Fifth-place finishes deny Springfield sprinter
But Wildcats’ Scott is headed to state thanks to long jump victory.
Springfield junior Quincy Scott suffered the cruelest fate during Friday night’s Division I regional track and field finals at Welcome Stadium. Worse, he endured that twice. Scott placed fifth in the 100
meters in a clocking that had to be extended an extra digit (11.137) to separate him from fourth-place finisher Jordan Campbell of Lebanon (11.132). Then Scott matched that fifth-place effort in the 200.
Why is that significant? Only the top four advance to next week’s season-ending state meet at Columbus.
“I couldn’t be mad,” said Scott, who eased that pain by winning the long jump with a career-best 23 feet, 2 inches Wednesday. “It was something I was looking forward to all year. My heart was beating so fast down there in the (100) blocks. I was like, man, I’m just trying to focus.”
Mason won the final 4x400 relay (3:20.67) to clinch the boys team title 57-45 over runner-up Trotwood-Madison. Cincinnati Withrow ran away with the girls team title 116-75 over runner-up Mason.
The top four in each event qualify to the D-I state meet at Ohio State’s Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium next weekend. A storm canceled all the regional running semifinals Wednesday, so Friday’s finals were an untraditional two heats in all events and placers were based on best times.
Scott will be joined by junior teammate Dyier Smith, who won his specialty, the 110 high hurdles (14.63).
Beavercreek freshman vaulter Eileen Yang is a quick learner. She guessed she’s been vaulting “almost two years, I think.”
Using a new pole, Yang beat an outstanding field to place first (12-0).
“I’m pinching myself right now,” she said. “I was hoping to qualify (to state), but to win the regional, ahhhhhh.”
Greenville senior A.J. Frens served notice he’s ready to contend for a state title by winning the pole vault (15-8) Wednesday. The norm for winning a D-I state vault title usually means a leap of 16 feet or better.
Fort Loramie and Minster were the boys and girls team winners in Friday’s D-III regional at Troy.
Anna was unbeatable in the girls sprint relays, sweeping the 4x100 (49.81), setting a meet record in the 4x200 (1:42.98) and also besting the 4x400 field (3:57.62).
Cedarville’s boys won the 4x400 relay (3:25.66) and Indians anchor Davin Gruet also placed first in the 400 (50.12). Sophomore teammate Brandon Pollock was third (51.08) in the 400. Both Gruet and Pollock also ran on the third-place 4x200 relay (1:31.82).
Like D-I, the top four advance to the state meet.
The D-II regional finals are today at Piqua’s Alexander Stadium. Field events are at 11 a.m. and running finals at 12:30 p.m.