Springfield standout: ‘It’s all about getting to state’

Other than not getting off a legal jump in the Greater Western Ohio Conference meet two weeks ago, Springfield High School senior Quincy Scott had been unbeatable in the long jump.

That changed in the first day of the Division I regional track and field meet at Wayne on Wednesday. The defending D-I state runner-up, Scott sank to third, the first time he hadn’t won this season other than the conference.

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“It’s all about getting to state and the bigger picture,” Scott said. “Next week is when I make my money. It’s just move on to Friday and get ready for state in four events. It’s like a win-lose situation (on Wednesday).”

The top four regional placers advance to next week’s season-ending state track and field meets at Ohio State University’s Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium at Columbus. Wednesday’s only running final was the 4x800 relay; all other racing was to qualify for Friday’s finals. About half the field events were finals; the other half will be contested on Friday.

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The first day of the D-III regional also was held on Wednesday at Troy. It too is on the same schedule as D-I and will resume on Friday.

Scott was part of an outstanding boys long jump competition that could repeat at state. His final jump of 23-5.25 pulled him even with Centerville junior Yariel Soto, who led with other better jumps. Butler senior Daiton Sharp answered with a final leap of 23-11.

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That matched one of the oldest regional records that initially was set by Jeff Parks of Dayton Roosevelt in 1971 (Class AAA), a span of 47 years.

Scott unloaded a qualifying-best 10.67 in the 100, was third in the 200 (21.79) and anchored the 4x100 relay (42.32) to a third best. Also on the relay were Austin Tyree, Jacob Yost and Michael Brown-Stephens.

“This is a very special meet for me,” Scott said. “My birthday is on Friday and it’s a regional final. My main problem was I was just focusing too much on the meet. I was just worrying too much, but I’m not going to be too hard on myself.”

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Tyree, a junior, also advanced to the 300 hurdles final with a third-best time (38.65).

• The Tecumseh boys were seventh in the D-I 4x800 relay (8:06.47) and the Arrows’ girls 4x400 relay advanced to the final (4:06.62).

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• West Liberty-Salem loaded up the four girls relays in the D-III regional at Troy. The Tigers placed third in the 4x800 (9:40.97). Its 4x100 relay (50.67) was second, the 4x400 (4:06.73) third and the 4x200 (1:46.79) fifth in finals qualifying. WL-Salem senior Raiph LeVan also was third in boys 400 qualifying (51.35).

Southeastern junior Charlie Bertemes was fourth in the discus (143-0) and advanced to the D-III state meet. However, Yellow Springs senior Amani Wagner was fifth in the shot put (36-8), missing state by one place.

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