Friday, April 4, 2003
Sprinters look to be the focus of the new season.
By MARK W. MILLER
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
This could be the year of the sprinter in the high school boys track and field season.
Some area athletes may be dashing into school records of 10.5 seconds or better in the boys 100-meter races and challenging the 21-second time zone for 200 meters.
It could happen, as area athletes set their sights on earning berths for June's state championships in Dayton.
Competitors
In Division I, Warren Harding has veterans Tjawonkher Davis (10.7 seconds, 22.0) and Rob Massucci (10.8, 21.9), respectively, in the two dashes.
In pursuit will be Austintown Fitch's Davanzo Tate (10.8, 22.1 and 50.3 for the 400) and Miles Williams (11.2, 22.1).
Warren Harding's returning quarter-miler, Treymayne Warfield, ran an area-best 48.4.
Wilson's Edward Fetuah has excelled in the 200 (22.1) and 400 (50.3), and teammate Kenneth Adams should be strong in the 100 (11.3) and 200 (22.8).
Other top returning sprinters include Brookfield's Lou Scudere (10.9 and 22.4), Lowellville's Andy Peterson (11.7 and 22.9), Campbell Memorial's Darren Johnson (11.2), Lisbon's Keith West (11.2 and 22.9) and Logan Ponezel (11.3), Howland's James Justice (11.3) and Poland's Scott Steiner (22.9).
Chaney senior Cameron Widget posted the area's best effort (22 feet, 31/2 inches) in the long jump last year and could top 23 feet this season.
Throwing threat
Springfield sophomore Nick Panezich is one of the best throwers in the state. He has 60 feet in the shot put and 170 feet in the discus in his sights.
Boardman has several veterans returning, including hurdlers Rich Lepore and Mark Lipinsky, whose times of 14.4 and 14.8, respectively, in the 110 highs were among the area's best last year.
Warren Harding's Antwaun Molden (14-8), Poland's Marc Carbon (15.1), Howland's Antonio Davis (15.1) and Chaney's Dennis Brown (15.3) also have recorded strong performances.
The Raiders' Anthony Hoke, at a recent indoor meet, tossed the shot put 54-4.
Warren Harding coach Dan Reardon, starting his third year, has turned the Raiders' program around, winning back-to-back Trumbull County track and field titles -- the only ones in school history.