BHS boys sending three to state
After dealing with some injuries and having inconsistent stretches early in the season, Bellefontaine’s girls track and field team is performing at an elite level.
The Lady Chiefs won a Division II regional championship Saturday and qualified a big group of athletes to the state meet this week in Columbus.
“This regional stretches nearly from Toledo to Cincinnati being the toughest in the state,” said Bellefontaine head coach Ben Davis. “We are very excited to win our second regional championship in five years. The assistant coaching staff has done an exceptional job personalizing workouts and keeping the team focused despite setbacks.
We have nine young people that will represent our school well next weekend at OSU.”
The Chiefs piled up 85 points to finish comfortably ahead of second-place Ottawa Glandorf (68). Oakwood was third (54), Van Wert was fourth (38) and Carroll took fifth (37).
Sophomores Kylie Adams and Ava Reeves again powered the Chieftains.
Adams and Reeves both qualified to state in four events.
Adams won three regional titles, finishing first in the long jump (PR of 18-5 1/2), first in the 100 hurdles (14.90) and first in the 300 hurdles (44.51).
Reeves was second in the 100 (12.47) and was fifth in the 200 (25.68) and fifth in the long jump (17-5 1/4).
The top-four finishers in each regional event qualify for the state. In addition, the next two best times/distances/heights statewide also earn state berths.
Reeves was able to take advantage of the at-large spots in the 200 and long jump.
Adams and Reeves also advanced in the 400 relay along with Parker Penhorwood and Callie Shumaker. That group placed third with a PR of 49.8.
Kelsie Snapp qualified in two events. She took second in the shot put (PR of 37-7 1/4) and second in the discus (PR of 128-1).
Shumaker also advanced to state in two individual events. She finished third in the 300 hurdles (46.32) and was fourth in the 100 hurdles (15.72).
Also advancing was Lexi Robinson, who took third in the discus (PR of 124-11).
Bellefontaine’s boys team also had a good day Saturday. Haiden Manns won a regional title in the shot put (PR of 50-8.5), while teammate Sullivan Ashcraft took third in the shot (49-0.5) to also qualify to state.
The Chiefs’ Tony Stewart took fourth in the 3,200 (PR of 9:50.49) to earn a state berth.
“We had 14 spots competing today and qualified to state in 14,” said Davis. “Exceptional. What a great day to experience. The kids were remarkable. Ten 10 of those were PRs on the season. We started the day with Haiden Manns’ gutsy performance having surgery on his non-throwing hand yesterday wearing a big cast and he wins with a career best. And then he was joined by teammate Sully’s state berth in shot.
“Kylie overcame two straight fouls in the long jump to leap into the finals on her third attempt, then spring a career-best winning leap. Freshman Callie Shoemaker PRd in both hurdles to qualify in each and held off a charging pack as the anchor in the 4×1. Ava had a gutsy, busy day qualifying in all four of her events leaping to a season best state (at large) berth on her last attempt in long jump. Our 4×1 relay PRd, freshman Kelsie Snapp jumped from seventh to second in the discus finals to PR, Lexi Robinson made her throws coach father (Jim Robinson) proud with her third-place PR toss. Tony Stewart knocked 12 seconds off of his previous best on a hot day to punch his ticket to Jesse Owens stadium.”
The Chiefs will compete Thursday and Saturday at the state meet in Columbus.