Panezich places in shot put, discus

The sophomore from Springfield is hoping to set eventually a state record.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
DAYTON -- Every year, Springfield sophomore Nick Panezich comes closer to winning a state title.
Panezich placed second in the shot put and fourth in the discus at Friday's Division III state meet at Welcome Stadium.
"It's real nice," he said just before stepping on the podium for the shot put. "I've got two more years. By my senior year, I plan to be pushing past the state record."
Panezich placed sixth in the shot put last year.
"I've still got a lot of work to do," he said. "But I have fun when I'm throwing. I'm going to do everything I can to get better."
Maplewood sophomore Jen Grayson placed third in the girls high jump -- the only other area athlete to place in the top five in Division III in Friday's finals.
Division II
West Branch's 4x800 relay placed fourth, thanks to a strong last leg by senior anchor Lisa Davies. Davies was in ninth place when she started.
"I just tried to pass as many people as I could," she said. "I'm not an 800 specialist, so when I run, I just try to get to the finish line."
Struthers senior Jacquie Trevis jumped 5 feet, 2 inches to place fifth in the high jump in her first appearance at the state meet.
Trevis fell short of her personal best -- she jumped 5-6 at the Metro Athletic Conference meet -- but she was still satisfied.
"I was nervous, but it was fun," she said. "I wanted to at least get in the top five. I don't have any regrets."
Lakeview senior George Washko placed fifth in the shot put.
"It's different to throw here," said Washko, who placed 11th last year. "There's so many people. I'm used to just throwing in front of my parents. You have to keep your cool."
Liberty's 4x100 relay set a state meet record in Friday's preliminary, running 48.97 to break the old record of 49.10 set by Dayton Jefferson in 1981.
Division I
Boardman's 4x800 relay placed third, setting a school record with a time of 9:11.38 to improve on last year's fifth place finish.
"The first lap was really hard," said junior Brittany Durkin, who ran the first leg. "The second lap I wanted to go faster. As soon as I hit that last 100, I started sprinting."
Junior Sarah Grabert ran the second leg, and tried to block out the pain.
"I just though, I really wanted this so bad," she said. "There was no way I was letting up. I was going to get it done."
Junior Jessica Moore -- the only non-returning member of last year's relay -- ran a strong third leg to set up senior Monica Cuevas.
Moore sets up Cuevas
"The first lap, I just had to pass somebody," she said. "I just started sprinting and all I could see was Monica," she said.
Added Cuevas, "Her eyes were so big. It looked like she had just seen a dead body."
Cuevas ran the final leg with a song from church in her head called, "I can do all things through Christ."
"Honest to goodness, I had nothing left," she said.
But it was worth it, she said, and the Spartans were happy to improve on last year's showing.
"Yeah," said Cuevas. "We aim pretty high."