Salem’s Gorby double distance winner at district

He heads to regionals in both the 800 and 1600 along with the relay team.

By ERIC HAMILTON

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

SALEM — Stop Gorby.

That’s what appeared on about a half dozen T-shirts worn by friends and fans of Salem High’s Patrick Gorby during Saturday’s Division II district meet at Reilly Stadium.

A friend of Gorby’s had the shirts made up to resemble a similar piece of clothing related to distance runner Steve Prefountaine.

“It’s pretty neat,” Gorby said. “They are talking about making more and wearing them to regionals next week.”

Whether his fan club follows through with that or not, Gorby will make the trip to the Ravenna regional next week after qualifying in the 800 and 1600 on Saturday. He also will run on Salem’s 4x800 relay squad.

Gorby pulled off an impressive double, winning the 800 after taking second in the 1600 earlier in the day. Despite not winning both events, he was satisfied with his efforts.

“I felt great considering I had to run both events on Thursday in prelims, then again today,” Gorby said. “In the 800, I usually rely on my speed in the last 200, but I felt good, so I took off early — with about 350 left.”

Quakers win team title

Gorby won’t be going to regionals by himself. The Salem boys squad won its third straight district team title and advancing competitors in the field events, sprinting events and distance events. The balance was the key to victory.

“It helps that our kids didn’t have to ride the bus here or be here really early,” Salem coach Todd Huda said. “They could kind of come when they needed to and there’s definitely a comfort zone effect to the whole thing.’

Joining Gorby next week are freshman Dustin Matak (100), Josh Lutz (200), the 4X100, 4X200 and 4X400 relay squads, Matt Moffet (400) and Jeremiah Folger (shot put).

The United boys will be well represented at regionals as well, thanks in large part to Jordan Johnson. The junior won the 110 and 300 hurdles and competed on United’s 4X200 relay team that finished second.

“I was a little nervous today, but I just didn’t want to be too confident in my races,” said Johnson, who is hoping to get back to the state meet in the 300 hurdles after qualifying last year. “I didn’t expect to win both hurdles today.

“I’d love for our 4X200 team to make it to state because those guys work so hard. It’s going to be challenging, but we just have to take it one race at a time.”

Joining Johnson in the 110 hurdles at regionals is teammate Tom Avers, who qualified second. Zane Smith took second in the 200 and Codey Baker was third in the 800.

Despite struggling with breathing problems, Mooney’s Nick Pederzolli qualified for regionals in the 200 (third) and 400 (first). He’s hoping to be ready next week and be well rested.

“I just had trouble recovering after the 400,” said Pederzolli, minutes after laying flat on his stomach on the concrete trying to catch his breath.

Girls meet

Struthers standout Ashley Galbraith didn’t disappoint, winning the 200 and 400 to go along with the district long jump championship she claimed on Thursday.

She out-leaned West Branch’s Kelly Morckel at the line to win the 200. The finish was closer than she would have liked.

“That was too close,” Galbraith said. “I guess I got her on the lean at the end. I felt real good today; I slept good and I didn’t have school all day and have to wait to run.”

Another solid individual performance was put on by Newton Falls junior KaiCee Kubicina. She entered the event with a seed throw of 125 feet, but surprised herself with an effort much better than that.

She let loose on a throw of 136 feet to win the district title.