BOYS STATE TRACK Dunbar still in running for state title

COLUMBUS —

Dunbar came within three-quarters of an inch of winning the Division II long jump at Friday’s Division II state high school track and field meet.

Instead, Michael Ohiembor dropped all the way to fourth (21 feet, 11 ¼ inches). The winning jump was 22 feet.

The event was held during a hard rain.

“Jumping in the rain really messed me up,” the senior said. “It was really miserable.”

Dunbar should still contend for an elusive boys team title, but it’ll be an uphill battle.

Dunbar took another hit by flaming out in the 3,200-meter relay. That was compounded by Akron St. Vincent St. Marys win in the event. Like Dunbar, the Irish also are considered a boys D-II state team contender after having won the first title in program history last year.

Dunbar senior LaTrell Turner won his 100 heat and also qualified for the 200 finals. But like Thurgood Marshall, Dunbar’s 400 relay had a bad exchange and couldn’t advance to today’s finals.

“Our heads were down when we dropped the stick in the (400 relay),” Turner said.

“We knew that we needed our teammates to step up and get our points back. I stepped up in the open (100) and (200).”

The meet concludes today at Ohio State University’s Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.

• Thurgood Marshall’s Alante Oliver (49.55) and Joe Ballard (48.89) won their D-II 400 heats, but it was bittersweet.

Oliver was among the state’s best in the 100, 200 and 400. He opted out of the 100 at district because of a slight muscle strain. He had nothing left for the state 200 semifinals.

“I’m just cold and sick,” he said.

Marshall also got its 800 and 1,600 relays to the finals, but muffed a handoff and was DQ’ed in the 400 relay.

• Area D-I boys had a few bright spots. Troy senior Nick James advanced to the finals in the 100 and 200 and TrotwoodMadison also moved its 400, 800 relays to today. Centerville qualified in the 800 relay and was seventh in the 3,200 relay.

All of the D-I field events are today.

• The only way Cedarville sprinter Zeke Young can surpass his effort at last year’s state meet is to win the D-III 400. He easily passed his semifinal (49.38).

Young, a powerfully built senior, will be matched up with defending state champ Matt Tobin of Sherwood Fairview in the final.

“I probably won’t even sleep (Friday night) I’ll be so excited,” said Young.