Salem captures Cope meet crown

The Quakers won the overall and Div. II titles and Springfield won in Div. III.
SALEM -- Although the F.E. Cope Invitational boys track and field meet was run in three divisions, Salem High won the Division II and overall titles with 95 points.
North Canton Hoover, the Div. I champ, was second overall with 81 points, while Springfield took Div. III with 46 points at the meet, held Friday at Reilly Stadium.
"Our kids are running great and the distance runners coming off their state cross county title last fall are a big help," said Salem coach Todd Huda, in his second year.
The Quakers got the finals off to a good start as Mike Downs, Lance Murphy, Aiman Scullion and Patrick Gorby won the 4x800-meter relay in 8 minutes, 22.52 seconds.
Special to win at home
"Its always special at home in front of your fans to win a race," said Murphy, a senior.
"We went to state the past two years and didn't win and one of our goals is to go back again and [win]."
Murphy also won the 800 (2:03.1) and anchored the Quakers' winning 4x400 relay (3:37.4).
Scullion was also first in the 1600, finishing in 4:32.4. Scullion was fourth on the final lap before taking the lead over the final meters.
"There was wind on the [east] of the track, so I tucked in behind some runners and on the last lap, I took over down the stretch," said Scullion.
Other winners for the Quakers were Paul Shivers in the 3200 (9:58.3), Drew Matak in the long jump (20 feet, 6 1/4 inches) and Ben Andrea in the 110 high hurdles (15.4).
Provitts lead Harding
Warren Harding brothers Benja'Lan and J'Abneb Provitt placed first and second in both the 100 and 200.
Benja'Lan Provitt set records in winning the 100 (10.73) and 200 (21.87). He also led off the 4x200 relay, and J'Abneb Provitt anchored it. The Raiders won in a record time of (1:30.4).
"We expected to come here and do this," said Benja'Lan Provitt. "My brother and I encourage each other and at some meets we'll probably flip-flop and he'll win."
Nick Panezich of Springfield won the shot put with a record heave (60-7) and the discus (178-7) and was awarded the field events MVP for Div. III.
Chaney's Clarence Howell was named MVP for Div. I field events. He was second in the long jump (20-5 1/4). Salem's Matak was Div. II field events MVP.
Running MVP awards went to Benja'Lan Provitt, Salem's Murphy, and Springfield's Andrew Schuler, Div. III.
Schuler placed second in the 300 hurdles (41.8) and sixth in the 110 hurdles (16.3).