Driskel takes state runner-up in discus, breaks Lakewood mark
COLUMBUS — How relaxed was Landry Driskel on Friday? The butterflies did not arrive until after she had accomplished her goal.
The Lakewood senior reached a mark that has been the carrot in front her entire career. Driskel threw a school-record 134-feet-1 to take runner-up in the discus during the Division II state championships at Ohio State.
“I feel like I was more calm. I wasn’t nervous,” Driskel said. “I got a little nervous on the last throw because I just went for it. I was just thinking in my head, ‘Man, I really want to PR.’ ”
Driskel eclipsed the record of 133-11 set by Laura Finkes in 2000. Her runner-up finish is the highest for the Lakewood girls since Finkes’ state title the same year.
Norton’s Morgan Hallett threw a meet-record 170-8 to repeat as champion, but Driskel knew runner-up was up for grabs. She jumped into second for good on her second preliminary throw at 133-2 and eclipsed Finkes on her first throw of the finals.
“I wanted to get second. I really did,” Driskel said. “I knew if I PR’d, I would be very likely to get second. I am just relieved, honestly. I am relieved I got a PR in the last meet. I couldn’t ask for any more. I guess more distance, but that can come later.”
Driskel’s calmness came from her experience. She finished ninth in the event as a sophomore and placed seventh a year ago.
Her calmness also came from her preparation. Driskel, who recently signed with Cleveland State, worked night and day to raise the bar.
“Landry’s put in I don’t know how many hundreds of extra hours to reach this goal,” Lakewood coach Jeff Hartman said. “She has worked harder than most anyone we’ve had here. She deserved what she got today. I am very happy for her. I know she wanted the school record as much as anything.”
Licking Valley junior Trevor Croak finished 15th in the boys shot put (50-2).
During the Division II girls preliminaries, Northridge sophomore Isabel Evans recorded the fastest time in the 300 hurdles (44.89) and also recorded the day’s second-best time in the 100 hurdles (14.71). Senior teammate Colette Patti qualified to the finals in both the 100 (12.14) and 200 (25.36), and she helped classmates Mia Siegenthaler, Darla Dorman and Stephanie Gilmore reach the finals in the 800 relay (1:45.16).
Valley senior Reagan Campbell recorded the third-fastest time in the 400 (57.30) and also qualified in the 200 (25.63).
Granville’s foursome of seniors Lillian Eckels and Zoee Lehman, junior Kara Bergeron and sophomore Sophia Poling finished 11th in the Division I girls 3,200 relay (9:30.46).
During the Division I boys preliminaries, Licking Heights senior D.J. Fillmore broke the stadium record in the 200 (20.71), and he also helped sophomores Jalynn Fillmore and Similoluwa Jaf-ogunlayi and freshman Samolu Cooper record the fastest time in the 400 relay (41.46). Senior teammate Kellen Fields did not qualify for the finals in the 300 hurdles (40.36).
Newark senior Isaiah Potter did qualify for the finals in the 300 hurdles (38.99).
This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Landry Driskel takes OHSAA runner-up in discus, breaks Lakewood mark
