Cross Country Championships
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PREP TRACK AND FIELD
Centerville passes Wayne for regional mark
Boys win 3,200 relay in 7 minutes, 49.58 seconds, break Trotwood's record, advance to the state meet.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
DAYTON — After the first two legs, Wayne High School had a fair lead in the boys 3,200-meter relay. But Centerville's first two runners, challenged by the Warriors as they hadn't been this season, set up the Elks for a strong finish.
Centerville, which finished third in the state last season in the event, set a Division I regional record on Wednesday, May 28, with a time of 7 minutes, 49.58 seconds in advancing to the state meet. Seniors Eli Husfelt and Corey Byron kept the Elks close to Wayne before Shawn Roberts and Robbie Stoecklein boosted the team to a personal best and past Trotwood-Madison's regional record set in 1988.
Extras
No wonder. Stoecklein and Roberts were first and second in last week's 800 district final.
"We got a good challenge from Wayne, which really helped us," said Stoecklein, a senior.
"It's still not a school record," Roberts countered. "But it's our record."
The group hopes to challenge the Centerville best of 7:48.5 at state, but it will run against another record-setting group. Last year, Cleveland Heights set a state record of 7:41.17 — and three of those runners were juniors.
• Wayne senior pole vaulter Tommy Marks missed his first two jumps at his opening height of 13 feet, 6 inches, which brought on some nerves. Fighting a head wind, Marks rallied and won, clearing 14-8.
A first-time regional qualifier, Marks feared his final season would end short of state.
"I was just shooting for the top four," Marks said. "At that point, you just have to be mentally tough."
• When anchor Carly Hamilton took the baton in the girls 3,200 relay, the Springboro freshman was sixth. But the district champion in the 1,600 and 3,200 pushed into second place on the final lap to send the Panthers to state (9:23.83).
Hamilton's final leg, timed at about 2:13 by distance coach Ron Rohrer, was impressive to both spectators and coaches.
"She's very, very seasoned and mature," said Wayne Kemper, the Springboro coach.
The young group — sophomore Katie Kessler, freshman Alex Mahle, junior Erin Ford and Hamilton — shaved 30 seconds off its time throughout the year and seven seconds from just two weeks ago.
Quick hits
• Derricus Purdy, a Trotwood-Madison senior, was the top qualifier in the 100 at 10.64 seconds. Sophomore William Henry (49.10) and senior Donte Lyons (49.79) of Trotwood were the Nos. 2 and 3 qualifiers in the 400.
• Junior Alexis Thomas of Wayne was second in the discus (123-05).
• Bellbrook's Sam Longo, a junior, was second in the boys discus (166-9).
• Miamisburg's Michael Willey was the top qualifier in both the 110 hurdles (14.01) and 300 hurdles (37.86). He was the No. 2 qualifier in the 200 (21.84).
Contact this reporter at 225-7389 or knagel@DaytonDailyNews.com.
