OHSAA girls track and field: 10 central Ohio storylines from Day 2 of the state meet
It was a record-breaking weekend for Gahanna Lincoln’s Camden Bentley and Highland’s Juliette Laracuente-Huebner in the girls state track and field meet at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.
Bentley repeated as champion in the 100-meter hurdles and 300 hurdles Saturday. Competing on a rain-soaked surface — the Division I finals were delayed twice by storms — she won the 100 hurdles in 13.34 and the 300 hurdles in 42.02.
The Kentucky commit also helped Gahanna’s 1,600 relay to a first-place finish (3:49.38), which secured the Lions’ second consecutive state title. She was joined on the relay by Amryne Chilton, Aliyah Bennett and Keena Sanders.
“It was tough, but me and my girls fought through,” Bentley said as she fought back tears. “We got the first-place team, so I’m so happy. It’s been great this whole year and it’s nice to finish it off this way.”
On Friday in the 100 hurdles preliminaries, Bentley ran a Division I state and state-meet record 13.27.
Gahanna finished with 50 points, seven more than runner-up Mason.
“Mason is loaded and we just did what we do,” Gahanna coach Roger Whittaker said. “Going into the 1,600 relay, I knew our relay was money. I don’t care if they give us lane 12, our 1,600 relay is not going to be denied.”
As the lone qualifier for Highland, Laracuente-Huebner nearly won the Division II state title for the Scots. She won four events, scoring 40 points as Highland finished second behind Peninsula Woodridge (45).
After winning the high jump (5-10 ¾) on Friday, Laracuente-Huebner came back Saturday to win the long jump (19-11), 100 hurdles (13.64) and 200 (24.23). She set Division II state and state-meet records in the high jump, and state-meet and stadium records in the long jump.
“I was pretty happy with my performance,” she said. “Obviously, I wanted more. I wanted that 20 feet (in the long jump), but it still means a lot to me to be able to come out here and set a lot of stadium records and event records. It made me definitely hungry for these running events. I got pissed off (after the long jump) and I was just ready to go out there and attack the hurdles, and I did that.
“In the 200, I knew that I was going to have to take that if I wanted a chance at winning the team title or even getting second, so I just gave it my all and blacked out the last 20 meters and fell to the ground. It was awesome.”
The Cincinnati signee became the second girl in OHSAA history to win four individual events in a state meet.
“The support this weekend was amazing, and I definitely felt the love,” Laracuente-Huebner said. “It was a hot weekend, but I survived.”
In March, Laracuente-Huebner earned the Division II/III indoor state title for Highland, accounting for all of her team’s 40 points by winning the long jump, high jump, triple jump and 60 hurdles.
Bexley’s Smith wins discus
Bexley’s Sydnie Smith closed her prep career by winning her first state title, finishing first in the discus (156-6) in Division I.
“It was very exciting,” Smith said. “I would have probably liked to place a little higher in the shot, but it was a good day. I can’t complain. Today went really well. It means a lot after working on something and finally accomplishing it. I’m really proud of myself.”
Smith, who also was fourth in the shot put (41-9 ½), will compete at Iowa.
Watkins Memorial’s Harvey wins pole vault
Watkins Memorial senior Victoria Harvey earned her first state title, finishing first in the pole vault (13-3) in Division I after being second last season.
“I just had to push myself harder and make sure I got to the No. 1 spot,” Harvey said. “There’s no room for error. I thought about last year a lot.”
DeSales wins 800 relay
In the program’s lone event at state, DeSales’ Katherine Dortmund, Isabella Swallow, McKenzie Amonor and Kenyetietta Quinn won the 400 relay (47.28) in Division I.
“Everything that we worked for, we got,” Quinn said. “I feel like we deserved it. We worked hard. It’s pure excitement.”
Westerville Central’s Pace wins long jump
Central junior Olivia Pace won the Division I long jump (19-2 ¾) but was forced to withdraw from the 200 after injuring her right hamstring while finishing second in the 100 (11.54).
“I just started competing in the long jump this year,” Pace said. “I tried to push through in the 100. I knew I couldn’t run the 200. It hurt too bad.”
The Warhawks finished third (31).
Fairbanks’ Miller makes school history
Fairbanks senior Macey Miller captured the school’s first individual state title in track, winning the Division III high jump (5-5) on Friday.
“It was on my mind going in,” Miller said. “I’ve been jumping these heights all year and I knew I had a chance. I was looking at all the heights and I thought I could do this. ... I love having a lot of competition. It makes me want to win even more.”
Miller, who owns the program record in the high jump (5-6), finished seventh in the 100 hurdles (15.32) and eighth in the 300 hurdles (46.59) on Saturday.
She will play basketball at Ohio Wesleyan.
Hilliard Davidson’s Schulte finishes second in 800
Davidson freshman Celia Schulte had a memorable state debut, finishing second in the 800 (2:11.32) in Division I behind Stow-Munroe Falls' Jayla Atkinson (2:10.74).
Dublin Coffman’s Kylie Feeney was fifth (2:12.46).
Pickerington Central wins 800 relay
Central received several strong performances, highlighted by the 800 relay finishing first in 1:38.49. The relay featured Nevaeh White, Grace Alls, Tenaya Jordan and Jordan Archie.
White, Archie, Lachele Nichloas and Alls were fourth in the 400 relay (47.83).
The Tigers tied Grafton Midview for ninth (18).
Upper Arlington finishes second in 1,600 relay
The Golden Bears closed the meet by finishing second to Gahanna in the 1,600 relay (3:50.31). The relay was comprised of Maggie Robertson, Elaina Schneider, Elizabeth Poling and Clara Reynolds.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: 10 central Ohio girls track storylines from Day 2 of the state meet
