Division 2 Boys
CVCA is the defending 4x800 champion. They ran 7:48.88 in 2013 and led by returning Sr. Noah LeBay and Jr. Ryan Adams, they just may repeat. They ran 7:54.39 in their Region. Eastwood however has their sites at the Chamionship as at Regionals they posted the #6 time in the State, running a 7:52.65. Sheridan has run 8:02.76 and Highland 8:01.27. They should join CVCA and Eastwood on the podium.
In the 110m hurdles last year’s #2 finisher (14-5), Jr. Errik Snell of Cambridge, returns. He is the fastest of the Regional qualifiers and his 14-07 is the #4 in the State. He’s poised to go under 14. The remaining spots on the podium are up for grab. Excluding Snell 9 of the qualifiers are under 15 and they are separated by just .65. Top contenders are State returners #5 (14-65) Sr. Alex Sherman of Bloom –Carrol, #7 (14-80) Sr. Dominic Lombardi of Watterson and #9 (14-93) Sr. Link Tranter of Carrollton.
The 100 features the #2, 3 and 4th place finishers from 2103. Sr. Jaylon Brown of St. Clairsville was 3rd last year (11-01) and has the fastest qualifying time out of Regionals with a 10.66 and a #9 State ranking. Last year’s #2 placer (10.95) is Sr. Parris Campbell, of Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary. His qualifying time was 11.05. Sr. Curtis Boyd of Dayton Dunbar qualified with a 10,84 and was 3rd last year in 11.08. Other qualifiers under 11.00 are Fr. Dakari Carter of Streetsboro (10.96), Sr. Ivan Gadson of Cambridge (10.94) and Sr. Cole Gorski of Tontogany (10.98).
Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary is the defending champion in the 4x200 and they return with a Regional qualifying time of 1:28.55. Sr.’s Jarel Wooldridge and Parris Campbell are back and lead the squad that set a new D2 and State Meet record last year of 1:26.87. The other members are Sr.’s Tyler Moran and Jordan Sensabaugh. The only other returning team from last year is Dayton Dunbar. They qualified with a time of 1:29.18. Four others are under 1:30. Creston Norwayne (1:29.15), Streetsboro (1:29.41), Navarre Fairless (1:29.81) and Clyde (1:29.99).
Jr. Ryan Adams ran 4th in 2013 (4:19.04) and leads the field coming into the finals with a State #5 ranking of 4:15.75. This is his race to win. The last 200 will determine who joins him on the podium. Six other runners have run 4:25 or below. Sr. Matt Bromley of Thornville Sheridan (4:23.03), Jr. Quintin Reiser of Wauseon (4:23.13), Sr. Matias Trampe-Kindt of Ottawa-Glandorf (4:23.31), Jr. Brandon Avers of Tontogany Otsego (4:23.33) , Jr. Kevin Jones of Marengo Highland (4:24.28), So. Joe Bistritz of Chagrin Falls (4:24.39) and Sr. Ben Bockoven, Cuyahoga Falls CVCA (4:25.91).
Akron SVSM will be back to defend their 2013 title. They won last year in 42.26 and come in with a qualifying time of 42.86. Three of last year’s foursome return. Jr. Vincent Lockett, and Sr.’s Jarel Wooldridge and Parris Campbell. Two other teams come in with under 43. Qualifying times: Col. Bishop Waterson (42.71) and Pemberville Eastwood (42.8). Exchanges and experience are the keys, but these three teams should be on the podium.
The 400 features two returners from last year’s finals. #6 (49.79) Sr. Trevahn Berry of Norwasne has the #9 ranking in the State and leads the qualifiers with a 48.72. Just behind him with a qualifying time of 48.99 is the other returner, Sr. Tyler Neff of Fairless. Neff was 8th last year (50.39). These two have the experience at the State level and will battle for the top spot on the podium. Who joins them will be close as only three of the 16 qualifiers come in with qualifying times over 50.
The boys 300 hurdles may be one of the best races of the day. 5 boys return from last year’s finals and 4 are ranked in the top 15 in the State. Defending champion Sr. Dominic Lombardi of Watterson won last year in 38.13. He is ranked #10 in the State with a 37.99 time. Finishing 2nd last year was Sr. Evan Carroscia of CVCA. He ran 38.16 last year and is ranked #9 in the State with a 37.98. These two should battle it out the last 50m. Just behind them are #7, 8 & 9 finishers from last year. Jr. Devin Snowden of Eastood was 7th (39.43) and is ranked 11th in the State with a 38.12. #8 last year was Jr. Lenell Shelby of Ontario (39.48). Shelby is ranked 13th in the State with a 38.22. One other runner comes in with a qualifying time under 39. Sr. Matt Ludwig of Mentor Lake Catholic (38.91).
Jr. Ryan Adams of CVCA comes into State with the #4 time in the State (1:52.62). He is looking to redeem himself from last year’s 15th place finish should be atop the podium. The other two State returners are Eastwood Jr. Tim Hoodlebrink who was 4th last year (1:55.09) and #12 Jr. Max Lewis of Indian Creek (1:58.48). Jr. Brian Bell of Dayton Dunbar comes in with the 2nd fastest qualifying time of 1:54.95. The race the last 100m will be to see who joins Adams on the podium.
The 200 is always close. Four finalists return from last year, but three standout. Last year’s #2 (21.97) is Sr. Curtis Boyd of Dunbar. He comes in with the #18 time in the State (21.92). Sr. Jaylon Brown of St. Claisville is ranked #7 in the State with a 21.55 and was 4th last year in 22.50. The #12 ranked runner in the State is Cale Gorski of Tontogany Otsego. He has run 21.72. Two other runners have times under 22. And may be in the mix. Fr. Dakari Carter of Streetsboro (21.97) and Sr. Marquee Montgomery of Cleveland Benedictine (12 21.99).
In the 3200 the pick is Sr. Matt Bromley of Sheridan. He was 4th last year in 9:34.08 and is currently ranked #12 in the State with a 9:17.31. He is also the State XC champion. Two other returners have qualified, Jr. Brett Cortelletti of Ontario was 11th last year (9:52.94). He has run 9:45.71. Jr. Zac Bussard of Valley View was 14th (9:56.77). He has qualified with a 9:47.40. The race for the other podium spots is wide open. 
The 4x400 has four teams returning from last year: #2 CVCA (3:19.72), #4 Eastwood (3:21.63), #6 Van Wert (3:23.31) and #7 Dunbar (3:23.41). The race this year should be between Eastwood who has just run the #3 time in the State of 3:18.01 and Heath, who is ranked #8 with a time of 3:19.18. Eastmoor may be in the mix with the #16 State time of 3:20.36. Two runners return from Eastwood’s 2013 team. Sr. Joey Salinas and Jr. Devon Snowden.
The boys discus has three returners from last year; Jr. Trevor Detillion of Chillicothe Unioto was 2nd last year (171-01), Jr. Noah Castle of Wauseon was 4th last year (169-05) and Sr. Cory Harmon of Deer park. Harmon was 7th last year (163-10). First place on the podium will be between Detillion who comes in with a throw of 181-02 from Regionals and Castle who has threw 179-04 at Regionals. Castle however has the State’s #2 throw of 189-1. Detillion is ranked 3rd with a throw of 185-9.
The boy’s High Jump will be exciting. Six return from last year. The field is led by Jr. Jeffery Floyd of Linden McKinley. Floyd went 6-8 at Regionals but has a State leading 6-10 to his credit. Jefferson Area’s Sr. David Chase returns with a regional vault of 6-8, Chase however is ranked #3 in the State with a jump of 6-8.25. Two other contenders for the top spot are Jr. Zach Robbins of Beloit West Branch who comes in with a Regional jump of 6-8 and Jr. Cody Stine of Shelby who jumped 6-7.
The Long Jump features four returning athletes, including Sr. Brandon Cushler who was 11th (20-10.5). This year Cushler comes in to State with the #10 State jump of 22-8.75. Jr. Wade Barney of Vinton County comes in with a jump of 22-1. He was 6th last year with a jump of 21-04. Three other jumpers come in with leaps over the 22’ mark. Sr. Logan Allison of Gallia Academy comes in with the #8 jump in the State of 22-9, So. Devon Snowden of Eastwood comes to State with the #11 jump in the State of 22-8.50 and Jr. Kyle McKinney ofDayton Chaminade Julienne arrives with a mark of 22-0.50" If everyone is on, it will be exciting to see who stands atop the podium.
Shot has only two returners from last year’s Senior field. Last year’s #10, Sr. Wes Martin of Milton-Union (51-6.75) has thrown 53-10.25 and Jr. Bronson Krull of Ontario was 13th (50-3.50). he has thrown 55-1.50. However, Sr. Logan Bryer has the #3 throw in the state with a throw of 61-7. He should be atop the podium. Closet qualifier to him is Jr. Eric Jackson of Clear Fork with a throw of 56-9.50. The #16 ranked throw in the State.
This year’s Pole Vault should be exciting. The D2 division has the number 1, 2, 4 and 9 ranked boys in the state. Six boys enter with vaults over 15’. Sr. Cole Gorski of Ostego has the #1 vault in the State of 15-10. Close behind Gorski is Sr. Eric Fox of Cambridge with the #2 vault of 15-9. Jr. Cody Cobb of Madison Middletown is ranked #4 with a vault of 15-6. The #9 ranked vaulter is Jr. Tyler Fraker of Delta with a vault of 15-2. Sr. Alex Watson of Zoarville Tuscarawas Valley and Jr. Craig Martin of Caledonia River Valley both have vaults of 15-0. All of the 15 footers will be on the podium. It’s just the order that needs to be determined and that will come down to who is on when they vault.