Move to East pays off for sprinter James Allen

By Eric Hamilton

He has his sights set on more than one state championship next week.

AUSTINTOWN — East High sprinter James Allen entered Friday’s Division I regional track meet with goals much higher than qualifying for state.

He had already accomplished that when he competed in two events at the 2007 state meet as a member of the Liberty track squad. He finished third in the 200 and sparked a Leopards’ relay team to a second-place effort.

So after transferring to East in order to face big-school competition, the senior isn’t willing to settle for anything but a state championship.

He took a leap in the right direction at Fitch High by winning both the 100 and 200 regional championships and advancing to next week’ state meet in Columbus — this time in Division I.

“Today, I wanted to be first overall in both,” said Allen. “I’m happy with how things went and I feel real good about my chances next week.

“I came to East because I wanted to face tougher competition in Division I. I do miss some of the guys at Liberty, but I have no regrets.”

Allen has been nearly unbeatable all season and will be among the favorites to win multiple state championships in Columbus after facing arguably the fastest runners in the state in this regional.

“I think I can win both; anything is possible,” said Allen, who has scholarship offers from Kent, Akron, Toledo and Youngstown State. “I need to get out of the blocks better in the 100 and just train as much as I can this week before state.”

While Allen says that Kent is the frontrunner for his services next year, he’s hoping that his performance at the state meet will bring more interest from other marquee schools.

“That’s what I’m hoping for,” he said. “I’m just going to go down there and do what I have to do to win.”