DIVISION II Local girls earn All-Ohio honors

A Hubbard senior finally placed in the top six on her third trip to the state meet.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
DAYTON -- Some people are intimidated by the state track and field meet. Not Ursuline freshman Cierra Bennett.
"It's just like another track meet, just with harder runners," Bennett said.
Bennett placed third in Division II in the 400-meter Saturday and was part of Ursuline's sixth-place 4x400 relay team with Jessica Kausits, Amber Miller and Tiffany Walsh.
"I wanted to show that just because I'm an underclassman doesn't mean I can't come here and do well," Bennett said.
East Palestine senior Alex Casi finished third in the long jump, fourth in the 300 hurdles, fifth in the 100 and sixth in the 200 to earn All-Ohio honors in four events.
The top four in each event earn All-Ohio.
Previous honors
Casi won the long jump in 1999 and 2001 and finished runner-up in 2000.
"I just said to my brother that this is the first time I didn't finish one or two [in the long jump]," Casi said. "I can accept it a little better now. My sophomore year, it ruined the rest of my day. I won't let that happen again."
Hubbard senior Nyelia Page placed sixth in the shot put. It was Page's third straight trip to the state meet, but her first time on the podium.
"I like coming down here," she said. "It was my goal to get top six and I'm happy with it." She added that she was about to call her mom, Charlene.
Will she be happy with how you did?
"She'll start screaming," Page said with a laugh.
Determination
Lakeview junior Heather Lewis placed fourth in the discus. She made it to state as a freshman but failed to qualify last year.
"I told myself I just wanted to stand up there [on the podium]," she said.
Mooney's 4x200 relay team of Gina Ortiz, Jenna Polkovitch, Anna Novosel and Lori Patrone placed seventh. Beaver Local sophomore Paula Ferry placed fifth in the long jump.
West Branch junior Jen Hively placed fifth in the 100 hurdles. The Warriors' 4x400 relay team of Vallie Scott, Bobbi Cameron, McKenzie Wallace and Jen Weingart placed fifth.