Tayala has bittersweet day

June 5, 2010 at 12:07a.m.

By Joe Scalzo

COLUMBUS

At one point on Friday, McDonald junior Matthias Tayala threw the discus farther than anyone in Division III state meet history.

Then his main competitor threw one just a little longer.

At one point on Friday, Maplewood senior Eric Rupe was coming down the backstretch of the 4x800-meter relay with a school record and a Division III gold medal in sight.

Then his main competitor ran just a little faster.

Just like that, a really great day for Mahoning Valley boys turned into a really good one as Tayala and the Rockets both finished second in their respective events and defending long jump champion Dan Skiba of Mineral Ridge placed fifth at the state track and field meet at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.

“It was the best series [of throws] of my life, that’s for sure,” said Tayala, whose throw of 191 feet, 5 inches was bested in the finals by North Robinson Colonel Crawford senior Isiah Kent (193-3). “But it only takes one throw and he got one out there.”

Larry Wilson of Gates Mills Hawken set the previous state meet record with a 190-4 in 1994. Tayala, who has topped 193 this season, didn’t think his preliminary throw would hold up and felt he could have won with a little more luck with the wind.

“It seemed like every time I threw, the wind died down,” he said. “The wind picked right up on his winning throw and soared for him.

“But, oh well. Next year.”

Tayala’s best throw last year was a mere 163 feet and a bum ankle left him with a ninth-place finish at the state meet. But he packed on nearly 25 pounds of muscle over the last 12 months and plans to take aim at the overall state record of 200-11, set by Berkshire’s Dan Taylor in 1992.

Skiba exceeded everyone’s expectations — especially his own — last year when he jumped 22-103/4 to win the long jump crown. But he managed just 21-8 on Friday to finish fifth in a notoriously fickle event for even the best jumpers.

Maplewood, meanwhile, lowered its school record in the relay to 7:50.51, only to see Aquinas junior Maurice Kirksey use a strong finishing kick to win in 7:50.08.

“I really thought we had it,” said Maplewood senior A.J. Grayson, who was joined by senior Aaron Harrison and freshman Wyatt Hartman. “I don’t blame anyone. To be honest, to make it to state and get the record, what more can we ask for?”