Steele overcomes problem to win

The Fitch shot put champion had a mild case of Bell's palsy.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
AUSTINTOWN -- Austintown Fitch High senior Kevin Steele was sitting in class on Tuesday when he noticed something strange. Basically, he couldn't smile.
"I knew something was wrong," he said. "Only one side of my face would go up."
Turns out, Steele had a mild case of Bell's palsy, a virus that temporarily paralyzes one side of the face -- in this case, his right. For a shot putter, that's a big problem. Especially since Steele throws from the right side.
"It just happened; I'm not really sure how," he said. "My throwing coach, [Joe] Brooks, really helped straighten me out. He gave me a lot of support."
Steele didn't have a good week of practice and he didn't really know what to expect entering Saturday's Optimist Meet at Fitch High.
"I kept thinking I could throw 54-55 [feet], but winning wasn't the main thing," he said.
Threw 54-4 to win
But after not placing at last year's meet, Steele threw 54-4 to place first, beating Cloverleaf's Joe Belding by more than a foot. It was a big confidence boost, and now Steele is looking ahead to the state meet.
"State is the big thing," he said. "I'm hoping to throw 57 [feet]. I honestly think I have the district and regional won, and I really want to compete against the top competitors in Ohio."
Especially since his sister, Marian, made it to state the past two years. And she's quick to remind him.
"She says it all the time," he said with a laugh. "She always says she's better since she made it. I'm just trying to get better."Wadsworth won the team crown with 59 points; North Canton Hoover was second with 46.
Davis leads Howland
Howland junior Tony Davis had just two events, but won both, sort of. Davis (14.95 seconds) edged Boardman's Mark Lipinsky (15.03) to win the 110 hurdles and anchored the winning 4x100 relay. But after the race, the Tigers were disqualified for handing off the baton out of the exchange zone -- something that actually slowed them down.
"I'm real excited because this was such a big meet and there are so many good teams here," Davis said. "I felt real relaxed and calm [before the hurdles], but I knew it would be a close race."
Despite the relay setback, the Tigers appear ready to challenge for the Trumbull County title at this week's county meet.
"Our teamwork is great; everyone is really coming together," Davis said. "We're all friends and family."
Ed Fetuah of Wilson was named MVP of the running events. He took first place in the 400 (49.58) and the 200 (22.5).
Chaney's Cameron Widgette tied for field events MVP honors with a second place in the high jump (6-4) and a third in the long jump (21-0).
scalzo@vindy.com