Bloom returning to Division II regionals

ELIDA - Kenton senior Mallory Bloom always strives to win everytime she takes the track.

However, coming in second place isn't all that bad, either.

Bloom, who will be running track and cross country at Ohio Northern University next year, punched her ticket for her fourth consecutive regional appearance on Friday at the Division II district track and field meet at Elida.

Bloom finished second in both the 1,600-meter (5:35.08) and 3,200-meter (12:02.41) races. Wauseon distance standout Holly Baird won both events. The top four finishers in each event qualified for next weekend's regional meet at Lexington.

Bloom said her goal for this week was simple.

"After last week (Western Buckeye League Meet), I wanted to do a lot better," Bloom said. "(But) I know at this point (of the season), that I just need to get in the top four (finishers) and move on."

 Last spring, Bloom qualified for the state meet in both the 1,600 and 3,200.

"I would really like to get back to state," Bloom said. "If I don't ... I'll still live, though."

In the final team standings, Wauseon took the team title, scoring 137 points. Paulding finished a distant second with 79 points. St. Marys came in third (70), while Bryan finished fourth (64). Elida finished fifth (56). There were 19 schools at the district meet.

Elida's girls took first in the 800 relay (1:50.03), 400 relay (52.05) and 1,600 relay (4:12.40). Sophomore Quanisha McFadden, who was the anchor in all three relays for the Bulldogs, also won the 200 (26.38).

On the boys' side, Napoleon won the team crown, defeating Defiance 134-107. Delta finished third (82), while Van Wert was fourth (58). Ottawa-Glandorf came in fifth (42).

Ottawa-Glandorf's Nolan Croy qualified for regionals in both the 300 hurdles (first, 40.57) and 110 hurdles (second, 14.81).

Croy said his hard work is beginning to pay off.

"My coaches and I have been working on my trail leg," Croy said. "I've been working on that and also getting out quicker at the start."

Croy said there is not much room for error at this level.

"Everybody here (district meet) starts to pick it up a notch," Croy said. "You have to get out (of starting blocks) right off the bat."

Van Wert's boys displayed good balance on Friday. In the sprints, sophomore Sam Tindall finished second in the 100 and fourth in the 200 (23.26). Teammate Kirtis Calvelage was second in the 200 (23.16). Both Tindall and Calvelage were part of the winning 400 relay (44.06).

In the 3,200, Kenton Holliday outkicked Bryan's Tony Plouck down the stretch to notch fourth (10:05.64). The 3,200 relay finished third on Wednesday to advance.

Van Wert coach Mark Collins said his youthful squad has the potential to get some athletes out of the Lexington regional next Saturday.

"This 4-by-1 (400 relay) is the fourth fastest (400 relay) team we've had," Collins said. "I hope we keep getting better."