Warrior sprinter tunes up for state

Struthers' Eric Anderson repeated as hurdles champ.
By MARK W. MILLER
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
AUSTINTOWN -- Eric Baltputnis of West Branch High said he was trying to reach out with his leg at the finish line in the semifinals of the 100-meter dash when he slipped and fell on the wet track. He wasn't hurt.
In the finals of the 100, Baltputnis, a senior, won in 9.92 seconds at the Mahoning County track and field championships Saturday at Fitch High stadium.
"I had a good start in the semis, but almost got DQed [disqualified]," Baltputnis said. "I leaned back just before the gun. This was the best competition I've had this season. It's always good to have good competition, it gets your competitive juices going.
"My finish is stronger this year which has made me a better runner. My teammate [Scott Thomas] helps me push myself to be better." Thomas placed third in the 100 in 11.1.
"At last year's regional, I pulled a hamstring and didn't make it to state," Baltputnis said. " I hope I can get there this year."
High hurdles
Eric Anderson of Struthers repeated in the 110 high hurdles (15.1).
The defending champ said, "Fitch's [Adam] Blazak pushed me. He made me run better. I saw him out of the corner of my eye and just kept going.
"I have my steps down, but need to work a little on my form," Anderson said.
Latalia Jones of Chaney, who was second in the 400 last year, said that gave her the incentive to go all out.
"My goal was to come here and win three sprints in Division II," Jones said. She was first overall in the 100 (12.3) and second overall in the 400 (60.1).
About her heat in the 400 final, Jones said, "I had a good start, got out in front and turned it on with about 150 meters left.
"[Struthers' Ashley Galbraith] gave me a good push and I felt pretty good about what I did today."
Breanne Remeo of Div. I Boardman won the 400 (59.15).
Record tied
Galbraith tied the county Div. II record in the high jump as she cleared 5 feet, 1 inch. She attempted three tries (5-4) at setting the record, but just missed on those attempts.
A sophomore, Galbraith said, "I knew that the competition wasn't that good at our other meets so far this season and I knew I was on top of the top marks.
"I though I would have a chance at the record, but after tying it, I had to run the 400 and then I couldn't make the height to break it," Galbraith said.
Galbraith said she hopes she can make it to state and clear at least 5-8 before the season's over.
Boardman won the overall girls championship for the sixth straight year. The Spartans finished with 132 points. Poland was second with 63 and Canfield third with 61.
"It was a total team effort by the girls who scored in every event," Boardman coach Denise Gorski said. "It just shows how strong the depth of this team is and they are fun to coach."
Breanne Remeo, Caroline Farina, Angela Burnett and Corey Carter of Boardman took the 4x200 relay in 1:47.6.
Lauren Agnew of Boardman was first in the 1600 ( 5:24.4) and her teammate Lauren Blase was second (5:26.6; Blaze took the 3200 (11:47) and Agnew was second (11:48).
Because of a computer malfunction at the track, some results weren't available for publication.