Canfield’s Frimpong sets long jump mark

She long-jumped 18-9 to break the district meet record of 17-5 set in 1983.

BY ERIC HAMILTON

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

AUSTINTOWN — Canfield High’s Audra Frimpong pretty much had the Division I girls long jump district title won the moment she stepped off the bus Friday.

After all, in the past three years there hasn’t been much more of a sure thing than Frimpong winning the long jump. She already has two fourth-place finishes in the state meet and various other individual meet titles.

This time around, she didn’t even have to jump in the finals in order to win the competition and advance to next week’s regional meet. Frimpong made 18 feet for the first time this season on both of her first two jumps in the prelims and passed in the finals, as she went on to advance in the 100 and 200 as well.

The junior won the 100 and took second in the 200, but it was the long jump that she wanted to talk about.

“I came in really focused on the long jump today because I’ve been disappointed this season in my performances,” said Frimpong, whose jump of 18-9 broke the district meet record of 17-5 set in 1983. “I just wanted to prove that I can still get some big jumps and that I haven’t fallen back.

Big step forward

“I wanted to get into the 18s and I was shocked with my first jump of 18-3. So I just tried to go even better on my next jump and I did. I’m excited because this was a big step forward for me heading into next week.”

There will be a next week for plenty of Valley athletes which finished in the top four in their respective events to advance to the regional.

Joining Frimpong with individual district titles were Poland’s Shayna Conzett who won the 100 hurdles, Boardman’s Breanne Romeo (400) and Carrie Mavrikis (pole vault) and Howland’s Nicole Pachol (300 hurdles) and Kelly Barzak (discus).

On the boys’ side, Boardman and Warren G. Harding led the qualifiers and ended the meet as the top two teams. The Spartans, who recently won the Federal League and Mahoning County meets added the district title.

Pacing the team were individual district champions Rick Lape in the 800, Caleb Matthews (high jump), Corey Linsley (shot put) and the 4x400 relay squad.

Deskin makes two events

Freshman Sam Deskin qualified in two individual events, taking fourth in the 1600 and second in the 3200. Adam Haushalter was third in the 3200 and Matt Moore took second in the 800. The Spartans also took fourth in the 4x200 relay.

“We had some great performances today,” said Boardman coach Dave Pavlansky. “We are definitely a team and not just a couple of guys. We have good depth everywhere, but in the distance events it really came through.

“Here it’s a fine line trying to win the meet and still take care of or kids and give them the best chance to advance to the next week. We tried to put them in the best position and if we win the meet, it’s just gravy. Everyone did their part today.”

The Harding sprint crew more than did its job, qualifying the 4x100, 4x200 relays and several individuals to the regional. Leading that contingent will be senior Chris Rucker, who will compete in the 100 and 200 next week.

Injured Rucker qualifies

Rucker, who will play football at Michigan State next fall, has been fighting hamstring problems, but still managed to qualify. He’s hoping he can continue to survive next week.

“I hurt my left hamstring, but when it got better I hurt my right one,” said Rucker, who took first in the 100 and third in the 200. “It’s frustrating because you’re not sure if it’s going to pop during the race so you hold back a little bit.

“I just have to rehab it a bit and take it easy. There will be real good competition next week, but hopefully I can get through. Our relays are going great without me and I think they will next week, too.”

Also advancing to regionals for Harding were Brandon Davis (fourth, 100), D’Avery Crawford (second, 110 hurdles), Antoine Rucker (third, 400) and Christopher Anzevino (second, shot put).

The Division I regional meet at Fitch begins next Wednesday with field events at 4 p.m. and running preliminaries. Running finals will be contested next Friday.