TROY – Like most coaches at regionals, Spencerville head coach Tim Wilson wanted to get more of his athletes to state, but the Bearcat mentor was still grinning ear-to-ear after his team finished runner-up at the Division III Regional track meet Friday.
Spencerville finished with 33 overall points, second to Mechanicsburg with 36 points.
“Overall I am real pleased with what we did today and how we performed,” Wilson said. “Once the conference meet is over we make it a goal to get as many people to state.”
Headlining the Bearcats was Evan Pugh. The senior thrower, who had already qualified for state in the discus on Wednesday, took home second place in the shot put with a top throw of 51-feet-9-inches.
“I didn’t throw my best but I am going to try and get that next week,” Pugh said. “I’m happy that I am going down to state again. I am blessed for the opportunity.”
Joining Pugh on the boy’s side will be the 800 meter relay team of Zach Goecke, Christ Picker, Calvin Wilson and Gary Schrolucke. The foursome ran to a second place performance with a time of 1:32.08.
On the girl’s side, Bearcat Gabrielle Goecke finished third overall in the pole vault as she cleared the bar with a school record of 10-feet-8-inches.
Making a return trip to state in two events is Lincolnview’s Hunter Blankemeyer. The senior Lancer took top honors in the 110 meter hurdles and then placed third in the 300 meter hurdles.
“Last year I got second so this is kind of a motivation to be a champion this year,” said Blankemeyer who admitted he just wanted to qualify in the 300.
Ottoville’s Brendan Siefker continues his impressive career with wins in the 1,600 meter and 3,200 meter runs. For the girls, Ottoville’s Alicia Honiford was first in the 100 meter hurdles.
Fort Recovery’s Roby LeFevre took top honors in the 100 meter dash and Fort Jennings’ Kyle Maag was first in the 800 meter run.
One team that is quite familiar with sending people to state will be Minster after they captured the regional title on the girls side.
Minster, which won with 82 overall points, took first in all four relays to help them garner the first place regional trophy. The Wildcats also got top four finishes from freshman Kaitlynn Albers, who finished fourth in the 1,600 meter run and Kaci Barhorst, a senior who took third in the 3,200 meter run. In the field events, Jordyn Heitbrink was second in the high jump and teammate Savanah Luthman also finished second in the shot put. Freshman Madeline Magoto was third in the 800 meter run.
“I was really excited about our relays and all four getting first. I am really happy about that,” said Minster head coach Jessie Magoto, “I just happy to be taking a bunch of people there and seeing what we can do.”
Lima Central Catholic’s Emily Sreenen will also be making her way back to state as the sophomore finished runner-up in both the 1,600 and 3,200 meter runs to Chloe Flora of Botkins.
Also making a return appearance in state is Lima Temple Christian’s Madison Yingst. The junior Pioneer, who had missed out on making state in the 100 meter hurdles, came back strong in the 300 meter hurdles to take third place with a personal best of 46.29.
“I just had a bad race and the wind against me and I am not very good at running against the wind,” said Yingst about her run in the 100. “I pr’d and finished third in the 300 meter run so I am really happy about it. “I had a bad start but a pretty good finish.”
.neFileBlock {
margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.neFileBlock p {
margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px;
}
.neFileBlock .neFile {
border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa;
padding-bottom: 5px;
padding-top: 10px;
}
.neFileBlock .neCaption {
font-size: 85%;
}
