“It’s amazing to realize how different it was then, the way he trained and how I train now,” Washington said. “He grew up in West Alex, which is really hilly. He also ran cross country, so all he did was run up and down hills. That really worked out his legs”
Washington set a school record in the 100 (11.10) and tied a school record in the 200 (22.87). He was part of the 4x100 relay that also set a school record (43.65).
Like his great grandpa, Washington also is an accomplished long jumper with a best of 20 feet, 11 inches, but “I had a really bad district meet. … The long jump is still in the picture.”
Lantis was inducted into the Preble County athletic hall of fame last year. “I’ve seen his medals and cleats and stuff,” Washington said. “It’s pretty neat.”
The season-ending state track meet is Friday and Saturday at Ohio State University’s Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium in Columbus.
• Anchor Abby Creech of Twin Valley South collapsed near the end and crawled across the finish line to place fourth in the 4x800 relay (9:40.04) in the D-III regional at Troy to join the Panthers’ boys in the event at this week’s D-III state meet. The TV South boys were regional champs (8:14.76). Beavercreek was the only other area program to advance both its boys and girls teams to state in the 4x800 relay, making it out in D-I.
• Colin DeBord of Centerville announced last week on Twitter that he has verbally committed to play football at Bowling Green. He reportedly chose BG over Mid-American Conference rivals Ohio and Ball State.
A Centerville native, the 6-foot-1, 180-pound junior, DeBord returned to Centerville with his family last year after four years at Texas. He likely would have been the Elks’ quarterback had Jacob Harrison not transferred to Centerville from Chaminade Julienne for his season senior. Instead, DeBord played receiver, a position he’s also expected to play for the Falcons.
As a junior DeBord had 25 catches for 440 yards (17.6) and seven touchdowns. He should be in the running as the Elks’ starting QB this coming season. He also is a key member of Centerville’s boys track and field team that should be in contention for a Division I state title this week.
• Jefferson grad Evan Sawyer has been approved as the Broncos’ head football coach. He succeeds Chris Roark, who was hired as the head football coach at Fairborn after Roy Thobe wasn’t renewed as the Skyhawks’ head coach.
Sawyer played quarterback and Morehead and also excelled for the Dayton Silverbacks indoor arena football team. An independent, Jefferson was 3-7 last season.
• Greenville (26-7) was ousted by Ross in a D-II regional softball final, but the Green Wave extended a great winning tradition under head coach Jerrod Newland. Greenville has won nine district titles in the last 11 seasons. The Green Wave also have won at least 25 games in all but one of Newland’s 14 seasons.
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