Sunday, October 27, 2002
The Maplewood boys won the Division III state title in commanding fashion.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
COLUMBUS -- Maplewood High senior John Palmer made the pact with his teammates at last November's state meet.
The Rockets, dissatisfied with finishing second behind McDonald, vowed to return in a year's time -- and come home with the title.
"That was the driving factor through the winter," Palmer said. "It's all we thought about."
Maplewood's yearlong progression began with obsession, and ended with a succession of sky blue jerseys, packed together, storming to its first state title since 1997.
State champion
The Rockets cruised to the Division III state title, beating McDonald 48-85 at Saturday's state meet at Scioto Downs. It was the fourth straight year that a Trumbull County team has won the Div. III title.
"This year we weren't going to settle for anything less than No. 1," Maplewood coach Ted Rupe, whose brother Chris coaches McDonald, said. "We had to do it this year."
Senior Derek Armstrong, one of four Rocket seniors, placed ninth, followed by junior Paul Moser (15th), Palmer (18th), senior Terry Rush (34th) and Rupe's son Craig (35th).
"No matter how many times you run here, you still get nervous," said Armstrong, who finished a disappointing 69th at state last year. "You just have to push through it."
Senior Luke Bottoroff placed 55th and junior James Hall took 97th.
"We wanted the other Rupe to get a victory," said Bottoroff. "He wouldn't admit it, but it had to be hard for him. McDonald will almost surely win it next year, so we had to win it this year."
Blue Devils' best
Blue Devil senior Joe Kunkel placed 17th to lead McDonald, which also won a state title in 1999 and finished second to Girard in 2000.
"I would like to think that somebody can keep it in Trumbull County next year," Chris Rupe said with a smile. "The key word is somebody. We knew we had a target on our back all year and [Maplewood] used it for something positive. They're just a very good team."
The Rockets, who have been ranked No. 1 in the state all season, showed little emotion immediately after the race. They thought they had the title, but had to wait 15 minutes for the official word.
"It was nerve-racking," Rush said. "You want to know so bad. When I heard it, it just sent chills through my body."
South Range sophomore Dan Nemergut placed 32nd to lead the Raiders to a 10th-place finish.
Jackson-Milton junior Luke McCluggage finished an area-best fifth -- thanks to an impressive ending kick -- and Leetonia senior Danny Simpson took 19th.
The top 25 individuals earned all-Ohio honors, with the top 15 earning a spot on the podium.
"I didn't really know what to expect," McCluggage said. "I just felt great the whole race. When I got to the last 300 meters, I said 'Why leave anything here?' "
McCluggage, who won the district title, is the first Bluejay to advance to the state meet since Dave Edwards, who finished 45th in 1996. McCluggage is Jackson-Milton's most successful runner since Patty Metzler, who won state titles in 1980-81 and still owns two state records.
"He's turned some heads," Bluejays coach Ron Malmfeldt, who has just two other runners on the boys team, said. "I think he'll help build our program. The other kids look up to him and he does a good job motivating them."
In Div. II, Salem senior Shane Harding finished 30th to lead area runners. Mooney senior Erik Moss placed 40th and East Palestine senior Aaron Allison, who won the district meet, placed 44th.
scalzo@vindy.com