Paulenich stays diploma

By Eric Hamilton

SALEM — When Cardinal Mooney High holds its commencement ceremony next Saturday, there will be an empty seat among the Class of 2008.

That’s because Mooney weights thrower Joe Paulenich will be in Ravenna that afternoon attempting to earn a trip to the Division II state track and field meet in the shot put. And while he wishes he could figure out how to be in two places at once, he feels like it’s a good problem to have.

“I have mixed feelings,” said Paulenich, who finished second behind Poland’s Bill Dugan at the district meet Saturday to advance to next week’s regional. “I want to be at graduation, but I want the chance to compete for a trip to state. I think the school and everyone will be supportive of what I’m doing and will understand.”

Paulenich’s throw of 50 feet, 9 inches was a personal-best, but it wasn’t enough to earn him a district championship.

That honor went to Dugan, who broke the district record of 56-3 with a heave of 56-113‚Ñ4.

“It was a relief to hit that one,” said Dugan. “I’ve been chasing that mark all year and have come up a foot short every meet. I’ve been working on my footwork all week and I know that’s what will give me that extra few feet. Last year, I thought it was all about strength, but I know it’s not. I just can’t hold back and I have to explode and go after it the next two weeks.”

With several field event finals and a slew of running event finals, Valley athletes had a busy day in ideal weather conditions.

Not many athletes were as busy as United’s Zane Smith, who advanced to regionals in four events — 100 (second), 200 (first), 400 (fourth) and 4x200 relay (first).

Teammate Jordan Johnson moved on in the 4x400 relay (third) as well as his best events – the 110 and 300 hurdles, both of which he won.

Those performances, as well as various others, propelled the Golden Eagles to second in the boys team standings with 94 points. The event was won by Marlington with 112 points.

“We knew Marlington had a good distance crew, so we knew it would be close,” said Johnson. “We have a good team this year. Zane [Smith] kind of came out of nowhere for us and has helped a lot.

“He’s a great athlete, no doubt about it. I’ve tried to help him as much as I can since I’m a senior, but he’s helped me, too.”

In the boys competition, other local district champions were Salem’s Dustin Matak (100) and Poland’s Robert Balzano (400).

Individual regional qualifiers were Salem’s Ben Eisel (200), Tyler Metts (high jump), Mike Boggs (shot put) and Jason Keniston (200), Poland’s Ryan Storkel (400), Sean Murphy (3200) and Mike Kurjan (800), Niles’ Hunter Heinselman (800) and Vince Melillo (high jump).

The area workhorse in the girls meet was Poland sophomore Alicia Taylor, who will compete at the regional in four events — two individual and two relays. She won the 100, took second in the 200 and was a member of the Bulldogs’ third place 4x100 and 4x200 relays.

“I feel pretty good for running four events today,” said Taylor, whose team competed in Div. I in 2007. “I guess I’m used to it from doing it all season. This district seems a little easier to qualify and we’re doing pretty well.

“I need to give a better effort next week to make it to state because the times next week drop dramatically. I think our relays have a good chance of making it out, too.”

Taylor will be joined in Ravenna next week by several teammates. Stephanie Andrews qualified in the 100 hurdles, Missy Haug was fourth in the 300 hurdles and Megan Sweeney moved on in the 3200. In addition, the Bulldogs will be represented in all three sprint relays.

The girls’ meet was won by West Branch (89), who outdistanced second place Newton Falls (72) and Poland (71). The Warriors were led by sophomore Taylor Kring, who fought off a hamstring injury to win the 100 hurdles and take second in the 300 hurdles.

Newton Falls got a lift from freshman Jennifer Bjelac, who qualified second in the 100 hurdles and 800 and won the long jump. KaiCee Kubicina finished second in the discus, Jaci Dach advanced in the 100 hurdles and high jump and Darlinda Smith got out in the 100 and 200.

Local athletes winning district titles included Ashley Galbraith of Struthers, who won the 300 hurdles, United’s Emily Bokanovich (200), East Palestine’s Kali George (400) and Salem’s Lauren Shivers (3200).