PICKERINGTON – It took a few seconds for Jacob Buell to put into perspective the accomplishment he and his three teammates for the Newark boys track team achieved May 30.
Buell, juniors Camden Booker and Brayden Dowell and freshman Noah Jackson crossed in a time of 1 minute, 28.24 seconds to take runner-up in the 800-meter relay May 30 during the Division I super regional championships at Pickerington North. The Wildcats bettered their school record less than 48 hours after initially breaking a mark that had stood since 1968.
“Breaking a 50-year-old record is like we’re the best that’s ever been,” Buell said. “It means a lot to come here and represent Newark.”
Buell is not speaking in hyperbole. The Wildcats are achieving unprecedented performances for their program, and it was not entirely expected. They have another opportunity to better themselves after becoming Newark’s first boys sprint relay to qualify for next weekend’s state championships at Ohio State since 1958.
“We just knew we had to get fourth place. These cats took us to second. It’s a good day,” Buell said. “Me and Cam, for our relays, we have always been next to each other and just had good chemistry. (Dowell) used to be a distance runner and became our third- or fourth-best sprinter, and Noah Jackson came out of middle school a hawk. It’s a perfect team.”
The Wildcats are seeded 11th out of 18th heading into the preliminaries on June 6. Dropping under 1:28.00 could help ensure them a spot in the finals.
Newark’s 800 relay will not be alone at state, and they are not the only record-setting Wildcats.
Andrews-Barreau surges to state
Sophomore Odessa Andrews-Barreau lowered her school record in the girls 100 hurdles (14.42), placing fifth and earning one of two at-large berths to state. Andrews-Barreau initially broke the record held by Dwan Shackleford since 1999 in the semifinals.
“I can’t believe I finally did it. I have been wanting that since middle school,” Andrews-Barreau said.
Andrews-Barreau saw a strong freshman season end at the district level. She was waiting for a breakthrough this spring, and she recently reached one with the help of coach Marc Montella.
“I had to switch my legs. My legs had been messing me up,” Andrews-Barreau said. “I switched them, and it felt weird at first. I got 14, so it did wonders. Coach Montella told me. I listened to him because he knows more than I do.”
Junior Emma Ray cleared 10 feet, 8 inches in the pole vault to earn her first trip to state. Ray, who previously competed in the indoor state meet in March, said the atmosphere around the program has helped the Wildcats perform with confidence.
“It’s been great. I just need a little more practice with the bar and just some things I have to tweak, but it’s really awesome,” said Ray, who wants to surpass her best of 11-6. “We can just support each other and be there for them as teammates and sort of like a family.”
Junior Larissa Harper has twice placed at the indoor state meet in the weight throw, but she now will make her first trip outdoors to state. She placed fourth in the discus (104-11).
With the Ohio High School Athletic Association moving from three to five divisions and splitting up the always deep talent pool in central Ohio across two super regionals, Harper said she knew opportunity could be seized. She then watched classmate Mitchell Chavis qualify out of the boys discus on May 28.
“I’m going to be honest: I don’t like to look at everyone’s throws because it psyches me out a little bit,” Harper said. “My coach just told me I was fifth and that I needed to go up one, so we made it happen.”
Freshman Janel Johnson wrapped up an impressive first season at the high school level for the Wildcats, placing seventh in the girls 800 (2:18.38). Sophomore Grant McMullen placed seventh in the boys shot put (45-7½).
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This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Newark track teams add one relay, three more individuals to state list
Reporting by Kurt Snyder, Newark Advocate / Newark Advocate
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
