Fitch's Tate sprint king

The Falcon standout won the 100-, 200- and 400-meters.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
AUSTINTOWN -- Davanzo Tate has a boxer's build and a fighter's mentality.
So you'll have to forgive him if he didn't take too much time enjoying his wins in the 100-, 200- and 400-meter dashes at the Mahoning County track and field meet Wednesday at Austintown Fitch High School.
He's got bigger goals.
"I'm just trying to get in shape for the end of the year," Tate, a junior, said. "That's all that matters anyway."
After advancing to the regional meet last year, Tate won't be satisfied with less than a state berth this spring. The Falcons held their own against a strong Warren Harding sprint team last week -- "I had the best meet of my career," he said -- and Tate ran 10.9 second in the 100 on Wednesday to tie the meet record.
"Right now, I'm feeling kind of tired," Tate, who was also part of the winning 4x400 relay. "But we've had a pretty good output so far and all our sprinters have been practicing hard."
Overall champs
Boardman won the overall title with 387 points and Fitch took second with 2991/2. Mooney won the Division II title with 174 points and South Range won the Div. III title with 1181/2.
Boardman junior Russ Waller continued his hot start by winning the 1600 and 3200. He's shaved 11 seconds off his mile time from last year and 25 seconds off his 3200 time.
"The main difference is I've done a lot of stretching," he said. "I started seeing a therapist once a week last year and I kept at it. At first it was to prevent injury, but I realized I could drop some time with it."
Waller, and teammate Tom Albani, who took second in the 1600 and 3200, have dominated the distance events this year. Waller was named MVP of the Ward Invitational a few weeks ago.
"I've been a little surprised," he said of the fast start. "I didn't think it would make quite as much difference."
Field leaders
Boardman senior Evan Beard won the shot put and senior teammate Steve Vallos won the discus.
Spartan sophomore Mark Lipinsky won the 110 hurdles and Boardman won the 4x100 and 4x800 relays.
Struthers senior Luke Moore won the 800, Poland junior Marc Carbon won the 300 hurdles and Fitch sophomore Dave Medicus won the pole vault. Mooney senior Anthony King won the long jump.
Chaney sophomore Richard Okello tied a personal best in the high jump, leaping 6-foot-2 to finish first.
"I practiced pretty hard during the week," he said. "It feels pretty good."
Chaney got new high jump equipment this season and Okello wants to reach two goals before graduating -- breaking Chaney's school record of 6-6 and making it to state.
"I started jumping back in junior high and I want to go to state this year," he said. "Hopefully, I'll make it."
scalzo@vindy.com