Barker, McCray win four district titles, St. Vincent-St. Mary boys and girls finish second
TRACK AND FIELD
Salem Division III District
When you’re the queen everyone tries to take you down. Buchtel’s DaMya Barker knew that Saturday, but she retained her throne remained intact.
The senior advanced out of the Salem Division II District in all of her events by winning 100-meter hurdles with a meet record (14.73). She also took home firsts in the 4x200 and 4x400 relays and 300 hurdles.
“To be honest with you, being a defending state champion is not easy,” said Barker, who won both hurdle titles in 2021. “I have this target on my back, so every race has to be perfect. I have to act like every meet is state.”
Barker wasn’t the only Griffin to win as Tay’onia Whitaker (4x200, 400 meters, 4x400), Zoe Sanders (4x200, 400), Tianna Burton (4x200) and Sandra King (4x400) also won to easily advance.
Team runner-up St. Vincent-St. Mary was led by Kya Epps (100, 4x100, 200), Nye Kimble (4x100), Malaya Young (4x100) and Lianya Boykin (4x100).
Field’s Emily Davis took home the top prize in discus.
The Fighting Irish also finished second on the boys side, but had multiple event winners in Cali McCray (4x200, 4x100, 400, 4x400), Makhi Pritchett (4x200, 4x100, 4x400), Nasir Madison (4x200, 4x100, 4x400) and Shawn Lodge (4x200, 4x100). Dhiren Brickman was part of the winning 4x400 relay.
Manchester’s Josiah Cox won shot put and teammate Kyle Filkill took home top honors in high jump.
Bedford Division II District
Tallmadge’s Mia Hurst jumped 16 feet, 6½ inches to claim the long jump and teammate Kate Archer cleared 10-6 to win pole vault. Norton’s Morgan Hallett, who had already won shot put earlier in the week, made it a double with a win in discus.
BOYS TENNIS
Northeast Division I District
Jackson’s Alvin Altman beat Warren Harding’s Anthony Paylavlas 6-1, 6-0 to win singles and advance to the state tournament. Walsh Jesuit’s Caleb Miller was third and Highland’s Elijah Handler finished sixth and will advance.
Jackson's Ryan Kelley and Luke Immell finished fourth and Walsh's Michael Ulrich and Michael Vallone finished fifth in doubles action to advance.
GIRLS LACROSSE
Division II, Region 6 quarterfinal
Chardon 14, Archbishop Hoban 6
The fifth-seeded Hilltoppers advanced to a semifinal against top-seeded Chagrin Falls. Angela George (three goals) and Lane Shannon (two) had multi-point games for the Knights.
Division II, Region 5 quarterfinal
CVCA 15, Revere 12
Caroline Gage had a monster game with eight goals for the fourth-seeded Royals (11-6). Aneya Schvartz added three goals and Hannah Lux had two more. Up next is 2021 state runner-up and top seed Rocky River on Tuesday.
BASEBALL
Walsh Jesuit 8, Hilliard Darby 4
Henry Kaczmar and Joey Canzoni each had a home run and three RBIs to pace the Warriors (20-5). Jackson Phelps (5-0) stayed perfect on the mound and Andrew Gormley struck out seven in four scoreless innings.
Hoover 8, St. Vincent-St. Mary 3
Carson Dyrlund was 3-for-3 with two RBIs and Nick Vardavas hit a triple and a double to lead the Vikings (16-7). Mike Bronowski reached base four times for the Fighting Irish (15-11).
Jackson 12, Mayfield 5
The Polar Bears (20-7) received big afternoons from Shea White (single, two runs, three RBIs) and Jack Faflik (single, triple, run, three RBIs). Trent Wertz and Garrett Wright also scored two runs apiece for Jackson.
— Compiled by Jeff Deckerd and Brad Bournival
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Barker, McCray win four district titles; Buchtel, STVM track strong
