OHSAA boys track and field: 10 central Ohio storylines from Day 2 of the state meet
If there were any doubts, Hilliard Davidson senior Connor Ackley proved Saturday that he was the best boys distance runner in Ohio in 2022-23.
Ackley won two titles at the Division I state track and field meet at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium, taking the 1,600 meters (4:07.1) and then closing his high school career by finishing first in the 3,200 (9:05.5).
Ackley also won the Division I cross country championship (15:10.1) last fall. Dublin Jerome’s Sam Ricchiuti was runner-up in both the 3,200 (9:06.59) and the cross country meet (15:25.6).
“It’s exactly what I wanted to do this year,” Ackley said. “It feels good to finally get out there and do it. We wanted to get that (distance) double this year (in track). ... It feels good to race hard and get it done today.”
With Ackley's two titles, Davidson tied Licking Heights and Jerome for fifth (20) behind champion Toledo St. John's (35).
Saturday's Division I finals were delayed twice by storms. The meet got underway Friday.
Bexley’s Louis wins 400, 200
Bexley senior Mason Louis used the motivation of an injury during his junior season to come back stronger for his final year, winning a pair of Division II state titles.
After finishing first in the 400 (47.02), Louis came back a short time later to win the 200 (21.14), edging Marion-Franklin's Dawayne Galloway (21.32).
Louis’ time in the 200 set Division II state and state-meet records.
Galloway also finished second in 100 (10.42).
Louis tore his left hamstring while finishing third in the 400 at district last year and missed the remainder of the postseason.
“I was one of the favorites last year,” he said. “It was fuel to the fire. I didn’t want to go to the doctor, but they said we have to bring you in and see what’s going on. They said we can’t let you run, so I got back to work and now I’m here.”
As a sophomore, Louis won the 400 (47.54), placed third in the 100 (11.16) and finished fifth in the 200 (22.46).
Beechcroft’s Douglas sweeps hurdles events
After finishing fifth in the 110 hurdles in Division I last season, Beechcroft’s Jayden Douglas earned his first state title in the event in 13.78.
Westerville Central’s Marcus Gordon Jr. was third (14.18).
Douglas also defended his title in the 300 hurdles, winning in 36.46.
“This means a lot,” he said. “For me, it’s just not about my team. I’m from the City (League). ... It means a lot for the City. We want to rebuild the City to what is used to be, a powerhouse.”
Beechcroft finished fourth (24) in the team standings.
Lancaster’s Edwards, Lang reach state podium
Seniors Daniel Edwards and Lukas Lang helped lead Lancaster to third place (28) in the Division I meet, finishing first (16-4) and third (16-0), respectively, in the pole vault.
Both were friendly rivals all season, trading the top spot in several meets.
“We’ve been friends since preschool and came together to do the same sport in high school,” Edwards said. “We found a lot of joy in it and kept pushing the bar higher every single day, and we ended up placing (on the) podium in the state. It was a good day, very close to my (personal record of 16 4 ¾).”
Lang finished fourth (15-0) at state last season.
Lane sparks Pickerington Central to second place
Senior Troy Lane helped lead 2022 team champion Central to a second-place finish (29) by defending his state title in the 100 (10.44) and taking third in the 200 (21.29), an event he won last year.
St. John’s clinched the team title by winning the 1,600 relay (3:13.94).
“It was hard because we had over an hour rain delay,” Lane said. “For the 200, I can always improve. I’m happy to end my (prep) career. ... I feel like I’m blessed.”
Olentangy Liberty’s Eckert wins tight 800 race
Liberty senior Jaxson Eckert earned his first state title, edging Lancaster’s Colton Thress in a photo finish in the 800. Eckert finished in 1:50.973 and Thress clocked 1:50.975.
“I knew (Thress) was coming,” Eckert said. “He’s the biggest competition I have. I would never have been able to do this without him. He pushed me all season. He pushed me indoor. This is my first year running the 800 and I competed against the best of the best. ... I raced my heart out here today.”
Licking Heights’ Fillmore wins two events
Senior D.J. Fillmore won the 200 (20.8) and long jump (25-¼), scoring 20 points to give Licking Heights a tie for fifth in Division I.
Fillmore also ran on the ninth-place 400 relay (45.57).
Bloom-Carroll's Chittum wins shot put
Bloom-Carroll senior Dylan Chittum won his first state title, finishing first in the shot put (60-9 ¾) in Division I. He also was eighth in the discus (157-6).
He finished fourth in the shot put last season.
“I saw what I needed to do and put a goal for myself to go over 60 feet and get that first place, and that’s what I did this year,” he said.
Gahanna Lincoln wins tight 400 relay
Gahanna won a close 400 relay (1:25.86), edging Cincinnati Moeller (1:26.14) and St. John’s (1:26.7).
The relay consisted of Romearo Wells, Maxwell Cummings, Andrew Pizzico and Makai Shahid.
Tree of Life’s Oppong reaches podium in two events
Competing in his first state meet, Tree of Life sophomore Gabe Oppong finished third in the 100 (10.85) and fourth in the 200 (22.22) in Division III.
“Next year I’ll be here for sure going for first place,” he said. “I liked it here.”
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: 10 central Ohio boys track storylines from Day 2 of the state meet
