Thursday, May 26, 2005
The same four discus throwers claimed the spots at the Division III regional track and field meet.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
NAVARRE -- OK, gather around. You're about to join in on a conversation between four Columbus-bound discus throwers trying to figure out why in the world this area has so many good throwers.
For the second straight year, Springfield's Nick Panezich, Leetonia's Aaron Merrill, Lisbon's Dom DeFilippo and Maplewood's Justin Wajda claimed the top four spots at Wednesday's Division III regional track and field meet at Fairless High School.
They're all good. They're all seniors. They're all from this area.
Is it coincidence? Competition? Coaching? Some other C-word?
"We just have a lot of good throwers," said Merrill, "and they just happen to be from our area."
OK, let's start with competition. Does that help?
"Definitely," Merrill, who placed fourth on Wednesday with a throw of 155 feet, 4 inches, said. "There's no way each of us would be as good as we are without each other."
"Well, maybe Nick would," said Wajda, who was third with a throw of 160-7.
No. 1, but not by a lot
Panezich, last year's state champion in the shot put and discus, is the unquestioned king of area throwers.
But the other three aren't far behind.
"But if I didn't have anyone to chase and if there wasn't anyone chasing me, I'd be happy throwing 160 [feet]," said DeFilippo, who placed second, throwing 165-8. "But I can't do that because I know I have these guys."
"Of course, we're always playing catch-up with [Panezich]," Merrill said.
"Yeah, and I can hang with these guys in the discus, but when we throw the shot, I just crawl into the corner and cry," DeFilippo said.
OK, OK. Competition helps. What else?
"It's the water," DeFilippo said.
"No, it's Dom's jacket," Panezich said, pointing to DeFilippo's jeans jacket.
"Dude, I'm cold," DeFilippo said. "I don't care what you say. Leave me alone."
"Seriously, I don't know," Panezich, who placed first with a throw of 176-7, said. "It's a lot of hard work and dedication."
OK, competition leads to hard work, which leads to improvement, which makes everyone better. Unfortunately, it does have a few drawbacks. Competing in such a tough district (and regional) means it's harder to be a district (or regional) champion.
"That ticks me off personally because I know of four districts across the state where they didn't even throw 155 [feet]," DeFilippo said.
Following in each other's steps
This isn't a new phenomenon. All four were state qualifiers last year. All four finished in the top seven at the state meet. All four threw better than 155 feet in Columbus.
"The Four Horseman ride again!" DeFilippo said. "You can't keep us away from each other."
"I know this," Merrill said. "We might be the ugliest guys I've ever seen."
Of the three, only Panezich doesn't have chin hair. Wajda has the most, even though he trimmed it a few weeks ago. Panezich blames his native American roots on his lack of facial hair.
"He's a baby," DeFilippo said of Panezich.
They clearly get along and they clearly make each other better.
It's not a sure bet that they'll duplicate last year's success, but it's pretty close. For now, they're just happy to be moving on.
"Like James Bond said, We live to die another day," DeFilippo said. "Wait, was that James Bond or Madonna? I know Madonna sang the song, but James Bond said it first."
Added Panezich, "I can't top that. That's classic."
Another thrower, Western Reserve sophomore Alex Rathburn, won the shot put with a throw of 37-4 to edge Leetonia senior Malorie Valentine by 4 inches. (Six of the top seven placers in the event were from the Mahoning Valley.)
Maplewood senior Jen Grayson, last year's state high jump champion, was the only other area regional champion, winning the event with a leap of 5-5.
The meet continues at 5 p.m. Friday. The top four in each event advance to next week's state meet at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium in Columbus.
scalzo@vindy.com