Lancaster boys, Davidson girls among top 5 storylines in Columbus-area high school track
With the regular season winding down, boys and girls track and field teams are preparing for what is expected to be a highly competitive postseason.
Central District meets in divisions I, II and III begin May 16 and conclude May 20. Regional meets begin May 24 and conclude May 27, and the state meet is June 2 and 3 at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.
In Division I, the Pickerington Central boys and Gahanna Lincoln girls will be looking to repeat as state champions.
Here are five storylines involving central Ohio teams:
1. Lancaster boys eye successful postseason
With a deep and balanced roster, the Golden Gales could be the team to beat in central Ohio.
The program has a rich history, having won its 37th district title a season ago. The Gales have won six regional titles, with the last coming in 1990, and captured the Class AAA state championship in 1980.
They also finished second at state in 1979, 1981, 1985 and 2012.
“When it comes to being viewed as a regional contender, we take it as an honor and recognition of the work we’ve put in and the accomplishments we’ve been able to achieve since we started our indoor season in December,” coach Joseph Moorhead said. “We don’t feel any added pressure as we already have high expectations. Our kids have done a great job so far of trusting their training and coaches and keeping their focus on process goals rather than outcome.”
Lancaster won the Division I indoor state meet March 4.
The Gales have excelled in the field events this spring, led by senior pole vaulters Lukas Lang, Daniel Edwards and Brody Ehorn.
Lang and Edwards combined to break the program record in the two-man pole vault, each jumping 15-6 for a combined height of 31-0 in helping Lancaster win the Fulton Relays on April 21 at home.
Edwards established the program record (16-4 ¾) while winning the event April 11 at Watkins Memorial. He also finished first in the Joe Lenge Classic (16-0) on April 15 at Dublin Coffman and the Stingel Invitational (15-6) on April 8 at Pickerington North.
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Lang, a Youngstown State commit, tied for fourth at state (14-10) last spring. He finished second (15-9) behind Edwards (16-0) in the indoor state meet.
“We still have a lot of goals and season left before tournament time, including the league championships that we host in two weeks,” Moorhead said. “As coaches, it’s our job to think ahead while keeping the kids focused on the present task.”
Lancaster hosts the OCC-Buckeye and OCC-Ohio meets May 11 and 13. The Gales are in the OCC-Buckeye.
2. Caitlyn Jones leading Hilliard Davidson girls
The distance runners again have been key contributors for the Wildcats, led by this senior Virginia Tech commit.
Jones established a meet record of 2:16.68 in the 800 meters in the Joe Lenge Classic at Coffman. Davidson finished first (102.5) in the team standings, ahead of runner-up Olentangy Liberty (72).
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Last season at state, Jones placed fifth in the 1,600 (4:58.9) and ran on the second-place 3,200 relay (9:14.61) as the Wildcats tied for sixth.
“This year has been going pretty well,” coach Matt Beatty said. “We have had some underclassmen step up and really help out and we have a nice mix right now. We are also starting to find some depth and hope that our injuries heal up so we can be at full strength come tournament time.”
3. Westerville Central’s Olivia Pace establishes sprint records
It’s been another record-breaking season for the Warhawks junior sprinter.
She eclipsed her program record in the 100 (11.69) in the New Albany Invitational on April 14. Her previous record was 11.71, set last season when she finished second at state.
She also established a program record in the 200 (24.44) at New Albany, and helped the 1,600 relay record a season-best time of 3:58.65.
“Olivia has come into this season with a focus and drive that is unmatched,” coach David Mentlow said. “She has worked hard and competed extremely well.”
The Warhawks scored 31 points at state last year to finish second behind Gahanna (47).
4. Jaystin Gwinn sets program record for Westerville Central boys
It’s also been a record-setting season for the Warhawks boys as sophomore Jaystin Gwinn set a program record in the high jump (6-5) while winning a home meet April 11.
Gwinn, the quarterback for Central's football team, was 12th in the high jump (6-4) last season at state.
The Warhawks finished first (132.5) ahead of runner-up Gahanna (128.2) in the New Albany Invitational and won the Olentangy Berlin Invitational on April 7 with 140 points.
Buckeye family ties: Relatives of former Ohio State football players, including Jaystin Gwinn, dot Columbus-area high school rosters
5. Gahanna Lincoln boys enjoying strong season
Gahanna coach Shawn Johnston has been pleased with his team’s effort.
The Lions have received strong performances from their sprinters, distance runners and field athletes.
“We have made progress in almost every area as a team,” Johnston said. “Each unit has been breaking personal records every week, which ultimately means we are on the verge of breaking barriers. That is when team records are set, so they are coming.”
The 400 relay of Andrew Pizzico, Makai Shahid, Romearo Wells and Thomas Newby (41.88) and 800 relay of Maxwell Cummings, Pizzico, Shahid and Newby (1:26.97) both are ranked first in the state. Brandon Ivery, Ty Staples, Cummings and Newby are fifth in the state in the 1,600 relay (3:22.95).
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: 5 storylines in central Ohio high school track and field
