Coming off district and regional titles, Jonathan Alder’s Mark Goode, Ian Odell, Lincoln Wilson and Jake Goode entered the Division III state track and field meet confident in their chances of reaching the top of the podium in the boys 3,200-meter relay June 5 at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.
The Pioneers pulled off the feat, winning in 7 minutes, 48.46 seconds.
“We had a pretty good idea that we could go out and win,” said Mark Goode, a senior. “We were second in [the] indoor [state meet in March] and then freshman, Jake, really made a lot of improvement throughout the spring. Lincoln improved heavily, and same with Ian. We all made great leaps this spring.”
Mark Goode battled injuries in his first three seasons with the program and missed the past two postseasons with leg and foot injuries.
“We were able to stay healthy this year,” he said. “I’ve done a lot of cross-training. I really changed up my training. Kudos to coach [Justin] Crepps for helping me out with that. It’s been a really special day to get back here and being able to do it with my best friends and my little brother.”
Mark Goode also ran at state as a freshman, joining older brother Luke, a 2024 graduate, on the seventh-place 3,200 relay.
Wilson faced the difficult task of also competing in the 3,200 later in the day and finished 16th (10:39.78). Mark Goode withdrew from the race.
Fairfield Union was fifth in the 3,200 relay (7:53.96).
In Division IV girls, Fredericktown’s Ella Bouton won the shot put (46 feet), a day after finishing fifth in the discus (135-6). The top eight make the awards podium.
Also in Division IV, Columbus School for Girls’ Hannah Watson was second in the 100 hurdles (14.9) and fifth in the 300 hurdles (45.7), North Union’s Gabby Lindsay was third in the 400 (56.98), Northridge’s Ava Travis was fourth in the 400 (57.26) and 200 (25.63) and eighth in the 100 (13.13), Amanda-Clearcreek’s Samantha Buckley was fifth (15.2) in the 100 hurdles, Amanda’s Gavynn Sowers was fifth in the 1,600 (5:03.5) and seventh in the 800 (2:19.71), and CSG was fourth in the 400 relay (48.95).
In Division IV boys, Mount Gilead’s Kasen Wallace was fourth (14-4) and Liberty Union’s Max Harris finished sixth (14-0) in the pole vault. Mount Gilead’s Tae Watson was third in the 110 hurdles (14.68), Cristo Rey’s Nigel Yorke was fourth in the 100 (11.15) and sixth in the 200 (22.91) and Utica’s Hunter McKinney was seventh in the 400 (49.74).
In Division V girls, Danville’s Kelsey Hackman was fourth (17-5¼) and Harvest Prep’s Kendyll Dent was fifth (17-3¾) in the long jump. Wellington’s Naomi Livits was fifth in the 400 (57.88) and Grandview Heights finished fifth in the 800 relay (1:44.2).
In Division III girls, Fairfield Union’s Vera Henderly, Kate Springer, Tyler Teal and Sadie Schultz finished fourth (9:32.47) in the 3,200 relay, and Henderly later took sixth in the 3,200 (11:06.86).
In Division V boys, Genoa Christian’s Adam Snowball was third in the 200 (22.43) and eighth in the 100 (11.53).
Central Ohio athletes open OHSAA track meet with strong efforts
Several central Ohio athletes turned in strong performances June 4, the first of four days of competition at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.
In Division IV girls, Fredericktown’s Jenny Alexander was third in the pole vault (12-0) and Fairbanks’ 3,200 relay finished seventh (9:38.94).
In Division IV boys, West Jefferson’s Colton Mannon was third in the shot put (58-2¼).
In Division V girls, Danville’s Brookelynn Carter finished third in the shot put (20-4¼) and Grandview finished fifth in the 3,200 relay (9:41.85).
In Division V boys, Fisher Catholic’s Landen Funk, Roman Funk, Reece Hagy and Leo Hampshire finished seventh in the 3,200 relay (8:11.39).
(This story has been updated with new information.)
High school sports reporter Frank DiRenna can be reached at fdirenna@dispatch.com and at @DispatchFrank on X.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Which central Ohio athletes won titles on Day 2 of OHSAA state track?
Reporting by Frank DiRenna, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
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By Frank DiRenna, Columbus Dispatch | USA TODAY Network
