Fitch boys edge Boardman for Federal League track title

Staff report

MASSILLON

With the Federal League championship on the line, the Fitch High boys track team entered the final event of Friday’s league meet, the 4x400-meter relay, needing a victory.

And the Falcons would have to do it without their best 400 runner, senior Waylan Andrews.

Fielding a team of two juniors (Jay Jakovina and Dan Rivera), a sophomore (Rob Venters) and a freshman (Nathan Bowlen), the Falcons ran a 3:23.92 to win the event by more than two seconds and rally for a razor-thin meet victory over rival Boardman, 110.5 to 110, at Perry High School.

It was the first Federal League track title for the Falcons, who also finished second to North Canton for the girls title. This is Fitch’s final year in the Federal League.

“We knew it was going to be a dogfight,” Fitch coach Rich Kempe said. “It’s a great accomplishment because I think this is one of the best track and field leagues in the state and I think track and field is the deepest sport, from 1-8, in the league.

“It’s a real tribute to our kids and our staff from [grades] 7-12. They do a great job of recruiting kids and getting them ready.”

Andrews was named the league’s boys athlete of the year after winning the 100, 400 (in a meet- and school-record time of 48.03) and finishing eighth in the 200. Andrews’ 400 time is the fastest in the state so far this season.

Fitch averaged 10 points per event in the sprints and hurdling events and Kempe credited sprint coach Seth Steiner and hurdle coach Joe Carcelli for the performance. Also, sophomore Billy Price picked up some key points by winning the discus.

“This was supposed to be a building year for us,” Kempe said. “We were looking at next year as being our year. But we’ve just had a tremendous work ethic from the late fall and throughout the season we’ve gained a lot of confidence and a lot of experience.

“Now it’s a seasoned group.”

Boardman sophomore Nathan Jones won the 200, finished second in the 100 and helped the Spartans place fourth in the 4x200 and fifth in the 4x100. Also, junior Allen Starkey won the long jump.

On the girls side, Fitch senior Ali Tolich won the shot put and discus and classmate Jen Shiley won the 300 hurdles in a meet-record time of 44.77. Fitch freshman Liz Mosier won the 800 and joined Shiley in helping the Falcons win the 4x400 relay.

The Falcons finished with 108 points. Hoover had 143. The Boardman girls placed sixth with 62 points. Jackson’s Maddie Schuler was named girls athlete of the year.

Friday’s meet was delayed 90 minutes by thunderstorms and was not completed until 11:30 p.m.