girlsonly Bedford District, are funneled again this year to the Lexington Regional. The Lancers have plenty of scoring potential to vie for the regional team title out there.

In 4×8, Shelby and Huron could make that interesting for Gilmour. But with Amy Weybrecht on the anchor, going sub-9:50 for the win is in the offing. Weybrecht will have some serious competition in open 8 and in mile in Shelby’s Kayla Gonzales and Huron’s Kennedy Schlessman, respectively, but will be among the favorites after her D-II 800title a year ago.

The Lancers’ Karah Henderson, The News-Herald coverage area’s best 100 hurdler and a technical clinic in the event, should be at least low-15s if not markedly better in the final, especially with Marengo Highland’s Juliette Laracuente there to battle. Mariyah Moore is developing nicely as a sophomore and should get deeper into the 12s on 100 and will help lead Gilmour’s respected sprint relays. That 4×1 encouraged at Bedford with a 49.34, but Toledo Central Catholic is a tough customer. Beaumont will score well as a team, too, paced by its highly regarded 4×4 and 4×2. That 4×4 has been knocking on the door for a sub-4 all spring, and now is the time. Patricia O’Neill and Deasia Washington, with their deep sub-59 ability, will be a handful there as well as on 4×4, as the Blue Streaks prepare to defend their state title in the event. Also watch for Beaumont pole vaulter Madyson Treharne, whose 11-plus ability should put her in line for regional title contention.