Reserve's Rathburn places in shot, discus

By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Even though Friday wasn't a career day for Western Reserve High junior Alex Rathburn, she came away satisfied.
Sort of.
"I didn't think in a million years that I would place higher in the discus than in the shot put," she said. "But I got on the podium in both so I can't really complain."
Rathburn placed fifth in Division III in the discus, then followed that performance by placing sixth in the shot put at the state meet at Jesse Owens Stadium.
All-Ohio designation
The top eight make the podium and earn All-Ohio honors.
After not placing in the discus last year, Rathburn was more than happy to finish fifth.
"I didn't care where I stood [on the podium] as long as I was on it," she said. "I'm very happy with that."
On the flip side, Rathburn placed fourth in the shot last year and was hoping to place a little higher on Friday.
"I fouled on a couple throws and I think I put too much pressure on myself to get a throw in," she said. "But mentally, if I wasn't ready today, I guess I'll never be ready."
Rathburn knew she wasn't going to win either event -- both were won by three-time champions -- but she also knew the second through sixth spots in the shot were up for grabs.
"There were a couple girls I wanted to beat," she said. "I'm not going to name names, but I beat a few of them and I didn't beat a few."
After Ottoville senior Stacie Wannemacher won her third straight shot put title, Rathburn was asked if she was going to miss her.
"Um, no," she said, smiling. "She won her stuff. She's good to go."
And with next year's title there for the taking, Rathburn is wasting no time getting ready for next year.
"I'm going to hit the weight room harder," she said, "and I'm going for first."
Boys
McDonald senior high jumper Corey Grombacher also entered Friday's meet knowing he wasn't likely to win -- two-time champion Jake Dalessandro of Dalton was battling last year's runner-up, Brent Ransbottom of Chesapeake -- but he was also confident he could make All-Ohio.
He was correct on both. Ransbottom and Dalessandro went 1-2, while Grombacher finished fourth with a jump of 6-2.
"I'm happy to get on the podium," said Grombacher, who plans to walk on to YSU's football team. "I wish I would have got third. I know I can do better than 6-2."
Grombacher slipped on the wet track on his second try at 6-3.
"I think I could I have got over," he said.
South Range senior Mike Leskosky placed 10th in the high jump -- he finished seventh last year -- and Western Reserve junior Clay Jones finished ninth in the shot put in his first appearance in Columbus.
Lordstown, which won last year's 4x800 relay, placed 12th in the event Friday, while McDonald took 13th. A Trumbull County boys team had won the event every year since 1999.
Division I
Chaney senior Latalia Jones put herself in position for a big final day by recording the best qualifying time in the 100 and the third-best in the 200. Jones competed in Div. II last year at the state meet, but injured her hamstring and was unable to compete in most events.
scalzo@vindy.com