Friday, June 01, 2001
State boys track preview
Locals hold few title prospects
By Dave Schutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Winning individual and team state track championships hasn't been an easy task for Cincinnati-area athletes in the past 25 years.
If Carson Cheek, the editor of Ohio Track and Field Magazine, has assessed the meet correctly only three or four Cincinnati-area athletes could home the gold.
Last year, the only individual champions from the Cincinnati were Mason Ward (1,600) from Colerain and La Salle's Steve Padgett (3,200).
In the relays, St. Xavier won the 3,200 state title and Middletown's 1,600 team won, both in the Division I competition.
However, neither St. X nor Middletown will get an opportunity to defend their championships. Both were disqualified at the regional.
“A lot of people were hyping Middletown to win in Division I,” Cheek said. “Their sprinters didn't stack up like I thought. They'd have to score in several other events to do it.”
Cheek has been impressed throughout the season with Cleveland St. Ignatius, but another contender surfaced during the regional meets.
“I look for St. Ignatius and (Canton) Glen Oak to battle for the Division I team championship,” Cheek said. “Middletown's DQ in the 1,600 relay probably wouldn't have made a difference.”
In Cheek's opinion, Reading's DeShawn Wynn is the Cincinnati-area's only non-Division I athlete with a chance at state. Wynn, who finished second in the 100 and 200 last year, qualified in both events against this season in Division III.
“Randy Miller from Hemlock Miller qualified in 10.96 and Aaron McGrath from Paint Valley came in at 10.99 in the 100 meters,” Cheek said.
“The Wynn kid is 11.12 and could do it..”
Jarrod Murphy (Clearview) qualified fastest in the 200 at 22.55. Wynn was fourth in 23.12.
Traditionally, Cincinnati has done well in the 1,600 and 3,200 Division I events along with the pole vault. Add the long jump and high jump to the list this year.
“(Kevin) Furlow (Western Hills) qualified first (22-6) in the long jump and (Darrell) Hunter (Middletown) was second (22-4),” Cheek said.
“They may have the advantage because they qualified (at Welcome Stadium) without the use of a board in the regional. Most tracks have a board and this has been a major complaint since the meet was moved to Dayton.”
Lakota East's Erik Reynolds cleared the bar at 6-7 in the high jump and is the top qualifier. However, five others qualified at 6-6.
In the pole vault, Brent Walter (Moeller), Chris Smith (Princeton) and Daniel Albrinck (La Salle) will battle Dominic Pellittieri (Amhurst) for the state championship. All cleared 15 feet.
It's the distance events (1,600 and 3,200 meters) Cheek predicts will be won by Cincinnati-area runners. He pointed to Ryan Busse (St. Xavier), Jesse Rhodenbaugh (Talawanda) and Scott See (Middletown) as those who could win.
Busse qualified with the fastest time in the 1,600 (4:17.21) and 3,200 (9:23.42). Rhodenbaugh's (4:18.12) best chance is in the 1,600. See could prevail in the 3,200 (9:25.51).
Although Sycamore's Mark Mecum (1:57.53) won the 800 meters impressively at the Dayton regional, Cheek said the favorite is Mark Sylvester from St. Ignatius (1:49.07).
As for area athletes in other Division I events, Ian Ruth (Winton Woods) qualified ninth fastest in 11.16 in the 100. Middletown's Tyran Thompson was 10th in the 200. Cheek said no one will keep up with John Kelly from Thomas Worthington in the 400.
Overall, the Cincinnati area will be represented by 70 athletes from 24 schools at Welcome Stadium in Dayton.
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State boys track preview
