DIVISION I TRACK Widget leaps his way to success

The Chaney senior long jumper won the Division I state title.
By BRIAN RICHESSON
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
DAYTON -- Cameron Widget had spent almost two hours in the hotel swimming pool when he heard a familiar voice echo throughout the room.
"Widget!" the coach's voice boomed. "What the heck are you doing in the pool? You're going to wear your legs out!"
Widget, Chaney High's senior standout long jumper, spent the rest of the night watching the NBA Finals.
He then went to sleep, dreaming about winning a state championship.
Saturday at Welcome Stadium, there was no need for Widget to have any more dreams. He found a way to become part of them.
State glory
By leaping 23 feet, 61/4 inches in the Division I state meet, Widget captured the title that he longed for.
Born in Beaver Falls, Pa., raised in Kentucky and nurtured at Chaney beginning as a sophomore, Widget did all he could to bring notoriety to the school and his teammates.
"I said last time that I had unfinished business," said Widget, moments after stepping down from the top spot on the podium.
Widget finished eighth in the state meet last season and vowed to return for his senior year.
"When I stepped off the podium last year, I was excited, but it was watered down," he said. "I wanted to be at the top."
Saturday, Widget sensed he was on the verge of something great.
"I knew I had it in me," he said. "I've jumped so many times at practice."
The winning mark, which also re-broke Widget's school record of 22-31/2, came on his second jump of the finals, but it didn't happen without some confusion.
"When I first jumped, I thought I went 22 [feet], and they put 22 on the board," Widget said. "But one of the [officials] there said, 'No, it's 23.' I turned around and I'm like, 'Oh my God!' "
At that point, did Widget think he had the state championship secured?
"In the long jump, there's no guarantees," he said. "There could be a guy behind you who could tear it up in a matter of seconds."
Working with Widget
Widget credited his personal drive and the motivation he received from his coaches as factors in winning the state championship. Football coach Ron Berdis even helped him with strength training.
"Our school is all about football," Widget said, "so I hope this brings a little recognition to the track and field team and to my teammates."
One of Widget's teammates is Clarence Howell, a sophomore long jumper who qualified for this year's regional meet. Widget didn't jump this weekend without thinking about Howell's future.
"He has a lot of potential," Widget said. "Before I left Youngstown, I told him that I was going to put that record so far out there that he would have to work his butt off to get it."
richesson@vindy.com