COLUMBUS — Dunbar High School had just roasted the final event to win an elusive boys state track and field title.

It had been a long time since the proud program had done such a thing. There had been six titles, but none since 1990.

It was time.

“It means more for us to win it for our coach,” senior sprinter Eric Blair said in a salute to Sidney Booker.

“He’s been trying to win a state title for who knows how long.”

That’s how track and field success is measured by Wolverine standards. Anything less than first is fuel for the next season. That Dunbar had reeled off multiple state basketball titles in the last decade only compounded the wishful oval thinking.

“I’ve been here enough to know that you’ve got to hope for the best but expect anything,” Booker said.

Those are words to coach by.

Playing catch-up throughout the day with Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary, Dunbar finally pushed past the Irish with a record-setting effort in the Division II meet-ending 1,600-meter relay at Ohio State University’s Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.

Dunbar trailed St. V 46-39 with that race remaining. Dunbar needed to win or place second. The Wolverines answered that challenge by blowing out a state meet record 3:15.92.

That the Wolves were pushed by runner-up Thurgood Marshall made it even better.

The 10 points pushed Dunbar’s total to 49, three better than St. V. Versailles rode Sam Prakel’s sweep of the 1,600 and 3,200 to place third (33.5), just a half-point better than Marshall.

Dunbar rode former sprint sensations Craig Wallace and Chris Nelloms to state track titles. This time they did it with a stable of depth. The title-clinching relay was their only win.

Senior Michael Ohiembor executed a flawless back flip behind the awards stand while the Wolverines awaited yet another big trophy. “This is a good day in Dunbar history,” he beamed.

Booker won’t admit it, but it’s also a heavy load off his broad shoulders. After 21 years of coaching at Dunbar, he’s part of a grand prize.

“My wife said don’t come home unless I got the gold,” he reflected. “I get to go home.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2381 or mpendleton@DaytonDaily News.com.