State preview

When: Saturday Where: Scioto Downs, Columbus Schedule: Boys — Div. III 11:05 a.m.; Div. II 11:50; Div. I 12:35 p.m. Girls — Div. III 1:20; Div. II 2:05; Div. I 2:50 Tickets: $9. Be sure to bring binoculars. The grandstand sits far back from the course (Scioto Downs is a harness-racing track) and it’s difficult to see without assistance.

AREA QUALIFIERS

BOYS

Division I: Sam Deskin (Boardman) Division II: Tyler Ames (Lakeview), Heath Harris (Lakeview) Division III: Bobby Devita, Jerry Dugan, Jeff Kunkel, Josh Lapolla, Frank Natoli, Lance Ronghi, Mitchell Thornton (all of McDonald); Tom Bottorff, Dallas Bright, A.J. Grayson, Morgan Hake, Aaron Harrison, Luke Orth, Eric Rupe (all of Maplewood); David Chick (East Palestine)

GIRLS

Division II: Christina Oles (Mooney) Division III: Chanel Brown, Stephanie Case, Ashley Lydic, Alyssa Mellott, Ashley Orr, Ashley Osbourne (all of Columbiana); Sarah Bonar (Badger); Monica Ciarniello (Lowellville); Samantha Hamilton (Jackson-Milton)

NOTES

This is the 19th straight state appearance for Maplewood, which has won four state titles and finished second three times over that span. Overall, the Rockets have five state titles, which is tied with McDonald, Salem, Louisville St. Thomas Aquinas (which has won the last two Div. III titles) and Akron North for second-most all-time. Caldwell is first with nine. ... McDonald is making its 10th straight appearance with three titles and four seconds over that span. The Blue Devils were second last year. ... A Trumbull County team has finished first or second every year but one (2006) since 1997. ... Boardman has had a boy advance to state every year since 2005, joining Jake Lape (2005-06) and Matt Moore (2007). ... Ames finished 40th at last year’s meet. ... Ciarniello placed sixth at last year’s meet, while Hamilton was 39th. ... Hamilton finished second at the regional meet and Ciarniello was second. ... This is Columbiana’s first state appearance as a team. Case finished 71st as an individual last year.