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Harding girls, Fitch boys second in Optimist Meet
Richardson-led
Raiders place 2nd
By GARY HOUSTEAU
AUSTINTOWN
There’s a lot more than Justice Richardson on the Warren Harding girls track team, but the defending state champion in the 100 meters is an integral part of the group.
Richardson won the 100 and anchored the winning 4x200 relay team to highlight her four-event performance at the 36th Optimist Meet at Greenwood Fitch Falcon Stadium on Saturday.
The Syracuse signee is introduced as the defending state champion in the 100 meters as the girls take their marks.
“It’s a little bit of pressure but I think it’s good pressure because I have to improve and defend my title,” Richardson said. “But I’ve been working very hard and I’m ahead of where I was last year at this time so I’m very confident going into Columbus.”
Richardson finished first in the 100 in a time of 11.94 and took second in the 200 at 24.83.
“I did well,” she said. “I wish I would have ran a little faster in the 200, but that was my sixth event today so I’m definitely proud of my time.”
In the relays, Richardson anchored the winning 4x200 and as well as the fourth place 4x100 unit.
“On our 4x100 we have a new runner on there so we’re just trying to get everybody adjusted to it so I’m sure we’ll be fine going into Columbus,” Richardson said. “Our 4x200 won so we’re very confident in that and our team is very strong together.”
Harding’s girls placed second overall (with 75 points) to Twinsburg (91.50).
The host Fitch boys (76) were second to Wadsworth (83).
As a group Harding’s goal is to win a state team title in Columbus for this senior-laden group.
“We definitely want to win a state title, that has never changed. I think it’s very possible,” Richardson said. “We have two runners in the hurdles, we have a 400 meter girl and our relays are very strong so it’s definitely possible. We just have to bring our A-game to Columbus.”
Richardson acknowledged it won’t be easy but she’s definitely planning on doing her part.
“My job will be to win the 100 and 200 and just give it my all so I can accomplish that goal,” Richardson said. “I believe I’ll have to run the relays but I’m not 100 percent sure yet, we’ll just see. If I have to run four events I definitely will but we’ll see.”
Fellow senior Aisha Jackson can certainly help accumulate points for the Raiders. Jackson won the 110 meter hurdles in a time of 14.43 and finished second in the high jump at 5-02.00 as well as running in the 4x100 and 4x200 at the Optimist meet.
“Overall I’m pretty content with what I did today,” Jackson said. “I wish I would have ran a little bit faster in the 110s, I got a 14.4 and I was hoping for a 14.2 but it will come.”
Jackson didn’t run the 300 hurdles at the Optimist instead concentrating more on the high jump.
“I need to perform well in the 110s, jump higher in the high jump — a 5-04 or 5-06 maybe, and hopefully get better in the 300s (hurdles),” said Jackson who is headed to Central Michigan for track. “I just have to be money in the 110 hurdles.”
Jackson qualified for the state meet last year in the 110 hurdles, her best event, but is hoping to have a better showing in the event in Columbus this year.
“I got fifth overall, that was a pretty big accomplishment for me, and this year I’m hoping to win it,” Jackson said. “It’s very obtainable. If I would have run a 14.2 today that would have made me first in state as of right now. So I think that’s very obtainable.”
And she can only get better in the high jump.
“This is my first time doing the high jump in two years without any practice and I jumped 5-02,” Jackson said. “So I think with practice that will come together and I think I can place in state in that.”
Jackson can always run the 300 hurdles if needed but with Gariana Bercheni around the Raiders have that event potentially covered. Bercheni finished a disappointing second in the 300 hurdles at 45.69 and fourth in the 110s at 15.20, in addition to running in the 4x100 and 4x200.
“It’s just been a long day with having prelims for the 300 prelims and then coming back and running 4.x100 and 4x200 right before the finals, it’s kind of hard to do,” Bercheni said. “But overall I felt I contributed well today.”
Bercheni’s focus going forward is simple to help the team do well in Columbus.
“I need to improve my time in the 300 and get my time down in the 110 hurdles and give my best in the relays,” said Bercheni, who will run track at Ashland next year.
And Ka’Naylah Cox gives the group solid points in the 400 meters. A transfer from Fitch after her sophomore season, Cox won the 400 meters in a time of 1:00.67 and was also a member of the 4x200 team.
“I didn’t think I was actually going to win today because I was injured, but I did,” Cox said. “They plan on me going to state and placing, so there’s a lot of pressure. I guess it’s a little exciting but nerve-wracking as well. It’s a goal to place in the 400, it would be amazing. I have to get way faster.”
GIRLS LOCAL WINNERS
3200: Ashleigh Rowley (Western Reserve) 11:20.41.
100 hurdles: Aisha Jackson (Warren Harding) 14.43.
100 dash: Justice Richardson (Warren Harding) 12.23.
4x200 relay: Warren Harding (Gariana Bercheni, Ka’Naylah Cox, Aisha Jackson, Justice Richardson) 1:42.14.
1600 run: Lauren Dolak (Fitch) 5:17.29.
400 dash: Ka’Naylah Cox (Warren Harding) 1:00.67.
800 run: Ashleigh Rowley (Western Reserve) 2:24.37.
High jump: Autumn DeSantis (Cardinal Mooney) 5-2.
BOYS LOCAL WINNERS
3200: Tristan Dahmen (Maplewood) 9:24.92.
4x800 relay: Maplewood (Nick Cowger, Ethan Sparks, Allen Sparks, Jake Hall), 8:03.46.
400 dash: Brendon Lucas (Boardman) 49.56.
4x400 relay: Fitch (Anthony Linert, Craig Schumacher, Devin Moore, Eart Scott) 3:28.20.
Discus: Andrew Hallof (Canfield) 182-4.