S. Range senior passes commencement

By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
DAYTON -- Julie Nemergut knew she would have to make personal sacrifices to succeed in track, but this is a little ridiculous.
The South Range senior missed her high school graduation ceremony Saturday so she could run the 1600-meter at the Division III state track and field meet at Welcome Stadium.
No problem. She had her own day to remember.
Nemergut, who will run track and cross country at Edinboro University next year, finished seventh with a personal best time of 5:17.81 to earn All-Ohio honors. Her sister, Kim, won the 1600 as a junior two years ago.
Nemergut was the only female on her team at the meet.
"But Kim came, and I still consider her a teammate," Nemergut said. "It was so much fun, and I'm really excited about making it on the podium [for being in the top eight]. That was my goal."
Shot put
Mineral Ridge senior Tiffany Hack placed fourth in the shot put. Hack played softball the past three years before switching to the shot this spring.
"If I could go back, I wouldn't change anything," Hack, who also played volleyball and basketball, said. "I had a good time playing softball and I liked the shot. This year has been a lot of fun."
Christen Clemson, who won her second straight discus title on Friday, placed sixth in the shot put.
Lordstown senior Emily Freudenrich placed third in the 800. Freudenrich led for most of the race but was passed in the final 10 meters and fell just in front of the finish line. She quickly got to her feet and finished the race.
McDonald junior Jenn Wenhold finished fifth in the 3200 and Katrina Brickner, a senior at Lisbon, placed seventh in the 3200.
Leetonia junior Marci Mancuso placed 14th in the long jump.
Minster won the team title, and Gates Mills Hawken was runner-up.