GIRLS REGIONAL TRACK Monica Cuevas sets record in 800

She has been dominant in the event since switching over from the 400.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
AUSTINTOWN -- Monica Cuevas' 800-meter running career started with a bike ride.
Last summer, the Boardman junior-to-be rode a bike to the house of her coach, Denise Gorski. After watching her finish fifth at the regional in the 400 last spring, Gorski wanted Cuevas to switch to the 800.
"I didn't really want to hear it at the time," Cuevas said. "But I listened because I know she's a good coach. I figured that I'd have one more year after this in case I hated [the 800] and wanted to switch back."
That seems unlikely.
Cuevas broke her own school record in the 800 Saturday, finishing in 2 minutes, 12.90 seconds to win by five seconds at the Division I regional at Fitch High's Falcon Stadium.
Boardman finished third overall behind Canton GlenOak and Cleveland Heights.
"I'm so happy," she said. "I was pretty confident before the race, but I always get paranoid that I'll trip or some girl will sprint by me.
"It's always good to get a little scared."
Another record setter
Boardman junior Allison Brager broke her own school record and set a regional record in the pole vault with a jump of 10 feet, 3 inches.
This is the first year for girls' pole vault.
Her teammate, Brian Zorman, qualified for state in the event on Thursday. Since then, she's been feeling the pressure to do the same.
"I couldn't sleep Thursday night or last night," she said. "But once I got over the first height, I relaxed. I have this thing about opening heights."
Brager is good friends with East Palestine senior Alex Casi -- the reigning Division II state champion in the long jump.
"After I cleared 9-3 at districts, her dad called and left a message on my answering machine saying, 'I'll see you in Dayton,' " Brager said. "That really encouraged me."
Steele second in discus
Fitch senior Marian Steele, who finished 12th in the state last year, took second in the discus. The top four in each event advanced to next weekend's state tournament in Dayton.
"I just want to thank all my coaches -- Brooks, Martin, Kilpatrick, Iagulli and Reedy," Steele said.
Five coaches?
"Well, they're not all throwing coaches," she said. "But they all watch me throw. My coaches, my family and my friends have all been so encouraging this year."
Boardman sophomore Amber Bland finished second in the 200 and fourth in the 100. She finished second in the high jump on Thursday.
"I'm excited, but it's going to be different competing in three events," Bland, last year's state high jump champion, said. "I don't know if I'll be nervous. I think I'll be more worried about missing an event."
The extra events will allow her to do what she loves -- compete.
"I'm very competitive," she said. "And it's great knowing I'll be going against the best."
scalzo@vindy.com