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Area prep athletes shine at state, winning 12 events

Devon Snack of Brunswick and Danny Neff of Vandalia Butler compete in the 800 meters during the Ohio state track and field championships on Saturday, June 6, at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium in Columbus. Neff won state titles in the 800 (1:51.36) and 1,600 (4:10.57).

Staff photo by Barbara J. Perenic Devon Snack of Brunswick and Danny Neff of Vandalia Butler compete in the 800 meters during the Ohio state track and field championships on Saturday, June 6, at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium in Columbus. Neff won state titles in the 800 (1:51.36) and 1,600 (4:10.57).

ENLARGE PHOTO

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By Marc Pendleton, Staff Writer Updated 7:25 PM Monday, June 8, 2009

COLUMBUS — When the smoke on the track finally cleared for good, area athletes had won 12 events in the 102nd and 35th annual state track and field meet at OSU’s Jesse Owens Stadium.

Here’s a look at the Miami Valley’s best.

Division I boys

• Danny Neff, Vandalia Butler; 1,600 meters (4:10.57) and 800 (1:51.36).

The area’s lone double winner. The senior drew national attention after winning the state 1,600 last year and running with the nation’s best in the summer. Ran a 4:09 mile earlier this season at Arcadia, Calif., and delivered big time at state, adding a two-lap title.

Equipped with great finishing speed, Neff has never run a fresh 800 ... until this coming weekend in the first of several high-profile summer national meets. Joins ’07 grad Jimmy Pacifico (shot put) as a Butler two-time champ.

Rank Neff among the state’s all-time best in middle distance. In comparison, Middletown’s Jeff See was the last to sweep these D-I events in ’05 (4:11.20 and 1:51.18). Neff will run for the University of Georgia.

• Julius Ruby, Jordan Paschal, Michael Jordan and William Henry, Trotwood-Madison; 1,600 relay (3:13.32).

The best just keep getting better. Another all-time, all-divisions record, the second straight year for the Rams.

Three consecutive relay state titles and there could be more: all are underclassmen.

• Josh Bass, Springfield; long jump (23-2½).

This marks the school’s first state championship since North and South merged. Was consistently among the state leaders all spring and was clutch in the biggest meets.

Shouldn’t be the last time to hear from Bass: he’s a sophomore.

• Kevin Leland, Greenville; pole vault (15-9).

Set a D-I state record of 16-1 in the regional. Stalled at 15-6 at state, adjusted his takeoff and made it on his third try. Then he delivered the winning jump.

The Green Wave’s first track champion.

Division II boys

• Nathan Davis, Stivers; high jump (6-7).

A great example of a basketball high-flier who took those incredible hops to the oval. He’s Stivers’ first T&F champion in the modern era of the performing arts school and the highest ranking state placer since Frankie Sanders led the Tigers to second in the Class AA hoops championships in the mid-’70s.

Headed to Heidelberg College to play basketball and jump.

Division III boys

• Tom Gorman, Mitch Pitsenbarger, Keith Schlater, Damian Winner, Versailles; 1,600 relay (3:22.97).

The Tigers’ girls hogged most of the pub, but this foursome also put its names in the school’s record book. And they could go lower next year: Like T-M, all four are underclassmen.

Division II girls

• Ashley Rodgers, Olivia Albers, Rebecca Esselstein, Catherine Crisler, Alter; 3,200 relay (9:17.10).

The Knights’ great girls distance program is well documented, and these are four reasons why. A school record — which is noteworthy for this program — and their second state title in this event in three years. Only Crisler graduates.

Division III girls

• Mary Prakel, Kristen Schulte, Tammy Berger, Mindy Henry, Versailles; 3,200 relay (9:17.92).

This win started the Tigers off strong on Day 1 and helped stake them to the team lead at the end of the first day. They wound up second behind Gates Mills Gilmour Academy.

• Kylie Kopp, Bethel; long jump (17-11¼).

The last of a bumper crop of outstanding siblings for the Bees, Kylie followed three brothers, all of whom excelled in state events. She joins that crowd.

Also a placer in the 100 hurdles, she’ll expand her abilities at Wright State University as a heptathlete.

• Laura Gehret, Anna; high jump (5-7).

The only thing tougher than winning a state title is defending that title. The Miami University T&F recruit overcame a midseason foot injury to do just that.

• Christine Borchers, Versailles; shot put (44-0¼).

Will attend the University of Dayton, as the Flyers have tapped into the MAC for another recruit who can deliver on the grandest stage. Also was fifth in the discus.

Contact this reporter at  (937) 225-2381 or  

mpendleton@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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