Senior sprinter fuels Dunbar to D-II regional boys championship

Jalani Allen won three individual events and Dunbar posted seven total firsts to run away with the Division II regional track and field boys team championship at Piqua High School on Saturday.

The top four regional placers advance to the season-ending state track and field meets at Ohio State University’s Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium in Columbus on Friday and Saturday.

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The defending boys D-II state indoor and outdoor team champion, Dunbar bested runner-up Versailles 81-64 to win another regional title. Central Buckeye Conference member Bellefontaine won the girls team championship, 54-44 over Van Wert.

Allen positioned himself as a state champion contender by winning the regional 110-meter high hurdles (14.49), the 100 (11.09) and the 200 (22.30). Wolverines senior Nigel Beal also captured first in the 300 hurdles (38.60).

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Dunbar also swept all three relays on Saturday, winning the 4x200 (1:28.33), the 4x100 (42.90) and the meet-ending 4x400 (3:19.14). Dunbar won its 10th outdoor team title in program history last season despite not winning an event at state. The Wolverines appear to be in great position to contend for another title.

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Other area boys winners were Thurgood Marshall senior Jaylen Zachery in the 400 (48.28), Versailles senior Joe Spitzer in the 1600 (4:19.64), defending D-II state champ and sophomore Robie Glass of Springfield Shawnee in the high jump (6-5) and Northwestern junior Adam Riedinger, who added a shot put title (58-1.25) to the discus title he won on Thursday.

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Alter senior Perri Bockrath extended an outstanding Knights girls career by sweeping 1600 (5:06.56) and 3200 (11:21.12).

Other area girls individual winners were Valley View junior Anna Roach in the 200 (25.91) and Greenon sophomore Delaney Benedict in the 400 (57.56).

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The Dunbar girls bested the 4x100 (49.46) and 4x400 (3:59.69) relay fields. Valley View won the girls 4x200 relay (1:43.32).

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The Division I (Wayne) and Division III (Troy) regionals concluded on Friday.

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