×

Area Division II athletes headed to state track meet

ATHENS — All of the invitations have been sent.

The final pieces of the OHSAA State Track and Field Championship came together Saturday afternoon as Division II put the finishing touches on its qualifying.

Several area competitors are on their way to Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium in Columbus for the state meet, which opens Friday on Ohio State’s campus.

The top team finisher on the boys’ side was St. Clairsville. The Red Devils, who are the defending Division II state champion, closed with 39 points, which was good enough for third overall.

All told, the Red Devils will send three individuals and a relay team to the state meet.

St. Clairsville junior Christian Oberdick is headed for his first state meet. He advanced in the 110 high hurdles by placing second with a solid 15.28 clocking.

Sophomore Justin Heatherington will also be heading to his first state meet in the high jump. He earned the fourth and final invitation after clearing 6-4.

The Red Devils’ 4×2 team qualified by finishing third in a time of 1:31.14. The team is comprised of Zach Bigelow, Jordan Vincent, DeVon Harris and Heatherington.

Vincent qualified as an individual on Thursday when he won the long jump.

Steubenville’s 4×2 team, which consists of Jaziah Blackwell, Marcus Kelley, Caleb Mitchell and Jorian Jones, took the silver medal in a time of 1:30.65.

Steubenville’s 4×4 squad of Kelley, Marshawn Kelley, Jones and Austen Duggan finished third in 3:27.45 to clinch a berth.

Martins Ferry will once again be represented at the state meet. Senior standout Jacob Bishop — a returning all-Ohioan — qualified in the 1600 meter run for the fourth consecutive season. He finished third in a season-best time of 4:24.81. That is nearly a six-second drop for the Ohio University signee.

ON THE GIRLS SIDE

Indian Creek put forth an impressive showing despite having a relatively small cast of athletes.

The Redskins finished with 40 points, which was good enough for second place overall.

Fueling Creek’s showing was a victory in the 800 meter run by senior standout Madison Smith. The Air Force Academy signee captured the two-lap race by posting an impressive 2:17.79.

Close on her heels was junior teammate Kelsey Lewis, who crossed the finish line at 2:18.43.

A short-time later, those two Redskins standouts joined forces with Amayiah Dudley and Sloane Lewis to claim the 4×4 in a blistering time of 4:00.89, which established a new regional record. Actually, the Redskins broke their own mark from Thursday.

Steubenville sophomore T’Kayla Kelley won the 100 meter dash to earn a trip to Columbus. She broke the tape in 12.76. She later advanced in the 200 thanks to a runner-up finish with a time of 25.57.

Big Red picked up a victory in the 4×1, too. The team of Jessica Savage, Knisha Saunders, Kira Newburn and Kelley posted a blazing 49.76 to win the title.

Earlier in the meet, the same foursome advanced in the 4×2 as well. En route to finishing third, Steubenville posted a 1:46.16.

St. Clairsville’s 4×1 team of Sydney Freeman, Emily Baire, Paige McGlothlin and Mechenzie Wood posted a 50.25 to take the fourth spot.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

COMMENTS

Starting at $4.73/week.

Subscribe Today