Believe it! Struthers relay team wins 100-meter title

The Wildcats erased the bitter taste from earlier losses to Warrensville Heights.
By KURT SNYDER
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
COLUMBUS -- The Struthers High 4x200-meter relay team finally looked like it would get over the Warrensville Heights hump, but sophomore anchor Justin Penson was nosed out for the title in the final 20 meters.
The same quartet of Penson, fellow sophomores Eric Anderson and Larry Wylie, and junior Ty Campana left no doubt in the 4x100-meter relay. Struthers edged out Warrensville Heights for the Division II 4x100-meter relay title with a time of 43.04 Saturday at the state track and field championships at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium. The Wildcats had lost both races to Warrensville Heights last week at the regional meet in Ravenna. The Wildcats' 4x100 was also disqualified at the regional meet last year.
Anderson, the team's leadoff runner, yelled "I can't believe it!" and "no way!" several times while the Wildcats waited for their awards. But Penson said as soon as the 4x200 ended, he knew the 4x100 would be their race.
"Once we ended the 4x200, we were all like, 'We will get them in the next one.' We just ran our time," Penson said.
Coach's comments
The Wildcats had turned in a faster preliminary time than Warrensville Heights Friday. Struthers coach Mark Carden said that performance showed his team Warrensville Heights could be beaten.
"It's growing into a rivalry," he said. "Last year, we were right next to them at regionals, and we missed an exchange. At regionals this year, they got us in both; it was real tight. Yesterday in the semifinals, we beat them in the 4x100, and it really fired us up."
Campana was the third runner on the 4x200 but had the responsibility of anchor on the 4x100. He said once his teammates got him the lead, he had no thoughts of giving it up.
"If you get the lead, you have to make sure you keep it the whole time," he said. "It would be a big disappointment if everyone worked hard, and (you lost it)."
Carden said the Wildcats' attitude separated them from the other seven teams.
"Sometimes it's not about what your legs have but about what you have inside," he said. "My guys are sophomores and juniors, but they came down here and acted as though they have been here every year."
300-meter hurdles
In the Division II 300-meter hurdles, Ursuline junior Derrick Stewart ran a personal-best time of 37.81 to finish third in the event for the second consecutive year. Stewart said he could not be disappointed with the finish because he dropped from the 39-second range where he was stuck most of the season.
"I'm proud of myself," Stewart said. "This was a huge step."
Both hurdlers that beat Stewart last year were in the race again this year. Two-time state placer Greg Keys of Bellevue will be back next year along with second-place finisher Jared Martin of Clyde. But at least two-time champion Austin Wechter of Shelby will be graduated. Stewart said he is looking to use the momentum to build on next year despite the returning placers.
"Huge competition," he said. "At least I have next year to look forward to."
Lakeview senior Justin Rush finished fourth in the 110-meter high hurdles with a 14.71. He was also a member of Lakeview's 4x100-meter relay team which finished sixth with a time of 43.76. Campbell senior Darrin Johnson finished seventh in 100-meter dash with a time of 11.17.
ksnyder@vindy.com