Erik Kynard soars to a leap of 7'2.5" in the high jump to set the current US #1 mark in that event, and besting the rest of the US by over six inches. (Photo by Mike Fernandez)
The opening meet of the 2009 Ohio High School Track and Field Season opened up with two very impressive performances in the field events. Senior Erik Kynard (Rogers) recorded a US-leading high jump of 7'2.5", adding to his field house record from last year by an inch. In the Weight Throw, junior Justin Welch (Eastwood) threw the US #2 mark in the 25lbs. Weight Throw with a heave of 70'11.75" on his way to winning the event.
Welch was a double winner, taking home gold in the shot put too, by delivering a throw of 54'7.75" to record the 4th best throw in the nation so far this season. Senior Zach Marinucci (Brunswick) also recorded a US top ten performance by throwing 53'5" in the shot.
The final boys field event to have a student athlete set a US top ten mark was the long jump, where defending outdoor DII state champion, senior Korbin Smith of Delta, jumped 22'5.25.
In running events, junior Demoye Bogle (Wayne) was a double winner by besting the field in both the 55m (6.68) and the 200m (23.18)
On the girls side, the field events shined as well. Sophomore Shana Flanary (Carleton Airport, MI) threw a US top ten mark in the weight by heaving the 20lbs. ball 45'3". Senior Alexis Thomas (Wayne) took an early lead on the girls in the throwing events in Ohio by winning the shot put with a throw of 37'6.5" and taking second in the weight with a throw of 38'10.5".
As for the running events, junior Courtney Siefert of the Northern Kentucky Track Club was able to win both the 800m (2:40.48) and the 1600 (5.45:67).