GlenOak won’t vie in track at Poland

By Mark W. Miller

Audra Frimpong of Canfield is the defending long jump champ in the Poland meet.

POLAND — Because of the Stark County meet, Canton GlenOak High School won’t return to defend its boys and girls titles at Saturday’s 13th Poland Invitational track and field meet.

Field events are scheduled at 9 a.m., with preliminaries in sprints and hurdles to follow. The girls 3200 run final is set for 9:15 a.m., and the boys 3200 final at 10:15. The rest of the running finals start with the 4x800 relay at 12:30 p.m.

“Some of the best athletes in the state are entered and most of the events should be closely contested,” said meet director John Jeren.

Audra Frimpong of Canfield, defending long jump champ, who set a record (18-61‚Ñ2) at last week’s Mahoning Country meet, will also race in the 100 hurdles (15.1 seconds) and 200 (25.8).

Seven girls entered in the 400 have been timed under 60 seconds this season. Lakeview’s Kiley Mathews (58.99) returns to defend the title. Katoria Carter of Hubbard (59.8) and Jen Shiley of Fitch (60.0) will contend. Carter (57.18) was fourth in Division II at the 2007 state meet.

Warren JFK distance runner Audrey Mahue has the area’s top effort in the 1600 (5:00.9). Jackson-Milton’s Samantha Hamilton (5:19.1), Boardman’s Tracia Haff (4:25.4) and Lauren Agnew (5:27.5) should make it a close run.

The 4x100 relay will feature Fitch (51.01), Canfield (51.20), Warren Harding (51.6), East (51.7), Poland (51.8) and Boardman (51.9). The 4x200 relay, with Hubbard (1:45.8), Poland (1:47.3), Warren Harding, (1:48.3); Fitch, (1:48.30), East (1:49.5) and Warren JFK (1:50.4) will be close.

A strong field is set in the girls shot put with Newon Falls’ KaiCee Kubicina (39-81‚Ñ4), Poland’s Amanda Cox (38-10) and Salem’s Sara Brobeck (38-3). Brobeck (138-2) will be the athlete to beat in the discus, with Fitch’s Ali Tolich (126-9) and Kubicina (126-3) contending.

The boys 400 has an outstanding field entered with Poland’s Robert Balzano (50.32), Boardman’s Mike Lesko (50.52), United’s Zane Smith (51.46), East’s Anthony West (51.64), Canfield’s Walt Wollet (52.2) and Chaney’s Nick Douthitt (52.2).

The 100 hurdles will feature Boardman’s Caleb Mathews (14.8), Warren Harding’s Mitchell Seawood (14.8), Hubbard’s Jermaine Collins (14.8), Lakeview’s Ben Moody (14.9), Warren Harding’s Marvin Logan (14.9) and Ursuline’s Wes Washington (15.1).

Mathews (21-111‚Ñ4), Moody (21-61‚Ñ4), Leetonia’s Kaid Todd (20-9), United’s Zack Lease (20-7) and Boardman’s Brent Bionci (20-6) will compete in the long jump.