Springfield junior brings home state gold in discus and shot put

Nick Panezich's next goal is to set the state records for Division III.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
COLUMBUS -- Springfield High junior Nick Panezich tried to treat Saturday's state meet like any other meet.
Two years ago, he didn't.
"My first year, I was so nervous, I could hardly throw," he said. "The nerves were still there this year because it's still a state meet, but I'm a lot more relaxed now."
And he's a lot better now.
Panezich won the shot put and the discus in Division III to become the first Springfield athlete to win a state championship since Frank Parks won two titles in 1953.
"It feels amazing," he said.
Panezich threw 59 feet, 9 inches in the shot put to edge Ottoville senior Matt Knippen (58-6). Panezich placed second in the shot last season and sixth as a freshman.
"I was a little nervous on my first couple throws," he said. "That was the [title] I really wanted to get because I knew I'd have some tough competition. I knew some guys would be pushing me."
Leetonia junior Aaron Merrill (56-4 3/4) was fourth, Wellsville junior John Martin (51-6 1/2) was seventh and Lisbon junior Dominic DeFilippo (5-1-1 1/4) was ninth.
Discus
Panezich cruised in the discus, throwing 184-2 to win the event by almost 15 feet over Columbus Grove junior Blaine Maag (169-5). Panezich finished fourth in the event last season.
Maplewood junior Justin Wajda (163-6) was fourth, DeFilippo (160-8) took sixth and Merrill (159-0) placed seventh.
"Our district is unbelievable," said Panezich. "We have so many good throwers and you're going against them all the time. We always cheer each other on.
"It helps to have friends here. You can support each other."
With his main goals out of the way, Panezich will turn his attention to the state record books -- the Div. III state meet records in the discus (190-4) and the shot put (62-0 3/4).
"I want to set both Ohio records in Div. III," he said. "It'd be nice to get all divisions, but there are some pretty impressive marks. Hopefully, I can get the all-division record in the discus."
Akron Ellet's Charles Moye Jr. holds the overall state discus record, throwing 204-5 at Fitch Stadium in 1987.