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Ohio’s track champions prepare for Midwest Meet
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Crestview's Jakob Leon wins the boys Division III High Jump competition by clearing a height of 6'10'' at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium in Columbus on Friday afternoon.
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Howland hurdler Nichole Pachol competes in 110's at Austintown Fitch Wednesday.
JACKSON, Mich. — Five area track and field standouts, including three state champions, will compete for Ohio in the annual Midwest Meet of Champions at Jackson High School on Saturday.
The postseason meet features teams of senior all-stars from Ohio, Indiana and Michigan is the only interstate all-star meet of its type in the United States.
Lakeview senior Ben Moody, a Division II state champion in the 110-meter hurdles and the 100 dash, will compete in the hurdles and the 4x100-meter relay.
Warren Harding senior Joey Threats, a member of two All-Ohio relays, will compete in the 100 and the 4x100.
Crestview senior Jakob Leon will compete in the high jump. He won a Division III state title in that event.
On the girls side, Howland senior Nicole Pachol will vie in the 300 hurdles after winning a Division I state title in that event last weekend.
Jackson-Milton senior Samantha Hamilton will run the 800 and 4x800 relay after placing fifth in Division III in the 3200 last weekend.
Ohio’s boys have won eight of the last 10 titles, including last year’s, while the women have placed second the past three years.
Michigan has won the overall team title the past three years, with Ohio finishing second each time.
“We are excited about this team,” said Ohio team coordinator Dave Pavlansky, the boys track coach at Boardman High. “It may be one of the best we’ve put together.”