Justin Braun, Paige Floriea Sweep Division 1 Sprints

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

The return of the Ohio High School State Track and Field Championships – June 4-5 – did not include the use of the historic Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium this year due to COVID-19. But the two-day meet, held at three different sites, still brought a competitive and exciting environment with many outstanding performances.  

Division I – Hilliard Darby High

It was the Justin Braun Show on Saturday at the Division I meet. The speedy junior from Westerville Central tied the state meet record (Blake Heriot, Gahanna Lincoln, 2009) in the 100 (10.47), won the 200 (21.13) and claimed the 400 in a US#1 time of 46.14.

Also on the track, Nathan Mountain of St. Xavier won the 1,600 title in a US#9 time of 4:06.83.

Turpin’s Paul Signorelli led the way in the field, clearing 16 feet, 10 inches to win the pole vault, a personal best and US#6. 

His Turpin teammate, Gabe Hickman, picked up a personal best and US#10 throw of 64-06.25 to win the boys shot put on Friday, outdueling nationally-ranked thrower Tomas Rimac of Brunswick, who finished second with a throw of 61-6. Rimac came back on Saturday to win the disc title with a throw of 175-11.

In the team race, the Pickerington North boys claimed the DI title with 43 points. Westerville Central was runner-up with 30 points.

It was a complete team effort for the Mentor girls as they dominated the Division I meet, scoring 70 points to win the program’s first state DI title. Runner-up was Gahanna Lincoln with 36 points. 

Mentor’s Paige Floriea led the way with four gold medals, winning the 100 (11.93), 200 (24.17), 400 (US#25 54.25) and added a long jump title, soaring 19-10.25. She currently holds the No. 3 mark in the country in the long jump (20-4.75). 

On Friday, Mentor started off the meet with a victory in the 4x800, winning with a school record and US#5  9:04.73. 

Other highlights included Emma Bucher of Centerville winning the 1,600 in a US#14 time of 4:45.89. Avon’s Molly Radcliffe claimed the Division I discus title with a throw of 144-4 and the shot put (46-7.50). 

Division II – Pickerington North High School 

It was a tight finish in the Division II boys team race as Woodridge edged out Glenville, 43-42.50 for the state title. Woodridge senior Ryan Champa led the way with a victory in the 3,200 (9:31.03), was part of the winning 4x800 (7:52.40) and finished fourth in the 1,600 (4:22.33). Teammate Zayd Elkurd won the 800 (1:55.23) and was also part of the 4x800.

Lane Graham of West Holmes swept the throws, winning the shot put (59-9.25) and discus (180-5).

In girls action, Oakwood won the DII title with 53 points, dominating the distance events. Oakwood started the meet off with a victory in the 4x800 on Friday, winning in 9:14.98. Junior Grace Hartman won the 1,600 (4:52.08) and 3,200 (10:48.50). Teammate Bella Butler was second in the 1,600 (4:55.63) and third in the 800 (2:14.39), both were part of the 4x800. 

Other highlights included Niles McKinley’s Chante Clinkscale winning the 100 (11.86) and 200 (24.30). Liberty-Benton’s Izzy Granger won the Division II discus title with a mark of 146-1, while teammate Alexis Rickenbacher claimed the pole vault title, clearing 12-6.

Division III - Westerville North 

The Minster boys ended the Division III meet with first-place finish in the 4x400 relay, clocking 3:22.12 to score 10 points and win the team title with a total of 41 points. McDonald was a close runner-up with 39 points. 

On the track, Belpre’s Eli Fullerton won the 3,200 (9:27.14) and 1,600 (4:16.07) 

The West Liberty-Salem girls were able to defend their title from 2019 scoring 52 points to win the Division III trophy. 

Catholic Central’s (Springfield) Mallory Mullen was one of the stars of the Division III meet, winning the high jump in a state and divisional record and personal best of 5-10.25. The junior’s clearance is US#5. 

Margaretta’s Kenna Stimmel bettered her own state pole vault record, clearing 13-6. She is currently ranked No. 4 in the U.S. with a mark of 14-1. Stimmel also won the 100 (12.19). 

Seven Hills junior Mackenzie Hartman won the 100 hurdles  (14.51) and 300 hurdles (42.93). 

Madeira’s Yvonne Colson won the discus title with a throw of 144-2 and finished third in the shot put (40-1.50).

Team Champions

Division 1 – Pickerington North boys 43 points, Mentor girls 70 points - RESULTS

Division 2 – Woodridge boys 43 points, Oakwood girls 53 points - RESULTS

Division 3 – Minster  boys 41 points, West Liberty-Salem girls 52 points - RESULTS