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PREP TRACK
Willey hits warp speed
Monday, June 09, 2008
COLUMBUS — Miamisburg High School's Michael Willey ran a "perfect race" to successfully defend his Division I 300-meter hurdles state track and field title.
But it was a couple of seconds by Willey that were just as impressive.
Extras
His triple on Saturday, June 7, at OSU's Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium started in the 110 high hurdles. Late in the race he trailed the leaders by plenty. But as the pack listed and shook, Willey went to warp speed.
Taking a cue from his hurdles performance, he did the same thing in the 200.
Seemingly out of contention, he blew past three wobblers in the final strides to place second again.
"I don't know. People have told me I have this little thing in the last 50," said the senior, who's headed to Purdue University to run.
"It's like my little secret weapon."
Miamisburg had another weapon in Greg Roeth. The senior spent all day feeding off Willey's fast vibes, then added a runner-up place in the 3,200.
That allowed the Vikings to amass 34 points, good for third in the team race behind winner Cleveland Heights and runner-up Cincinnati La Salle.
"It's a big boost to see someone that you know come here and compete like that," said Roeth, who's headed to the University of Dayton to run cross country.
"We ran very well. Michael, he's something else."
Willey will team with former Trotwood-Madison blur Zach Logan with the Boilermakers.
• Midway through the D-I 1,600 final, Danny Neff sent a message to himself.
"I put in a lot of work this winter," said the Vandalia Butler junior.
"Halfway through the race I said, you've been running for a long time. You deserve to win this. That's when I started (kicking)."
The result was the fourth individual state title the Aviators have collected in the last three seasons. Jimmie Pacifico piled up a pair of shot put titles and another in the discus in 2006-07. Neff will hope to defend his title in '09 and add another in the 800.
That's what he tried to do Saturday after a gruelling four laps in 4:15.90. But a 52-second opening quarter by the 800 leaders went over like police spikes on the track.
"When I saw that, I thought, oh, my gosh, it's over for me," he said.
"I made a run until 300 (meters) was left and said, you don't got it today."
• At 4:31 p.m. on Saturday, Springfield South's rich athletic history ended.
And the Wildcats went out a winner.
Senior hurdler Cassandra Lloyd saved her best for last, winning the D-I 100 hurdles (14.31). South will merge with North at a new high school this fall.
Contact this writer at 225-2381 or
mpendleton@DaytonDailyNews.com.
