COLUMBUS: The No. 1 spot on the podium to recognize the top Division II 800-meter relay team on Saturday belonged to St. Vincent-St. Mary for the second year in a row.
Sophomore Russell Cooper, junior Leonard Younger and seniors Malik Wooldridge and DeAmonte’ King combined to clock a 1:27.40 at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.
“I trust my guys tremendously and I knew they were going to help me,” Copper said on a hot and sunny day during the 110th annual boys state track and field meet. “They delivered like they did last year.”
The 800 relay state title was the second in a row for Younger, Wooldridge and King, who placed first last year with then-senior Gonzolo Diago.
“I was in the same position as Russell last year, and these guys helped me get used to this and acclimated to the game,” Younger said.
Wooldridge, a University of Akron football recruit, called the victory “bittersweet” because it was his final high school race.
“We were hoping for great weather and we got the great weather and we delivered.”
Said King: “This is very special because of what we have been through this year with the bad weather, the injuries and for people like Russell to step up and fill some big shoes that [senior] Myles Williams has. Myles pulled a hamstring at the district meet.”
King, a four-year letterman for Irish coach Dan Lancianese, also took second in the 400 meters with a time of 47.34 seconds. King is headed to the University of Toledo to play football.
CVCA placed second in the Division II 800 relay with sophomore Tre Tucker, senior Austin Eck, sophomore Jay Patsch and senior Trey Carlisle posting a time of 1:28.13.
Woodridge senior Jacob Mally, a Kent State recruit, placed second in the Division II 110 hurdles (14.58), but a lower back injury limited him in the high jump and forced him to scratch from the 300 hurdles.
“I wanted to go out on top, but I left everything I had here and tried as hard as I could,” Mally said. “Everything happens for a reason. I am glad I got to run here three years.”
Woodridge senior Max Starvaggi took second in the Division II 800 (1:54.68).
“I will remember the last 100 meters and how hard I was pushing myself,” said Starvaggi, who plans to attend Ohio State. “I am glad I made it here, and the memories with my team I will remember forever.”
In Division I, North Canton Hoover senior Matt Peare won the pole vault title at 15-8 and GlenOak junior Andrew White placed first in the discus at 182-2.
“I just tried to be confident and calm, listen to my coaches and what they have to say and keep to my technique,” White said. “I was fortunate to get a good throw on my second throw that carried me to the finals, and then in the finals I made the winning throw. ... I am thankful for the support from my teammates, my family and my coach, Ben Hughes.”
Medina senior Jacob Wickey took second in the Division I discus (178-2).
Marlington senior Lane Knoch finished third in both the 110 hurdles (14.12) and the 300 hurdles (37.76) in Division I.
Firestone junior Darshun Williams placed fifth in the Division I 300 hurdles (38.08).
“I was aiming for first, but things happened,” Williams said. “Overall, I’m happy.”
North senior Dominic Jones finished sixth in the Division I 110 hurdles (14.20).
“This is a pretty good accomplishment for me,” said Jones, a Lake Erie College recruit. “I train a lot in the cafeteria with three hurdles. Three hurdles helped get me to sixth in the state and I am pretty proud of that.”
Jones also trains outside at Lane Field and at UA when weather allows.
GlenOak senior Dai’Quan Johnson and Canton McKinley senior Deshawn White each cleared 6-6 in the Division I high jump along with three others, but based on fewer misses Johnson took fifth and White was seventh.
Brunswick senior Andre Bollam-Godbott, an Akron recruit, was fifth in the 1,600 (4:10.59), and Copley senior Cam Davis crossed seventh in the 100 (10.91).
In Division III, East Canton won the team title, and Zach McClaskey, Nathaniel Suntheimer, James McCullough and Josh Conrad won the 1,600 relay (3:21.53).
Smithville junior Cole Smith won the Division III 110 hurdles title in 14.20.
Wooster freshman seated division athlete Evan Heller was second in the 800 (2:38.49), third in the 100 (19.13) and third in the 400 (1:14.62).