Athletes exceed 2003 efforts

By MARK W. MILLER
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
The top track and field marks for eight boys events established in 2003 were bettered by area athletes this past season. There was also one tie.
Three-time state qualifier Nick Panezich , a junior from Springfield High, had his best 2003 effort of 57 feet, 4 3/4 inches in the shot put. He bettered that at the Division III state meet this season (59-9), and he also had the area's top mark in the discus (192-0).
Some athletes coming back next year to challenge him for area honors will be Daniel Cofojohn of Southeast, Aaron Merrill of Leetonia, Dominic DeFilippo of Lisbon and Dan Kinsey of Leetonia.
In the hurdles
In the 300 intermediate hurdles, Eric Anderson of Struthers (40.8), Levi Leigh of Mineral Ridge (39.9), Derrick Stewart of Ursuline (38.9) and Dan Kinsey of Beaver Local (39.84) will return to try and top the 2003 mark of 37.7, held by Lakeview's Scott Stewart.
Nobody came close to the area's best 800 mark of 1:54.3 -- by McDonald's Kevin Stonestreet last season -- but Casey Toric of Poland and Noah Boak of Mooney (1:57.66) will return next season.
Dan Nemergut of South Range recorded the top mark of 9:44.9 in the 3200 in 2003 and had a 9:57 effort this season. He'll be back in 2005 to run that event and the 1600.
Junior Aiman Scullion of Salem (9:45.32) and sophomore Andy Arnio of Maplewood (9:42.5) will return.
Girls
Only three girls events from 2003 were bettered this past season -- the shot put, 400 and long jump.
With a time of 56.6 in the 400, Emily Wollet of Canfield improved on her 2003 effort (57.6). The best shot put toss (38-2), by Warren JFK's Michelle Rossio, was bettered by Salem's Aubree Horning (40-1).
One of the area's all-time great female sprinters, junior Cachet Murray of Girard, a three-time 100- and 200-meter champion, will be back.
She won the Div. II state long jump title this season with a 19-foot, 1 1/4-inch effort and just may be the first area girl ever to go 20 feet next year.
State records.
Her winning state records this past season were in the 100 (11.82) and 200 (24.05), which were the area's best marks.
Latalia Jones of Chaney, who will be a junior in 2005, is another outstanding sprinter. Her best 2004 marks in the 100 and 200 were 12.39 and 25.3, respectively.
Katie Betts of Lakeview, Amanda Scott of West Branch, Antonette Smith of Chaney, Charity Montford of Salem and Brittany Bako of Champion will also be veteran sprinters returning for 2005.
Jen Grayson of Maplewood, a veteran state qualifier in the 100 hurdles (15.22), 300 hurdles (44.74) and high jump (5-7 1/4), will be back next year.
Amber Ferraro of Poland and Rachel Crafton of Hubbard will return for the hurdles as the girls try to better the 2003 top marks of 14.8 and 44.1.