DaytonDailyNews.com

Jimmie Pacifico came within inches of breaking the Division I state high school shot put record Tuesday at the rain-shortened Warrior Relays at Wayne High School.

The senior from Vandalia Butler High School got off an effort of 69 feet, 81/2 inches. The official state record, according to the Ohio High School Athletic Association Web site is 70-61/4, by Charles Moye of Akron Ellett at the Mansfield Relays in 1987.

Pacifico, the defending state champion in the shot put and discus, had a series of 58-2, 61-71/4, 64-6 and 69-81/2.

"My timing and steps were off the first couple of throws," Pacifico said. "But then everything started to come together. The crowd came over when I was up for my third throw and started chanting and really got into it. That really pumped me up. It was a great atmosphere. Everything was good on the third throw and almost perfect on the fourth. I thought I had it (the record)."

Pacifico's throws came just ahead of rain and lightning, which postponed the meet until next Tuesday. Tickets purchased for the meet will be honored when it resumes.

"One of my goals this year is to hit 73 feet, and I feel like it's reachable," he said. "To get a throw like that in only my third outdoor meet shows me everything we've done (in an offseason training regimen) is paying off."

Pacifico's previous best was 69-3.

He was invited to participate in the Arcadia Invitational this weekend in California. It is one of the biggest high school meets in the country, drawing the nation's best runners, jumpers and throwers.

"I thought about going, but I'm going with our team to the Indiana Relays at Indiana University in Bloomington," he said. "We've got a pretty good team this season, and I want to be part of it, score some points and maybe help us win a big meet."