Boardman boys, girls grab lead in district

AUSTINTOWN — Boardman sophomore Caleb Matthews won the long jump and junior teammate Alex Lipinsky placed first in the discus to lead the Boardman High boys track team to the team lead after four events in Wednesday’s Division I district track and field meet at Fitch High.

Boardman, which led Twinsburg 45-22, also placed second in the 4x800-meter relay and got third-place finishes in the pole vault (Joe Bialik) and shot put (Evan Klepec).

Fitch junior Jim Verdream won the pole vault and teammate Dan Hammond placed second. Canfield’s Dustin Brode was third in the shot. Harding’s Jarrale Butts and Howland’s Mike Mangiarelli finished 2-3 in the long jump.

The top four in each event advance to next week’s regional meet.

On the girls side, Spartans sophomore Corinthia Carter won the high jump to help Boardman take a 24-23 lead over Twinsburg after three events.

Boardman also placed second in the 4x800, while Howland and Fitch finished 3-4.

Howland’s Nia Grant was third in the high jump and Fitch’s Brittany Amicone was fourth.

Erin Brown (Boardman) placed third in the shot and Alex Tolich (Fitch) was fourth.

Division I and III meets continue Friday.

Division III

NEW MIDDLETOWN — Freshman Matthias Tayala won the discus to help lead Warren JFK to a slim lead over East Palestine, 16-15, in the boys team standings in the Div. III district meet at Springfield High.

Springfield junior Ron Snyder won the long jump and Maplewood won the 4x800 relay.

On the girls side, Mineral Ridge junior Taylor Shiley won the high jump as the Rams held a slim lead after three events. McDonald sophomore Joh’Vonnie Mosley placed first in the shot put and Warren JFK won the 4x800 relay.

Independence district

INDEPENDENCE — Brookfield senior Morgan Bonekovic won the shot put with a throw of 39 feet, 71/4 inches to qualify for next week’s regional meet at Wednesday’s Div. III district meet at Independence High.

Her teammates placed third in the 4x800-meter relay, while Badger finished second and Maplewood fourth in the event. The top four in each event advance.

Maplewood freshman Jordan Moxley was the area’s only other qualifier, finishing third in the high jump (5-2). No area boys qualified.