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SCHOOL’S OUT?: Several earn one more assignment
Division II Track & Field Championship
Gallery
By Tom Williams
AUSTINTOWN
It’s safe to say few graduates enjoyed Saturday’s commencement ceremonies more than South Range’s Chris Herubin.
Hours before receiving his diploma at his high school, Herubin completed one last assignment — he finished second in the shot put competition at the Division II track and field regional meet at Fitch Falcon Stadium to earn a trip to Columbus next weekend.
“It’s amazing, I’m excited,” Herubin said after his toss of 50 feet, 2.75 inches placed him second to Crestview’s Dom Perry (52-0.75). “It’s so special. On paper, I was supposed to place third.
Photo Gallery: Division II Track & Field Championship
“I started out with a nice 50-foot toss and right from there I felt real confident that I could be in the top three,” Herubin said. “Dom’s a great athlete and it’s always fun to compete against someone who’s a little further ahead of you.
“Because you’re always chasing after someone and that’s another good goal to have.”
Perry, a sophomore, will be making his first trip to Columbus. Last year, he injured his big toe on his left foot in the regional and placed ninth.
“It feels great after last year getting hurt,” Perry said. “It‘s great to come back and win it.”
Perry wasn’t the Mahoning Valley’s only regional champion. Newton Falls senior Kayla Barreca won the discus with a toss of 151 feet, 1 inch.
West Branch hurdler Rob Lozier won the 300 hurdles with a time of 38.86.
“I’m still a little sore from Thursday,” said the Warriors senior, noting he started slower than he wished.
“Man, I’ve got to kick myself in gear,” he told himself at around the halfway mark.
“It was a little sloppy race but then once I got to the last 100 I was like I’ve got to kick it in,” he said.
Lozier edged Woodridge’s Jacob Mally by half a second.
“I went all out and did what I could,” said Lozier, who placed fifth at state in 2016. “I’ve still got a lot of work to do — my form was awful.”
Lozier’s 4x400 team also qualified for state by finishing fourth. Salem’s squad was second.
Also competing in two events will be Girard hurdler Emily Marsico. She placed third in the 100 hurdles (15.34) and second in the 300 hurdles (44.04).
“I felt really good — that was my best time ever,” said Marsico after the 300 hurdles. “It’s felt really nice to see that [time posed] especially because this region is just so difficult.
“If you make it out of here, you’re pretty much set,” Marsico said. “So this is a great feeling.”
It will be her second time competing in Columbus. Last year, she qualified in the 100 hurdles.
“What a way to end my season,” Marsico said.
LaBrae sophomore sprinter Dynesty Ervin just missed qualifying for two races at state. After finishing third in the 100 (12.3), she placed fifth in the 200 (25.42), just .15 of a second behind Buchtel’s Dyamond Myers.
“I ran out of time,” the Vikings sophomore said.
Finishing right behind her in the 100 was Niles sophomore Kyndi Matlock (12.32), who admitted she “was surprised but excited” by her finish.
The Red Dragons sprinter said she didn’t think she had qualified when she crossed the finish line.
“No, I saw so many of us there,” Matlock said.
Seeing her name posted on the scoreboard made her feel “like I finally did it,” she said laughing.
Lakeview’s Jatise Garrison and West Branch’s Ethan Griffith finished second and fourth in the 110 hurdles.
“I had a real sloppy race again,” said Garrison after running in 15.54. “I’m not where I want to be at — a little more practice and next week it should come together.”
Griffith’s time was 15.82.
“What a better way to end [my career],” said Griffith who also qualified with the 4x400 team. “I was not expecting it at all.”