2011 Wayne Invite Preview

2011 Wayne Invitational Preview

How do you top last year’s Wayne invitational that saw a Division 2 state long jump record for girls, an All-Division state record in the hammer throw and over 10 meet records broke?  How about making this year a 2 day format track meet?  How is this for day 1- the addition of the distance medley relay, a shuttle hurdle relay and ending with the 4x800 relay; mixed along with semi-finals in the 100 meter, 200 meter and 100/110 hurdles (with the top 8 times advancing to the finals on Friday), as well as competing most of the field events on day one, the Wayne Invitational 2011 version looks to be on paper, to be the best one yet.  Remember, that’s just day one!


Day 2 will be considered the Elite day, with a focus on a “hot” heat of your distance races, as well as your sprint and relays finals.   We will also contest the hammer throw, triple jump and the Elite Pole Vault- which is the top 12 marks coming in.  It’s possible that this year’s expected participants may indeed surpass last year’s dominate performances.  As always, this meet should bring out some of the best talent statewide in track and field.  Individual state champions as well as former team champions are recognizable when you see the teams competing.


There are 16 conference represented and here’s who slated to come:  Wayne, Alter, Centerville, Fairmont, Mason, St. Xavier, Westerville North, Gahanna Lincoln (girls), St. Charles Prep, Dunbar, Trotwood, Xenia, Greenville, Miami East, Miamisburg, Piqua, Tipp City, Middletown, Lebanon, Northmont, Vandalia Butler, Springboro, Cincinnati Mt. Healthy, Oakwood, Fairborn, Bellbrook, Napoleon, Genoa Area,  McComb, Canal Winchester, Carroll, Troy, Thurogood Marshall, Stivers, Chaminade Julienne, Yellow Springs, Hilliard Bradley, Miami Valley School, Russia, Thurogood Marshall, Turpin and Meadowdale (as of April 25th).  Obviously, not all teams are full squads, as some are just bringing their top athletes, but you would be hard pressed to find a meet in the state of Ohio this weekend that will put up some great performances as you will see here in Huber Heights.
 

Boys Preview


If you’re a fan of distance, then you’ll want to watch these races.


1600 meter run:


Slated to run are Zach Wills of Mason, Chadd Kiggins of Carroll, Jordan Redd Fairborn, Brian and Jeff Hannaford of Westerville North, Steve Weaver of Napoleon, Jacob Markusic-Troy Kelleher-Austin Alpeter from Hilliard Bradley, Luke Pohlman of Russia, Matt Kincaid of Mason, Jacob Brumfield of Vandalia Butler, Greg Sanders of St. Xavier, Chris Quinn of St. Charles Prep, Jake Stephens of Bellbrook, Alex Notten of Mason, Shomo Das of St. Xavier, Antony Parnigoni of Turpin and Josh Steible of Centerville.


Weaver has gone 4:19 this year already, Redd and Kiggins have gone 4:22, Markusic has gone 4:24, Pohlman has gone 4:27, Kincaid 4:28,  Alpeter 4:30, Brian Hannaford 4:32, Brumfield and Kelleher 4:33, Sanders -Quinn and Stephen 4:34, Notten 4:36, Parnigoni, Das and  Steible 4:38!  That’s 17athletes 4:38 or better, should be a dandy! Remember last year, 4:31 was 8th and 4:39 was 16th!
   

800 meter run:
 
Slated to run are Chadd Kiggins of Carroll, Ashton Hall of Wayne, Trey Quick of Northmont, Tate Honaker of Mason, Jordan Redd of Fairborn, Stephen Spees of St. Charles Prep,  Michael Ohiembar of Dunbar, Andrew Bachman of St. Xavier, Nick Milner of Trotwood Madison, Luke Pohlman of Russia, Tyler Wlazlo of Fairborn, Michael Mumma of Mason and Colin Wurster of Centerville.


Kiggins is the defending meet champion, and owns a personal best of 1:53.  Quick has gone 1:57 this year, Honaker and Ohiembar both have gone 1:57, while Hall and Redd both own  pr’s of 1:58.  Milner, Bachman, Spees have gone 2:00.  Last year, it took 2:00.13 to place top 8.  It looks like that might be the same this year.


3200 meter run:


Slated to run are Sam Wharton of Tipp City, Josh Steible of Centerville, Jake Stephens of Bellbrook, Matt Kincaid of Mason, Jack Butler and Andrew Bachman of St. Xavier, Mike Melko of Miamisburg, Tom Clark of Mason, Jacob Brumfield of Vandalia Butler, Chris Quinn of St. Charles Prep, Henry Murkami of Centerville, Kevin Ford of Westerville North, and Antony Parnigoni of Turpin.


Wills is the defending meet champion, and if Kiggins runs, he’s gone 9:36.  Redd also owns a pr of 9:30.11 if he decides to run.  Last year, Melko, Wharton and Quinn all went 9:45 at this invitational and are slated to compete again.   Steible has gone 9:38 this year, Quinn 9:42, and Kincaid 9:48. Parnigoni has gone 9:59 earlier this season.


There’s enough competition here to see it take sub 9:50 to place in the top 8, as last year 9:48 was 8th.


To summarize, if you are a fan of distance running, then you’ll want to be at the stadium for these hot races.  It will be interesting to see which athlete will double and what events they’ll double in.  The way the meet is set up, there should be decent rest to double that night.  No question the competition will be there, let’s hope the hype is as good as advertised.


Sprints:


There always seems to be a buzz at this meet when it comes to the sprint events, and I believe this year will not disappoint.


100 meter dash


Slated to run (pr’s in parenthesis): Jared Walker (10.79) of Northmont, a state placer in Division 1 last year, leads the contingent of sprinters, as well as Romello Crisp (11.17) (freshman) and Julius Ruby (10.86) of Trotwood, Antonio Blanks (10.91) of Dunbar, William Sherman (11.10) of St. Xavier, Josh Dooley (11.02) and Billy Chanatry (11.36) of Mason, Jordan Morgan and Javan Richardson (both 11.24) of Wayne, Tyree Eliot (10.95) and Vince Turnage  (11.29) of Mt. Healthy, Edric Seldon (10.94) of Middletown, Dylan Bourelle (11.31) of Tipp City, Nick James (11.23) of Troy, Ralpheal Berry (11.36) of Dunbar,  and Aaron Abbot (11.39) of Lebanon have gone 11.39 or better this year.  Michael Melchor (11.04) of Centerville, Mario Cosey (11.06)of Yellow Springs and Cody Quinn (10.83) of Middletown were in the finals last year at Wayne.  Blanks, Walker and Cosey all were state placers last year in the 100 meters.


200 meter dash:


Slated to run: Alante Oliver of Thurogood Marshall (21.60), Antonio Blanks of Dunbar (21.66), Vince Turnage of Mt. Healthy (21.90), Edric Seldon of Middletown (21.90), Julius Ruby of Trotwood (21.97), Luke Norris of Lebanon (22.18), Michael Jordan of Trotwood (22.23), Josh Dooley of Mason (22.26), Brent Gray of Mt. Healthy (22.38), Greg McIntosh of Northmont (22.78), Dylan Bourelle of Tipp City (22.84), Nick James of Troy (22.87), Oliver Sathoud of Centerville (22.88), Juan Cummings of Middletown (22.90) and Jared Walker of Northmont (22.93).


Last year, it took 22.83 to get to the finals, so with the athletes listed above, it may take 22.50 to make the finals this year.


400 meter dash:


Slated to run: Brent Gray (49.20) and Vince Turnage (49.85) of Mt. Healthy,  Adam Court (50.44) of Mason, Julius Jones (50.95)of Trotwood, Eric Blaire (51.17) and James Woody (51.44) of Dunbar, Tim Bryson (51.54) of St. Xavier, Danny Brown (51.61) of Fairmont, as well as Memme Onwudiwe of Centerville (was 4th last year here at 50.9).  Antonio Blanks (49.15) of Dunbar and Luke Norris (50.04) have also run this event this year.


This could be a matchup between teammates Gray and Turnage, both who have gone sub 50.  But the 400 races always seem to have surprises, and with the potential athletes slated to run, it’s really anyone’s race.


Hurdles:


Dunbar’s Antonio Blanks (14.63), Centerville’s Mike Melchor (14.71 pr), Lebanon’s Luke Norris (14.74 pr), Wayne’s Trey Hammons-Scott (14.54 pr) and Stiver’s Jashawn Combs (14.40) will lead the contingency of hurdlers. Others to watch are Joey Wilkin (15.15) of Westerville North, Aaron Johnson of Troy (15.37), Lance Johnson of Middletown (15.52) and Assad Maiden of Mason (15.53).


Hammons-Scott was runner-up last year here, but Combs won this years prestigious Mansfield Relays meet in the 110h with his 14.40 clocking. Blanks was 3rd in the D2 state indoor hurdles.  Melchor placed 4th last year at Wayne while Norris placed 6th.  No question, the 110 hurdle race will be another race to watch.


300 hurdles

I think this will be a classic matchup between Luke Norris of Lebanon and Antonio Blanks of Dunbar.  Norris was event champion last year, going 37.1, and was 3rd in the D1 state meet.  Blanks was the D2 state champ in the 300 hurdles, as well as owning a personal best of 37.26.  Both could pull each other to sub 37 seconds.    Also slated to run: Jashawn Combs of Stivers (40.17), Jon Overstreet of Centerville (pr of 39.27), Aaron Johnson of Troy (40.88), Lance Johnson of Middletown (40.98), Nicholas Lane of Dunbar (41.19), Josh Fortner of Carroll (41.30) and Andre Cokes of Wayne (41.30).


Field Events:


It would be hard pressed to try and top last year’s performance of Eastwood's Justin Welch, who set the state record in the hammer with a toss of 245-4 inches, but we’ll be close, at least with the competition of athletes coming.


Discus - Centerville’s Michael Bennett had the area’s best toss last year, throwing 196-3.  He was 6th at the D1 state meet.  Wayne’s Jared Harrison was 4th at the D1 state meet last year, with a personal best 176-9.  Benny McGowan, also of Centerville owns a pr of 166.  Brad Szykpa of Genoa Area has a pr of 162-11,  Ryan Schneiber of St Xavier (155-7), Daryll Jackson and Lovell Peterson of Wayne (both at 152-8), Matt Longo of Bellbrook (147), Joe Winner of Troy (145), Darien Howard of Chaminade Julienne (142), Tyler Burton of Troy (140-10) and Brian Stege of Springboro(140-8) are the top throwers listed to throw.  Last year it took 136-11 to make the finals, this year it may take at least 145 to make the finals.  To put that in perspective, at the 2010 Dayton Regional, it took 140-04 to make the finals.  Bennett, Harrison and McGowan were all state qualifiers out of that region.


Shot Put - Brad Syzpka Genoa Area has already thrown 59-7 this year while Bennett of Centerville (3rd D1 State meet) owns a pr of 59-10.75.  Wayne's Tyler Dukes threw 58-6 on Tuesday at the Criss and Rita Somerlot Field Event Classic and was a state qualifier along with Szykpa and Bennett.  St. Xavier has a pair of 50 plus shot putters in Ryan Schnieber and Jack Woodall (53-0.25 and 54-4.25, respectively), Centerville's Benny McGowan has  a pr of 54-1, Wayne's Darien Thornton has gone 52-7, Darien Howard of Chaminade Julienne 51-9.25 and Matt Longo of Bellbrook (50-11.5) lead the contingent of shot putters over 50 feet.  Last year it took 47-2 to make the finals.  Bennett, Longo, Dukes and McGowan all placed last year at this meet.


Hammer Throw - One of the best hammer throw competitions in state history could be held on Friday.  Three athletes have gone over 180 this year (Tyler Dukes and Darien Thornton of Wayne and Michael Montavon of Centerville); Benny McGowan of Centerville has gone 178+, too.    Other notable that are probably not throwing but have great marks, Michael Bennett of Centerville (174) and Jared Harrison of Wayne (171).  Brad Szypka has gone 159, too.


Long jump is led by Middletown’s Dennis Brown, who has gone 22-5.25. already this year.  Centerville’s Mike Melchor also has gone over 22 feet and owns a pr of 23, as well as 2 Division 1 state indoor long jump titles.  Josh Dooley of Mason has gone 22-2.5, then a pair of Dunbar jumpers-Michael Ohiembor and Dwyane Harris have gone 21-10.  Miamisburg's Cody Hamblin has gone 21-8, Northmont’s Cameron Belton 21-5, Michael Nwanko of Carroll (21-5) and Wayne duo of Trey Thomas and Domineek Ellington (21-4 each) round out the jumpers 21 feet and over.


High jump is Division 3 Russia athlete Mason Hoying, who has gone 6-6 this season.  Joining Hoying in the 6-6 club are a pair of Middletown jumpers in Dennis Brown and Jalin Marshall.  Clearing 6-2 are Wayne’s Kevin Simmons, Carroll Michael Nwanko (6-4 pr), Evan Wolf of Miami East, and Nicholas Grigsby of Trotwood.


Junior Michael Shiverdecker of Wayne is the top pole vaulter, already clearing 14 feet 10 inches.  Centerville has a trio of vaulters that have cleared 13-6 in Travis Daulton, Nick Hansford and Zachary Houck, as well as Kyle Roeth of Miami East and Zac Gruer of Miamisburg.  Greenville’s James Butsch has cleared 13 feet, as well as Lebanon’s Jared Neeley.  Clearing 12-6 are Michael Turpin of Lebanon and Logan Terrell of Troy.
 

Relays:


Can anyone catch Dunbar in the 4x400 meter relay?  The Wolverines ran an impressive 3:15 at the Dayton Relays, while the Rams of Trotwood was right behind them in 3:16.  The meet record is definitely in jeopardy.  Also running impressive times are Lebanon and Wayne (3:24), Centerville (3:25), Mt. Healthy (3:25), St. Xavier (3:26) and Mason (3:28).


And in the 4x100, can anyone catch Trotwood? Or Dunbar?  Both have cracked the 42 second barrier (41.71 and 41.95, respectively).  Centerville has gone 42.83, Mt. Healthy 43.38, Lebanon 43.38, Wayne 43.42, Middletown 43.64 and Mason 43.73.  That’s eight teams under 43.73……Meet record is 41.80, should be interesting…..


In the 4x200, Trotwood has gone 1:28 this season so far, as has DunbarMt. Healthy has gone 1:29, Mason 1:30, Northmont and Centerville 1:31, Wayne and Vandalia Butler are at 1:32.  The meet record is also in danger here, too.


The best relay to watch this year might just be the 4x800 relay.  Centerville, Dunbar, Wayne, Mason, St. Xavier, Russia, Trotwood and St. Charles Prep all have the ability to win in this stacked field.  Don’t count out Fairmont, as well as Carroll.  8:20 may not place in the top 8 this year.

 

Girls preview


Teams to watch- Lebanon, Alter, Mason, Centerville, Gahanna Lincoln and Wayne.


The girl’s portion of the meet won’t leave you disappointed one bit.  But like the boys, the distance side seems to take immediate notice.


Distance:


Carly Hamilton, a senior from Springboro, returns to defend her 1600 meter title.  Last year was a great duel between Carly and Miami East's Julie Arcusso, with Hamilton edging Arcusso 4:58.88 to 4:59.19, enroute to a new meet record.


Hamilton has already gone 5:10 this season, but should get some competition from Olivia Albers (5:14) from Alter, Jacquelyn Crow (5:19) from Lebanon, Katie Landwher (5:19) from Tipp City, Monica Lake (5:19) from Mason, KatieOllier (5:20) from Carroll, Marah Charbel (5:21) from Vandalia Butler, Taylor O'Niel (5:24) from Carroll and Bridget McEhlenny (5:24) of Mason.    Jessica Childers of Northmont was 6th last year here, running 5:24.


Sprints:


In the dashes, Trotwood’s Alexis Davis holds the area’s fastest time in 12. 24.  Sarah Hunter of Mason has gone 12.29,  Daniella Johnson of Gahanna Lincoln has gone 12.41, Mason’s Brittany Betts has gone 12.49, Dunbar’s Megan Cherry has gone 12. 60, Justine Miller of Fairmont and Wayne’s Brianna Woods have gone 12.84.


The 200 Dash sports 3 athletes in the 25 second range- Mason’s Khara Walker, Lebanon’s Rebekah Herdman, and Dunbar’s Megan Cherry. Justine Miller of Fairmont is at 26.24, while Wayne's Brianna Woods has gone 26 this year (25.11 pr).


The most intriguing sprint race for the young women should be the 400 meter dash.  Defending champion Kelsey McDonald is scheduled to defend her title, where she went 57.7 last year.  Challenging her will be Jade Kinney of Lebanon(59), Wayne’s Cidni Latimer (59), Lebanon’s Hannah Turpin (60), Alexandria Coleman (60), Brittany Rooths of Northmont and Ivy Beddow of Mason both at 61.  Alexis Davis of Trotwood also has gone 61, and 10 others are at 62 seconds.


In the 800, Hamilton owns the best time of 2:14.58 but there are 10 athletes listed under 2:26 or better:

Haylee Stegemiller of Lebanon has gone 2:22, as well as Tipp City’s Katie Landwehr, Alters’ Rebecca Esselstein.  Mason’s Brenna Hallum and Russia’s Katie Borchers have gone 2:24, Wayne’s Cidni Latimer has gone 2:25, Vandalia Butlers Marah Charbel Centerville’s CC Salzman, Greenville’s Cloe Warvel, Mason’s Ashley Canvini have gone 2:26.  Let’s remember last year when 2:21 was 8th place!  If conditions are right, look for some fast times again.


The 3200 meter run Defending Champion Rachel Mahle of Springboro is back to defend her title.  In fact, of the top 8 placers last year, all but two return.  Katie Oiler of Carroll has the fastest area time with 11:17.58 (Mahle won last year with 11:21), and Jacquelyn Crow of Lebanon has gone 11:17.74.  Mason’s Monica Lake has gone has gone 11:31, Olivia Albers of Alter 11:38, Jenna Parlette of Miamisburg has gone 11:48.  Last year 12:26 was 16th, and there are 11 athletes entered in under 12:15.  This is an impressive field of 3200 meter runners.


Hurdles:


The hurdles will be the Maria Rotello show (Lebanon).  She will be the heavy favorite in both 100 hurdles and 300 hurdles.  She went 43.9 last year for second, but will be vying to break the meet record of 43.4.  Watch for Sonetrish Faircloth of Wayne, who owns a pr of 44.5.  Mason has Taylor Reid that’s gone 47, as well as Russia’s Jackie Siefring.


Relays:


Gahanna Lincoln has gone 48.74, while Mason has gone 49.21, however, Mason is defending event Champion, and will be tough to beat. Wayne and Trotwood have gone 50 seconds, and Mt. Healthy and Lebanon have gone 51.


The 4x200 will be much the same as the 4x100.  Gahanna Lincoln, Dunbar, Mason, Mt.Healthy, Xenia, Wayne and Trotwood should bring the heat in this relay.


The 4x400 will pit Lebanon, Stivers, Oakwood, Mason, Centerville, and Wayne as teams that have gone under 4:09 this year, with Lebanon going 3:58.88.


The best relay of the night will be contested on Thursday evening.


The 4x800 field boast 5 schools under 10 minutes: Alter (9:36), Lebanon (9:38), Mason (9:45), Springboro (9:50), Wayne (9:51) and Westerville North (9:57). Russia is 10:05, Oakwood 10:11, Carroll and Centerville 10:12 and Northmont 10:16.  8th place last year was 10:17, meet record could be in danger.


Field Events:


The field events are stacked in the throws.  Lucy Sherman of Vandalia Butler leads the throws with a 124-7, followed closely by Mikah Dennis of Middletown who has gone 120-9.  Becca Lepplemeier of McComb has gone over 120 also (121-6).  Centerville's Erionna Bush has gone 116.


In the shot put, Jackie Lepplemeier leads all throwers with a 47-11.25 mark.  Dennis of Middletown has gone 40-2, Leah Duniven of Miami East (39-5), and Tia Jones of Chaminade Julienne has gone 37-7.25.  Greenville's Jennifer Studebaker has gone36-11; Lebanon’s CC Latham has gone 36-8.


In the Hammer throw, the Lepplemeier girls lead the group, tossing the metal ball and wire 157 feet (Jackie) and 121 (Becca).  Michaela Dramis of Wayne has gone 115.


A log jam in the pole has 5 pole vaulters over 10 feet.  Wayne's Courtney Ballard, Greenville's Aireca Hetzler( has pr of 11) and Mason’s Olivea Bergensen have gone 10-6 this year, and Bergensen is the Defending state champion in the event for Division 1.  Caren Kay of Centerville and Sydney Sloan of Mason have cleared 10 feet.  All are capable of jumping big here.  With the showcased Elite vault on Friday, expect these young ladies to step up and bring it!  


In the long jump, Mason’s Sarah Hunter has gone an impressive 19-4.  Lebanon's Maria Rotello gone 17-4, Trotwood’s Alexis Davis 17-1, Fairmont’s Natalie Uy has gone 17-0.25, Laurel Cooney of Miami Valley School and Devanae Mitchell of Chaminade Julienne have gone 16-10, and fellow CJ teammate Camille Dickens has gone 16-8.  Toddnaisha Norris of Troy has gone 16-6.


In the high jump, Russia’s Jackie York has gone 5-2, along with Fairmont’s Uy, Wayne’s Courtney Ballard has gone 5-1, and a bunch of athletes have cleared 5 feet with Annie Erhart of Alter, Hannah Turpin of Lebanon, Haylee Stegemiller of Lebanon, Camile Putoff of Russia, Chelsea Shepard of Mason, Abbey Saurine of Carroll, and Brett Hoefling of Miamisburg.


This will be a great night for track in field not only in Huber Heights, but for the state of Ohio.  Meet records beware.  If you are a fan of track and field, then you need to be at Good Samaritan Athletic Fields at Heidkamp Stadium in Huber Heights, on the campus of Wayne HS for a great night of competition, hope to see you there.


On Thursday, 4:30 will be the start of the running finals of the distance medley relay competition.  4:30 will also begin most field events.  We will also be running the semi-finals of the 100 and 110 hurdles, 100 dashes and 20 dashes, with top 8 times advancing to Friday’s finals.  The rising stars 3200 will also be run on Thursday. We will end the day with the 4x800 relay.


Friday’s Elite session will start with the rising stars 1600 at 4:00pm.  The hammer throw will also begin at 4:00, while the triple jump and pole vault Elite will start at 4:30.


Finals are slated to begin around 6:00 pm.  Hope to see you here.