While every event at the state meet is important and fun to watch and each has its little elements and story lines that interest different individuals, but here are five events that should be labeled "Do Not Miss." If you are a true fan of Track and Field you won't want to miss these events.
Below are the events for Boys Division 2, in no particular order, that you will want to make sure that you get to see
1. 1600m Run
Saturday at 1:35pm
Forget the Regional qualifying times in this one. Steve Weaver, Napoleon’s Senior is back to defend his title. Weaver won last year in 4:16.48. To defend he will have to contend with last years’ runner-up, Senior Adrian Ross of Chillicothe Unioto. Ross has run a 4:12.91 earlier this year. He will also have to contend with Versailles Junior, and 2011 State Cross-Country Champion, Sam Prakel of Versailles who has run 4:13.46 this year. The three know each other well, having run together at the state level multiple times over the last few years.
2. 400m Dash
Prelims on Friday at 3:10pm
Finals on Saturday at 2:05pm
Dayton Thurgood Marshall Seniors Alante Oliver and Joe Ballard lead the way with 47.22 and 47.39 times, respectively. Senior Dareyus Person of Col. Eastmoor has run 48.15. Senior Keith Hemphill of Cle. Central, a State finalist last year, returns with a 48.12 and Michael Ohiembor, a Senior from Dayton Dunbar has run 48.37. Can the Dayton Public Schools (Thurgood Marshall and Dunbar) sweep the top three spots on the podium?
3. 4 x 200m
Prelims on Friday at 2:40pm
Finals on Saturday at 1:25pm
This should be a good one. Four teams have run within 1.30 seconds of each other. Day. Dunbar leads the way with a 1:27.32. Day. Thurgood Marshall follows with a 1:28.45. With a 1:28.46 is Col. Eastmoore. Bexley has posted a 1:29.02. Getting through the Prelims, lane assignment for the finals and the exchanges will make the diference.
4. 200m dash
Prelims on Friday at 3:50pm
Finals on Saturday at 2:35pm
Cin. North C’s Junior, Lamar Hargrove is one of the best sprinters in Ohio. At Regionals he set a new D2 State record of 21.37, besting Kevin McBroom of Columbus Wehrle’s state record of 21.39 set in 1981. His 21.37 is the States 3rd fastest time. He was 3rd last year, but this should be his year to win the 200 and the 100 as well, where he is favored as well with the states 6th fastest time of 10.71.
5. 800m Run
Saturday at 2:25pm
Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary’s Senior, Sean Poholski should pull several others to faster times than at Regionals. He has the State’s 5th fastest time. However, the finish in this one should be close as Napoleon’s Senior, Steve Weaver has run 1:54.45 and two others, Struther’s Senior, Kodie Fennell has posted a 1:55.13 and Hillboro’s Juinior, Jarrod Hart has run 1:55.62.
Returning State Champions
Event - Name (School) - Last Year's winning time/mark
1600m Run - Steve Weaver (Napoleon) - 4:16.48
4x100m Relay - St. Vincent-St. Mary - 42.42
4x400m Relay - Dunbar - 3:16.09
Pole Vault - Matt Rowland (Bellevue) - 14-9