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Run is salute to Ryan
West Branch girls win Div. II team championship
AUSTINTOWN — For the first time this track season, West Branch High’s Ryan Johnson wasn’t there to congratulate the girls’ 4x800 relay when it crossed the finish line.
But while the junior, who died Tuesday when he collapsed after running his leg of the boys 4x800 relay, was not present in body, he was definitely there in spirit.
“He was always there for us when we finished,” said West Branch’s Lacey Sanor. “And he could always make us laugh — no matter how we finished.”
Had Johnson been present to see his teammates compete at the Mahoning County meet at Fitch High Saturday, he would have been the first to dish out hugs and celebrate in the victories.
The girls’ quartet from West Branch gave Ryan a fitting tribute by winning the meet’s first event, edging Boardman by six tenths of a second. The win meant a lot to the squad of Emilee Zets, Nicole Culler, Rebekah Owen and Sanor. It was the team’s way of honoring their fallen teammate and friend.
“We wanted to do this for Ryan and his family — and we did it,” said Sanor, who ran the second leg of the race.
“Ryan’s dad told us we had to be here and run because he would have wanted that. This means a lot,” said Culler.
That race was the beginning of turned out to be a heartwarming tribute to Johnson, as the West Branch girls’ squad won the Division II team championship in the county meet.
The boys’ team did its part, too, finishing second in the Div. II standings, despite fielding a smaller team than usual and not competing in the 4x800 relay in remembrance of Johnson.
“We just felt like this wasn’t the day to start running that event again,” said West Branch boys coach Tracy Wyatt. “I kind of made the decision, but the boys agreed. Everything was optional this week and some of the kids just weren’t ready to come.
“But for the most part, they decided to run because they felt like that’s what Ryan and his family would want. They’ve had their ups and downs this week, but we’re a close team and the kids are helping each other.”
The team attended Johnson’s calling hours together Friday and had some time to say goodbye to their friend and speak with his family. His parents insisted on the athletes competing Saturday in order to honor their son.
The team was pretty subdued as the meet started, but did its best to encourage each other and honor the memory of their teammate.
“Ryan had determination and such a great spirit and could make you laugh no matter what,” said Wyatt. “The kids are here wanting to run for him and there’s something therapeutic about doing what you love – just like Ryan did. The kids just want to use Ryan’s positive example and come out here and do it for him.”
A moment of silence was held in honor of Johnson prior to the running event finals.