Division 3 Boys
Bold Prediction: Dominic Perry Shoots Into US Top 10 in Shot Put
Columbiana-Crestview's Dominic Perry has been enjoying another stellar season coming off his shot put victory at the 2018 state meet. After topping out at 59-1.75 as a junior, Perry has pushed the envelope in 2019, clearing 60 feet three times en route to the top seed in Division 3 in the event.
Here's our bold call in the Division 3 events: Dominic Perry messes around and ends up in the top 10 ranks in the shot put. How does he do it? By tossing a 65-7 mark or better this weekend. It's happening. Prepare yourself.
Races To Watch
200 Meter Dash
Top 5 Seeds:
1) Josh Verhoff, Kalida - 21.64
2) Justin Wright, Wellsville - 21.81
3) Reece Serna, Evergreen - 22.20
4) Robby LeFevre, Fort Recovery - 22.32
5) Dylan Huff, Columbiana Crestview - 22.33
+6) Harry Mills, Columbus Academy - 22.34
Breakdown:
Two boys find themselves in the driver's seat heading into this one as Kalida's Josh Verhoff and Wellsville's Justin Wright have seemingly separated from the rest of the pack. With the only two marks under 22 seconds in Division 3, the best bet is that the state title will come down to one of these two.
Though Verhoff and Wright enter as the two under 22 from last week, Columbiana-Crestview's Dylan Huff has also broken the barrier this season with his wind legal 21.93. Among those not listed in the top 5 from last weekend, Springfield Local's Garrett Walker has gone 22.10 and leads the way. Ottawa Hills' Michael Nichols also comes in at 22.34 and will also be in the mix. With so many guys battling it out in this one, it will be hard to pick a winner until the dust finally settles Saturday afternoon.
1600 Meter Run
Top 5 Seeds:
1) Chase Stewart, Shadyside - 4:22.41
2) Demetrius Snellenberger, East Canton - 4:22.92
3) Joe Ballas, Fort Loramie - 4:23.79
4) Derek Amicon, Grandview Heights - 4:25.04
5) Tyler Clark, Gilmour Academy - 4:25.16
Breakdown:
There aren't many heavy hitters in this race, but what makes it so tasty is the depth.
The eighteen racers in the Boys Division 3 1600 come in between 4:22.41-4:29.24. Less than three seconds separates the top five (according to their region marks) and the top ten boys are within four seconds of the top seed.
Chase Stewart leads the way in this one and will be seeking his first career state championship. Stewart was 16th last year, but a lot has changed since then. Now the owner of a 7th place medal from the state cross country meet and a shiny 9:37.05 3200 best, Stewart has shown he has the chops to duke it out with the best of them. He may be the favorite, but it's still too close to call. Keep an eye out for the all-out sprint that will be the finish of the Division 3 Boys 1600.
800 Meter Run
Top 5 Seeds:
1) Patrick Lyell, Maumee Valley Country Day - 1:56.03
2) Nathan Meller, Liberty Center - 1:56.15
3) Brett Merillat, Fayette - 1:56.44
4) Brandtson Duffie, Leesburg-Fairfield - 1:56.62
5) Colt Hemphill, East Canton - 1:56.77
Breakdown:
He was 2:05.29 in 2018 and 2:03.03 during indoor season, but this spring Patrick Lyell has turned in a Division 3 No. 1 mark 1:56.03 after his win at the D3 Region 10 meet. It was a massive personal best for the junior, but will it be enough to secure the state title this weekend?
The 800 is another logjam race where anyone could emerge on victorious. The top fifteen seeds are under 1:59, but no one has run faster than 1:56 yet. The top five seeds are within .74 of each other and all have experience competing at the highest level.
Watch for Brandtson Duffie in particular in this one. He finished second to Shelby's Blake Lucius indoors and is still chasing his first state gold. This weekend could be his big break through that gets him atop the podium.
Field Events To Watch
Discus
Three men enter, one man leaves with gold around his neck.
St. Paul's Davis Hedrick is the top seed based on region marks heading into the weekend. His 179-5 is 3 inches ahead of McDonald's Zach Gray. Gray, though, holds the upper hand on the season as he posted a 182-0 best in late April that has him as the favorite heading into the event.
Forgetting about Van Buren's Tyler Arbaugh is ill-advised, though, as he his right in the mix, as well. Arbaugh through 174-1 at his district meet and was the indoor state champion in the weight throw. He also finished second at New Balance Nationals Indoor.
There are several boys in the mid-160s range, but these three have separated heading into the weekend and should battle it out for the title.
Pole Vault
Coming off a win at the D2/3 Indoor State Championships, Ansonia's Brock Shellhaas seems to be the clear favorite to win the pole vault outdoor, too, right?
Well... maybe. But he'll have some challengers.
Specifically, the brothers from Newcomerstown - Hunter Garretson and Dylan Garretson - will contend with Shellhaas for the top spot. Also, Shellhaas' teammate Matthew Shook will be eyeing gold hardware in his own right. Each of these four has cleared 14-6 this season, with Hunter's 15-9 being the top mark in the state in their division this year.
The rest of the field includes six more boys at 14-0 or better (based on regional marks). If you were planning on leaving with a medal in the Division 3 pole vault, you may have to clear 14-0 first this year.