Watterson’s Lombardi leaves with victories, diploma
LEXINGTON, Ohio — Several months ago, Dominic Lombardi checked the calendar and made a vow not to graduate with the rest of Watterson’s senior class.
“I knew graduation was on the same day as the regional meet, and after watching Joe Mankovecky get his diploma last year at the regional, I thought it would be really cool,” Lombardi said. “To be able to graduate doing what I love the most is the ultimate.”
Lombardi and his classmates enjoyed a festive day in the Division II meet at Lexington.
After running down Pemberville Eastwood anchor Jake Hoodlebrink in the 400-meter relay, Lombardi and teammates Ryan Urquhart and Cody Calhoun put on their maroon caps and gowns, stepped atop the awards stand and received their gold medals and diplomas from coach Matt McGowan.
Junior Brad Kanney ran the opening leg on the relay, which the team finished in a a schoolrecord time of 42.71 seconds to remain undefeated this season.
“I’m not used to chasing people on the last leg,” Lombardi said. “Cody and I had a bad handoff — it was my fault. … I was too late — but we still ran our best time. It makes you wonder how fast we can go next week at the state (meet). We’re really hoping for big stuff.”
Lombardi, the defending state champion in the 300 hurdles, ran a careerbest time (37.99) in winning the event yesterday. He also was second in the 110 hurdles.
“I’ve been shooting to get under 38 seconds all year,” he said of the 300 hurdles. “It was a pretty smooth, clean race. A couple guys came up on me on the last hurdle, but that just helped me get into another gear.”
Pemberville Eastwood won the boys title with 61 points. River Valley was runner-up with 44. Orrville outscored Findlay Liberty Benton 63-55 to win the girls meet.
River Valley got victories from Ethan Douglas in the 100 (11.19) and Craig Martin in the pole vault (15 feet).
Cameron Jackson of Eastmoor Academy won the 110 hurdles.
“I didn’t run very good in the prelims and drew a bad lane, but I could see Dominic and Alex Sherman (of Bloom-Carroll) out of the corner of my eye and I knew they were my top competition,” Jackson said. “I missed graduation for this, and I wanted to make sure to come home with the win to make it all worthwhile.”
Other area boys winners were Kevin Jones of Highland in the 1,600 (4 minutes, 24.28 seconds) and Kyle Galyk of Pleasant in the 200 (22.20). Jeff Floyd of Linden took second in the high jump (6-6).
Hannah Campbell of River Valley was the big story in the girls meet. Running by herself from the third lap on, Campbell broke a 27-year-old regional record in the 3,200 with a career-best time of 10:49.03. She also broke a school record with a second-place finish in the 1,600 (5:05.02).
“My coach texted me yesterday that the meet record was 10:58 to give me some motivation,” Campbell said. “I’ve had a lot of seconds and thirds in state track and cross country meets, and I’d really like to take first next week. That’s my last chance.”