MACEDONIA: The Suburban League track and field championship concluded Thursday with hardware for Highland and host Nordonia and Wadsworth keeping streaks intact.
Highland swept the girls and boys titles in the American Conference, and the National Conference featured a Nordonia girls team that won its fifth league title in a row and a Wadsworth boys squad that won its third league crown in a row.
“This is pretty cool,” Nordonia girls coach Scott Barwidi said. “Our girls haven’t lost a track and field meet in about 5½ years. That is a testament to how hard they work and what they are willing to do to be great.”
Nordonia’s Faith Banks won the National girls 400 meters in 55.89 seconds and the 200 in 25.22. Teammate Carmen Licht won the 800 in 2:17.55 and joined Lizzy Gurko, Kayla Vasarhelyi and Gina Eterovich to win the 3,200 relay in 9:30.32.
Elsewhere in the National girls meet, Brecksville’s Hannah Bach won the 100 hurdles (14.97) and 300 hurdles (45.75), and Twinsburg’s Nya Bussey was first in three events — the 100 (12.21) and the 800 (1:42.93) and 400 (50.74) relays. Alyssa Willis ran a leg on both relays, Mariah Myles and Nia Robinson were on the 800 relay, and Briona McDonald and Mya Harvey were also on the 400 relay.
The Tigers also placed first in the 1,600 relay with Myles, Julia Henderson, Camari Griffin and Robinson (3:58.28).
Annamarie DiGiacobbe (1,600, 5:12.36) and Kaylee Kenne (3,200, 11:02.94) each won an individual American event to lead the Highland girls. The Hornets also got victories in the 1,600 relay with Alexa Sposit, Amanda Orban, Hannah Webb and Emily Lyon (4:08.20).
“I am really proud of the kids,” Highland girls coach Paul Lushes said. “Copley is a lot stronger this year and I didn’t know if we could beat them, but the girls really stepped up and I am proud of the way they competed.”
Copley’s Lauren Taylor won the American girls 100 (12.31) and contributed to the winning 400 (49.22) and 800 (1:44.98) relays. Zamari Stone, Cortni Arp and Morgan Buchanan joined Taylor in the 800 relay, and Haley Clark, Zoey Stone and Buchanan joined Taylor in the 400.
Other top American girls were Tallmadge’s Sara Johnson (200, 25.75, and long jump, 17-10.75) and Kent Roosevelt’s Korrin Spurlock (400, 1:00.33, and 800, 2:24.25).
Highland’s boys won the American title with victories from Vince Manning (1,600, 4:34.18), Nicholas Jadach (800, 1:59.57) and Ethan Gerding (shot put, 49-4).
“The kids did a great job,” Highland boys coach Josh Victor said. “We have had a memorable season. ... We just have a deep, solid team, and have been on a roll.”
Copley’s Cam Davis won the American boys 100 (10.87) and the 200 (22.24). Davis combined with Max Ellison, Drew Ransom and Trae Townes to win the 400 relay (44.82), and Ellison also was first in the long jump (19-11).
Kent Roosevelt’s Ryan Grant won the American boys 400 (51.19), and was on the winning 800 (1:31.06) and 1,600 (3:31.59) relays. Kelvon Blackmon and Desmond Scott were on both relays, Jeron Browder was on the 800 relay and Matthew Perison was on the 1,600 relay. Perison also won the 300 hurdles in 40.23.
Alex Jones and Nick Miller led Wadsworth to the boys National crown. Jones won the 100 (11.04) and 200 (22.35), and Miller won the 1,600 (4:16.13) and 800 (1:53.99).
The Wadsworth quartet of Miller, Matt Galek, Kyle Hibinger and Gabe Szalay won the 3,200 relay (7:47.91), and the Grizzlies team of Galek, Miller, Szalay and Josiah Sovine crossed first in the final event, the 1,600 relay (3:26.98).
“I am incredibly impressed with my guys because we lost five state qualifiers, a regional qualifier, and to come back and do this again is awesome,” Wadsworth boys coach Chris Beery said.
Nordonia’s Spencer Coppedge won the 110 hurdles (14.72), the 300 hurdles (39.54) and joined Andrew Wahl, Bernard Russ and Samuel Hopes to win the 800 relay (1:30.37). Wahl also won the 400 (50.04), and Nordonia’s Raymond Kovalchick won the pole vault (13-0).
Twinsburg’s Sean Silas won the National boys long jump (21-1½), and was on the top 400 relay (43.66) with Gilbert Campbell, Khalid Thornton and Kaleb East. Twinsburg’s Etaijen Easter contributed a first place in the high jump (6-2).
Michael Beaven can be reached at 330-996-3829 or mbeaven@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the #ABJVarsity high school blog at www.ohio.com/preps. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MBeavenABJ.