Lowellville, McDonald win titles at ITCL meet

By Ryan Jones

BERLIN CENTER — On her last throw of the discus finals Joh’Vonnie Mosley knew she had to come up with a big toss to surpass Leetonia’s Clarissa Perkins, who held first place by 2 inches.

The senior from McDonald set, spun, and released — the discus traveled 139-9 — good enough for first place and an ITCL Tier II meet record.

“I knew I was capable of a throw like that,” Mosley said.

“Clarissa is such a good thrower and we battled back and forth. I threw 121 feet in prelims and she came back with one a little better, and then in finals I threw 131-6 and she came back with 131-8.”

But Mosley’s stellar day wasn’t over. She set a personal best and meet record when she grabbed first place in the shot with a put of 43-1‚Ñ2.

Mosley said coming into the meet she had never topped the 40-foot mark in competition.

“It just kind of happened for me today,” she said.

“I didn’t think coming into the meet that I was going to see those results, but with good throws in both events I’m very happy.”

Even with Mosley’s efforts and teammate Lindsey Repp, who came in first in the 100 (12.8), 200 (27.6) and 300 hurdles (48.0), the Blue Devils finished second to Lowellville.

The Rockets totaled 145 points, McDonald 131 and Western Reserve 101.

Lowellville coach Bob Ballone said this is the fourth time in the last six years that his girls team has won the league meet.

“On paper I had us losing,” he said.

“I thought we could max out close to 145 points, but I still thought McDonald would score more. I kept thinking how can you lose a meet if you score that many points? I tried to put the meet together the best that I could, but give the girls credit. They are the ones who bought in and performed.”

Juniors Joelle Ballone, Jaime Hynes and Monica Ciarnello did the bulk of the scoring for the Rockets.

Ciarnello took first in the 800 meter run (2:29.7), and second in both the 1600 and 3200. Ballone scored first in the 400 (1:04.1), fourth in the 200 and third in the 100, while Hynes was second the 300 hurdles, second in the 200 and fourth in the long jump.

“I put most of our girls in individual events where I felt they could score,” Ballone said.

“The girls did stuff today that they normally they wouldn’t do. It will take them a few days to recover, but I’m proud of them.”

On the boys side, McDonald racked up 186 points. Western Reserve was second with 91 and Lowellville came in third with 73.

McDonald’s Matthias Tayala set a meet record in the boys discus with a throw of 161-9 on his first attempt.

“I came into the meet looking to set a PR,” said Tayala, who also placed third in the shot. “I had a really good day of practice yesterday, but that throw surprised me a little bit.”

While Tayala isn’t the archetype when it comes to a thrower’s build, his technique within the ring is impressive.

“Matthias is a dedicated athlete,” coach Mary Domitovich said. “He makes up for what he lacks in size by having great technique and that comes from all of the repetitions he puts in.

Matthias and Joh’Vonnie spend extra time in the weight room and in the field before and after practice every day.”

McDonald took first place in the 4x100 and 4x200 relays. Nick Cupan won the 100 (11.5) and the long jump (19-4), Devon Colburn the 200 (23.0) and Corey Lunn the 400 (51.0).

Wellsville’s Matt Gibbs took top honors in both the 110 (15.7) and 300 (40.2) hurdles.