State Scoop: Ohioans Excel At Wittenberg, SPIRE Institute

Wittenberg University & Capital University

A trio of new state bests were achieved in the distance races at the Springfield-based venue. 

In the 800 Celia Schulte led the way, winning in 2:14.74. The sophomore from Hilliard Davidson held off Rachael Hoover (Fairbanks) and Brooke Chapman (Olentangy Orange), who not only took 2nd and 3rd in the contest, but also secured state No. 2 and No. 3 overall positions with their 2:16.07 and 2:16.64 marks. 

A previously reported state lead in the 1600 by Amy Weybrecht (5:01.34) on Saturday at SPIRE was overtaken the very next day by Efa Paschka (Mason), who clocked 5:01.26 in her first individual appearance of the season. 

Paschka, a sophomore, is the reigning OATCCC Division I state champion in the event.

Evelyn Prodoehl won her second race in as many starts this season with a 1st place effort in the 3200. 

The Lakota West junior tops the state charts following her 10:41.84 outing. This mark ranks her at No. 7, nation-wide. 

Scoring her second long jump win of the season at the Wittenberg High School Series, Izzy Zahn put a new personal best effort of 18-3.5 on the board to earn the meet title and the Ohio No. 1 ranking. 

Her mark edged Olivia Hill (Wyoming), who went 18-3 for second, which is also a PR. 

Zahn, from Coldwater, had won previously at Wittenberg Meet 1 with a 17-5.5 performance and she also jumped well at the VA Showcase taking third overall with an 18-0 effort.

A pair of 5-6 high jump clearances were displayed on Sunday with Alyssa Christian (Springfield-Northwestern) and Allison Klinefelter (Columbus Academy) producing the matching top state marks at Wittenberg and Capital. 

This places the duo in a tie with many athletes across the country in the No. 30 position. 

SPIRE Institute & Kent State University

At SPIRE, the 4x200m team from Pickerington North picked up the meet title and earned the top time in Division I (and top school-based mark) for 2024 state-wide with their 1:43.33 mark. 

The line-up for the Panthers consisted of: Paris Williamson, Mya Clark, Kylee Hicks and Laila Eiland. 

TruSpeed Elite leads the way with a 1:41.20 time in the Wittenberg Series Opener earlier this month. 

In a spirited battle with Bishop McNamara (MD), the host SPIRE Academy squad took second overall in the 4x400 meter relay with an OH No. 1 / US No. 18 mark of 3:56.72. 

The home team was represented by: Kaylee McIntyre, Jenna-Marie Thomas, Berta Kondrataite and Kadia Rock.

Morgan Hallett made it 2-for-2 in weight throw competition at the Kent State Series this season. 

The senior from Norton, and Ohio State signee, had won Meet No. 1 in December at 46-1 and posted a significant improvement in her latest outing, at Meet No. 4, with a 51-9 PR mark. 

She's now ranked 3rd nationally and is one of just eight throwers in the country who've eclipsed the elusive 50-foot standard.