DIVISION I TRACK AND FIELD Boardman relay sets mark; Spartans have 1-point lead

Austintown Fitch leads the boys standings after four events.
By MARK W. MILLER
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
AUSTINTOWN -- Brittany Durkin, Sarah Grabert, Jessica Moore and Monica Cuevas of Boardman High set a record in the 4x800-meter relay, finishing in 9 minutes, 26 seconds, at the Division I district track and field meet Thursday at Falcon Stadium.
The Spartans, after three events, led with 27 points. Crestwood was second with 26.
The Spartans won by about 300 meters and were 31 seconds better then Canfield, which finished second in 9:57.83.
"It was a lot of fun today," said Durkin. "Our coach [Denise Gorski] wanted us to get out and push it. She set goals for our split and we got them."
The Spartans missed the school record by one second and the four girls said they want to run the relay in 9:20 and hopefully make a return trip to state.
Junior Kristen Lauer of Boardman placed second in the high jump (5 feet, 2 inches).
Having cleared that height three other times this season, Lauer said, "I would like to do that or better next week and make it to state."
Bruce Brunig, assistant coach of the Spartans said, "The girls work hard at practice [and] listen, do what they are asked to do and they are excellent students."
Falcons in front
Fitch led the boys standings after four events with 24 points. Lake was second with 22 and Howland third with 21.
Cameron Widget of Chaney won the long jump (21-10) on his second try in the finals.
He was eighth at state (22 feet) last year and said, "I've got some unfinished business at state. I was heart-broken there last year and I don't want that to happen again.
"I struggled a little in the prelims today, then I went back to my old mark and that gave me confidence and I took it from there."
Senior George Fetchko of Howland took first place in the discus with a throw of 161-0.
"I had kind of a down day, but I won and that's all that matters," said Fetchko.
"I've never been to state so I want to do well at next week's regional and hopefully throw in the 170 [foot] range."
Ryan Holcomb of Lake took first place in the pole vault (14-0). Fitch's Dave Medicus (12-6) and Rob Thorndike (11-6) placed third and fourth, respectively.