Salem's rare pair in the air: Lee, Pierce leap to regional

West Branch senior Jim Boals won a district title in the discus.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
SALEM -- On a cool, breezy day, Salem junior John Lee was sweating. And worrying. And hoping.
His first two attempts in the long jump were, um, not up to his standard. ("They were terrible," he said.)
Since you only get three to qualify for the finals -- and he hadn't yet -- it would be fair to say he was a little worried about his last jump.
"Yeah, I was like, 'Oh geez, I'm not going to make it to regionals,' " he said. "But my last jump got me to the finals."
And then the pressure was off, right?
"Not really," he said. "Actually, there was even more."
Fortunately for Lee, this story has a happy ending. On his second jump of the finals, he leaped 20 feet, 41/2 inches -- "I put all I had into that one," he said -- which was good enough for a Division II district title on Thursday at Salem's Reilly Stadium. Considering he didn't even compete in the event last year, that's pretty darn good.
"Oh, it's sweet," he said. "I came in just hoping to get in the top four. To walk away with first, that's fine with me."
As an added bonus, he'll have a familiar face competing with him next week at Ravenna High School. His teammate, senior Tyler Pierce, finished third in the event. The top four in each event advance.
"Tyler really stepped up," Lee said.
So did the rest of the competition. All four qualifiers jumped at least 20 feet. For comparison's sake, none of the four Div. II qualifiers at the Andover district reached 20 feet.
District champ
West Branch senior Jim Boals won a district title in the discus after finishing second in the event last season. He wasn't thrilled with his distance -- his best throw was 157-10 -- but he'll take it.
"I guess I didn't throw too bad," said Boals, who won by 14 feet. "I was hoping to get into the 160s, but it got me through. I can't be too upset about it."
Boals has been battling a weight problem all spring, but it's not the kind you expect. He lost 50 pounds during wrestling season -- he moved from the heavyweight division to the 215-pound class -- and has only gained about five of those pounds back.
Is that even healthy?
"I don't know," he said. "I didn't feel good for awhile."
His problem on Thursday had more to do with form than strength. He said he was leaning over too much and throwing too high, causing him to lose distance.
His younger brother, junior Tom Boals, was also struggling with his form. After one throw, Jim walked over and said, "Stop trying! Just throw the dang thing. You see what happens when I try? Just let your form do it."
Tom Boals didn't make it to regionals -- he finished sixth -- but his brother thinks he's got a bright future.
"He'll be up there," Jim Boals said. "He's somebody to look for next season."
Poland teammates Ross Wetzel and Tom Fabian finished 2-3 in the discus. Salem's 4x800 relay was second behind Field.
Mooney's 4x800 relay finished second behind Canton Central Catholic. Southeast senior Danielle Cofojohn won the shot put and Salem sophomore Sarah Brobeck was second. United senior Kara Greene placed second in the high jump.
The meet continues Saturday with field events at 11:30 a.m. and running finals at 12:30 p.m.
Pymatuning Valley district
ANDOVER -- Lakeview junior Brett Davenport won the long jump and Liberty senior Emmanuel Simpson finished second in the event at the Div. II district meet at Pymatuning Valley High.
Girard senior Sarroya Townsend was second in the shot while Lakeview's 4x800 relay finished second.