Boosted by record-setting performances from two state qualifiers, the Fairfield Union boys track and field team won its second consecutive Division II regional championship and fourth overall May 31 at Muskingum University.
The Falcons (76) finished ahead of runner-up Gnadenhutten Indian Valley (65) in Region 7.
The Fairfield Union girls finished third (60) behind champion Athens (73).
The top four finishers in each event, along with two at-large berths from throughout the state, advanced to state June 6 and 7 at Ohio State’s Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.
“Our guys and girls really rowed the boat (May 31) with a big team effort,” coach Rob Myers said. “Even athletes who didn’t score were fighting until the end, trying to find a point, and when they were done, they stayed to cheer on their teammates until the end. That’s what team is about. That’s what makes me proud to be their coach.”
Chayse Lipscomb led the boys, setting regional records in the 110-meter hurdles (13.75 seconds) and 300 hurdles (36.68). Andrew Walton did the same in the 1,600, winning in a regional record 4:12.9.
Katherine Welsh, Kyla Gasser, Kaeda Miller and Averey Cottrill helped lead the girls by winning the 800 relay (1:46.08).
In the Division II, Region 6 meet at Lexington, Beechcroft freshman Brittany Douglas won the 100 hurdles (15.3) and 300 hurdles (44.34) and River Valley freshman Finley Blevins won the pole vault (11 feet, 4 inches).
In the boys meet, Marion-Franklin’s Dawayne Galloway won the 100 (10.77).
In the Division II, Region 8 meet at Piqua, Ready’s Mya Riggins won the girls 100 hurdles (14.58).
In the boys meet, Mount Gilead’s Will Baker won the 1,600 (4:25.67) and finished second in the 3,200 (9:22.49).
London’s Jahvaughn Graham, Blake Reay, June Turner and Stevie Gravely won the 400 relay (42.81) and teammate Cameron Carn won the 800 (1:54.96).
Central Ohio state qualifiers from OHSAA Division II regional track meets held May 31
Lexington
Boys
100
1. Dawayne Galloway, Marion-Franklin (10.77)
400
4. Gabe Davis-Ray, Columbus Academy (49.46)
300 hurdles
3. Nathan Burkey, Northridge (38.83)
Girls
100 hurdles
1. Brittany Douglas, Beechcroft (15.3)
1,600
3. Kalyn Greiner, Jonathan Alder (5:04.72)
400 relay
4. Beechcroft: Aleisha Ivey, Brittany Douglas, Celeste Hutchinson and Sha’mya Dukes (49.32)
300 hurdles
1. Brittanny Douglas, Beechcroft (44.34)
Discus
3. Kynzie Green, Highland (124-6)
Pole vault
1. Finley Blevins, River Valley (11-4)
4. Eva Moran, River Valley (10-8)
Muskingum
Boys
110 hurdles
1. Chayse Lipscomb, Fairfield Union (regional-record 13.75)
1,600
1. Andrew Walton, Fairfield Union (regional-record 4:12.9)
300 hurdles
1. Chayse Lipscomb, Fairfield Union (regional-record 36.68)
3,200
2. Nathan Phillips, Fairfield Union (9:25.22)
3. Andrew Walton, Fairfield Union (9:29.86)
Girls
800 relay
1. Fairfield Union: Katherine Welsh, Kyla Gasser, Kaeda Miller and Averey Cottrill (1:45.08)
300 hurdles
3. Averey Cottrill, Fairfield Union (45.08)
3,200
2. Vera Henderly, Fairfield Union (11:11.39)
3. Tyler Teal, Fairfield Union (11:14.27)
1,600 relay
2. Fairfield Union: Katherine Welsh, Averey Cottrill, Kyla Gasser and Abigail Pike (4:03.21)
Long jump
1. Sydney Lattimer, Circleville (17-9 ¼)
Discus
4. Maggie Wilson, Logan Elm (118-2)
Piqua
Boys
110 hurdles
3. Granderson Poindexter, Hartley (14.58)
100
4. Donovan Delph, Eastmoor (10.97)
800 relay
2. Hartley: Nicholas Thompson, Austin Sharp, Jahmari Stokes and Jayden McFarlane (1:28.37)
1,600
1. Will Baker, Mount Gilead (4:25.67)
400 relay
1. London: Jahvaughn Graham, Blake Reay, June Turner and Stevie Gravely (42.81)
400
4. Jackson Moxley, Hartley (50.86)
800
1. Cameron Carn, London (1:54.96)
200
4. Steve Gravely, London (22.14)
3,200
2. Will Baker, Mount Gilead (8:22.49)
1,600 relay
2. London: Cameron Carn, LaTrell Jackson, Landon McQuirt and Stevie Gravely (3:24.69)
Shot put
4. Amare Kilgore, Eastmoor (52-4)
Girls
100 hurdles
1. Mya Riggins, Ready (14.58)
800 relay
2. Fairbanks: Alyssa Tobe, Charley Shope, Ally Gearheart and Alexis Wojcehowicz (1:45.16)
400 relay
2. Ready: Jayle Dawson, Lia Wahl, Lucy Foley and Lesa Gardner (50.34)
4. Fairbanks: Alyssa Tobe, Ally Gearheart, Sydney Nicol and Charley Shope (50.42)
400
4. Natalie Ryan, Worthington Christian (59.3)
200
2. Aliyah Brock, Eastmoor (25.65)
Pole vault
2. Lillian Finke, London (11-8)
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: OHSAA track: Which central Ohio athletes advanced to state on Day 2 of DII regional?
Reporting by Frank DiRenna, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
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