Host Archbishop Hoban won the boys and girls team track and field titles Friday night in the sixth annual Michael Beaven Invitational.
The Knights topped a field that included 11 boys teams and 10 girls teams in an event named for Beaven, a longtime coach at Hoban and Firestone prior to his passing in 2005.
“We had a lot of guys step up tonight in races,” Hoban boys coach Tom O’Neil said. “They haven’t been running all year and answered the bell. It was a true team effort.”
Hoban girls coach Eddie Hewitt described the evening as “a great outcome” for his team, which scored points in 16 of the 17 events.
“This is my second season as the girls head coach and I’m so proud of our girls, and blessed to be a part of the Hoban family,” Hewitt said.
Hoban topped the girls standings with 140 points and the boys standings with 129 points.
Firestone junior Darshun Williams and Shaker Heights junior Sophie Carrier earned MVP honors in the meet that concluded in the rain.
Williams won the 300 hurdles in a time of 39.34, and helped the Falcons win the 800 relay in 1:30.9 and the 400 relay in 43.38. Justin Moore, Joshua Mitchell and Kevon Louis joined Williams in the 800 relay; and Louis, Moore and Kay-El Floyd took part in the 400 relay with Williams.
“I prepare myself for anything,” Williams said. “The rain didn’t really bother me. I just try to come out and do my best in any weather. I usually run better when it is warm, but you have to push yourself through the elements and try your best.”
Carrier won the 1,600 in 5:05.38 and the 800 in 2:25.4. Sarah Schneider of Shaker Heights also won two events (10-0 in the pole vault and 15-8 in the long jump).
Shaker Heights (98 points), Firestone (97) and Buchtel (92) rounded out the top four teams on the girls side. The boys side featured Shaker Heights (104), Buchtel (72) and Firestone (58) second through fourth.
Hoban seniors Mitchell Kozik (3,200, 10:11.5) and Dylan Radik (pole vault, 12-9) both placed first in an event.
The Knights also won the 3,200 relay with Jack Skinner, Matt Fiume, Dominic Brink and Parker Fisher clocking a 8:45.22.
Buchtel sophomore Kirkland Robins won the 100 (10.95) and the 200 (23.09). Other area boys winners in an individual event were North’s Dominic Jones (110 hurdles, 14.92); Buchtel’s James Newell (shot put, 42-7) and Buchtel’s Shawn Cooper (discus, 129-8).
Hoban won three individual girls events courtesy of junior Jenna Otterman (100 hurdles, 15.98), senior Angela Rizzo (300 hurdles, 50.60) and junior K’Maira Carson (shot put, 35-10). The Knights also placed first in the 1,600 relay with Janay Bass, Megan Hutson, Emily Kuder and Kourtney Dallas-Robinson clocking a 4:09.52.
Firestone teammates Ciara Gisstand (100, 12.72) and Ta’mesha Chapman (high jump, 4-8) both won an event, and so did Buchtel teammates Rayannah Torrence (400, 58.85) and Dyamond Myers (200, 25.85).
Buchtel also triumphed in two girls relays, the 800 (1:43.39) and the 400 (50.16). Myers and Torrence joined London Green and Shayanna Bratcher on the 800 relay; and the 400 relay unit consisted of Myers, Green, Bratcher and Drew Oliver.
Hoban’s boys and girls topped St. Vincent-St. Mary in a dual meet earlier this week. Hoban’s boys team also won an invitational at St. Thomas Aquinas this season, and the Knights girls also won invitationals at Western Reserve Academy and Trinity.
Read the #ABJVarsity high school blog at www.ohio.com/preps.