DIVISION II TRACK Poland wins relay, record in reach

Salem's 4x800 relay and Struthers senior Alan Daniels also qualified for the state meet.
By MARK W. MILLER
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
RAVENNA -- Sarah Anderson, Rachelle Pavelko, Lauren Fithian and Colleen Moran, Poland High's girls 4x800-meter relay, is headed for the Division II state track and field meet next week.
The four athletes took first place in 9 minutes, 38.37 seconds at the regional meet Wednesday at Ravenna High Stadium.
Michelle Wardle, Poland's distance running coach said, "That time was one tenth of a second off the school record. It was a little windy, that might have been the reason we didn't get it."
Pavelko, a senior who is headed to Ohio Northern where she'll continue her track career, added, "We ran hard and didn't get the record, but at state next week we'll try and do just that."
Moran, a senior who is going to Bowling Green, said, "North Bend Taylor won the 4x800 at state last year. At district last week, they won in 9:42 and we won in 9:39.
"Kettering Alter was second at state a year ago and they have one of the best times this year."
Wellington took the early lead in the standings and led with 16 points after three events. Aurora was second with 13, Poland, Medina Buckeye and Bay Village were tied for third with 10.
The top four in each event qualified for the state meet in Columbus.
Quakers relay second
Patrick Gorby, Aiman Scullion, Paul Shivers and Lance Murphy of Salem placed second in the boys 4x800 relay (8:05). Field took first place (8:02.6).
"We were disappointed that we finished second," said Lance Murphy of the Quakers. "Paul Shivers has been a little sick and we really didn't run smart.
"We beat Field last week at district."
"Walsh Jesuit beat us in cross country at regional last year, then we beat them at state," said Murphy.
"Walsh Jesuit has the best time this year in the 4x8 so we want to go after that title at state."
Murphy also said that the Quakers would like to set the school record (7:54) at Columbus.
Struthers' Daniels advances
Alan Daniels of Struthers placed third in the discus (167 feet, 5 inches) to earn his state berth. He made that distance on his last throw in the finals and said he almost fouled.
"I had a couple of throws in the preliminaries where I fouled that were probably 170 feet or better," said Daniels. "It will take a throw of 180 to win and 170 to just compete at state."
Painesville Harvey led the boys standings after four events with 18 points. Wellington was second with 12.
All running finals and some other field events are Friday at 5 p.m.