Westerville Central boys, Gahanna girls programs win regional track titles

Justin Braun won the 200 and 400 meters to lead the Westerville Central boys track and field team to its first Division I regional championship Friday at Pickerington North.

The Gahanna girls team captured its seventh consecutive regional championship heading into the state meet Friday and Saturday at Ohio State.

Braun, the defending state champion in the 100, 200 and 400, was edged in the final of the 100 by Pickerington Central's Troy Lane — 10.51 seconds to 10.52. Braun wasn't fazed by the loss, setting meet records in the 200 (20.94) and 400 (45.65).

“I wasn't salty (going into the 400 after losing the 100). I have to lock back in,” Braun said. “I can't let anger be a variable in my race. If I get out too hard or I'm not running as smooth, and that can mess up my next race. Each race is its own thing. I can't take emotions into it.”

The Warhawks scored 55 points to outpace runner-up Olentangy Orange (43) and third-place Lancaster (40).

Hilliard Davidson junior Connor Ackley won the 1,600 (meet-record 4:09.46) and 3,200 (9:16.33).

Westerville South senior Reign Winston set the meet record in the high jump, clearing 6 feet, 10 3/4 inches. It also was a program record for South.

“In my first and second jump it was sprinkling, but I'm just glad to get the meet in,” Winston said. “All day I was afraid that it was going to be (postponed because of bad weather). This put my confidence at an all-time high, and I just hope to do that again next week (at state).”

Gahanna cruised to the girls title with 73 points. Westerville Central (50) and Davidson (47) were second and third, respectively.

Gahanna junior Camden Bentley swept the hurdles, winning the 100 hurdles in a meet-record 13.6 and the 300 hurdles in 42.9. Last season at state, she won the 300 hurdles and was runner-up in the 100 hurdles.

Westerville Central sophomore Olivia Pace won the 100 (11.84) and 200 (24.73). Davidson senior Alyssa Mason won the 3,200 in a meet-record 10:39.66.

Division III

The Worthington Christian girls won the regional championship at Chillicothe Southeastern.

Worthington Christian ended the meet with 67 points to Fairbanks' 66.

Coal Grove Dawson-bryant (64) was third. Grandview (29) was seventh and Africentric and Tree of Life tied for 11th (20).

Ashland Crestview picked up the boys title, edging Mount Gilead 66.5-60.

Grandview was third (40). Cristo Rey (18) tied for 13th and Wellington (15.5) tied for 17th.

Worthington Christian got wins from senior Brooke Holloway in the pole vault (10-8) and a pair of relays. Junior Jane Bechtel, senior Grace Hall and sophomores Natalie Woodfin and Rachel Fife were first in the 400 relay (51.07), and junior Maria Klausman, Hall, senior Audrey Mousa and sophomore Jamie Custer won the 800 relay (1:45.66).

Tree of Life freshman Gianna Lane won the 100 (12.48) and 200 (25.96), and Mount Gilead senior Michaela Mcgill won the 3,200 in a meet-record 10:44.4.

For the boys, Cristo Rey senior Noah Carmichael won the 400 (48.81) and was runner-up in the 200 (22.49). Grandview senior Collin Haj Abed won the 110 hurdles (14.87), finished second in the 300 hurdles (41.1) and placed third in the long jump (21-5 1/2).