Springfield races to sixth overall in GWOC championships

Dyier Smith has separated himself from the rest of the area in the 110-meter high hurdles. But the Springfield High School junior can’t shake a bad habit. If it’s a barrier that’s anchored in front of him, there’s a good chance Smith will smack it.

"I've just got to work on not hitting as many hurdles," said Smith, who matched his career low with a 14.44 in winning the highs during Friday's Greater Western Ohio Conference track and field overall championships at Memorial Stadium on Friday. "I don't know how many I hit, but I really hit the last two."

Smith, juniors Quincy Scott and Jacob Yost and sophomore Mike Brown were clutch for the Wildcats, accounting for most of the team’s 50 points. That vaulted Springfield to sixth overall among the 20 conference teams.

QUINCY SCOTT: Takes his place among Springfield’s finest

Beavercreek’s boys and Troy’s girls were divisional, conference and overall team championships. It was the first boys conference title for Beavercreek since 1990.

Girls divisional team champions were Centerville (GWOC National East), Northmont (National West), Trotwood-Madison (American South) and Troy (American North).

Boys divisional team champions were Beavercreek (GWOC East), Miamisburg (West), Trotwood (South) and Troy (North). Most of the divisional team titles were secured after Wednesday's divisional meet, but weren't official until after Friday's remaining 800 and 3,200 boys and girls races.

All of Wednesday’s divisional winners and the next best six performers advanced to Friday’s championships. It was the final regular-season event. The postseason begins with next week’s Division I, II and III district meets at various sites. The top four district placers qualify for the following week’s regional.

Scott was the busiest, posting three seconds and a third. He strained a hip in the long jump and took just two jumps, finishing with a runner-up leap of 21 feet 6 inches, nearly a foot less than he flew on Wednesday. He also was second in the 100 (10.98), and ran on the runner-up 4x100 relay (43.16) and third-place 4x200 relay (1:31.76).

“I’m going to get my hip taken care of and then it’s on to the district,” said Scott.

Brown ran on both relays as did Smith after failing to advance in the 300 hurdles. Also on the 4x200 relay was Diante Lesperance.

“It shows there’s more room for improvement and we have to go harder in practice,” said Brown, like Smith and Scott a key Wildcats football member. “We’re going to stay hungry and be humble and just continue to grind.”

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