Spring title winners discuss success

By GREG GULAS

sports@vindy.com

BEAVER TOWNSHIP

Upon finishing second in the 3200-meter run at last year’s state track and field championships, Howland Tigers runner Vinny Mauri immediately turned to his coach [Logan Sheptock] and told him that won’t happen again.

He kept his promise.

Mauri won this year’s 3200 by almost 100 meters with a 9:07.47. He will join Arizona State University’s program in the fall. It’s a challenge he cannot wait to undertake.

“I knew going into the meet that I had a good shot to win,” Mauri told the Curbstone Coaches during Monday’s spring meeting. “After the first mile I just kept saying keep the same pace and everything will be alright.”

Mauri was one of eight individuals to be honored at Avion Banquet Center, joining the Champion softball team as spring’s state champions.

Sheptock said Mauri has had the killer instinct since his sophomore year.

“The hardest thing for me was to control Vinny’s training. He’d run 50 or 60 miles a day if you’d let him,” Sheptock said. “All he wants to do is get better and succeed, and he always wants to know what he can do to help the team win. Finishing second last year was his motivation and I must say that he is the hardest worked that I have ever been around.”

Other individuals honored included Crestview’s 4x100 and 4x200 relay teams composed of Dylan Huff, Jayce Meredith, Ethan Powell and Brandon Yanssens. Two-time state shot put champion Dominic Perry also attended for the Rebels. Springfield 400 champion Garrett Walker, 100 and long jump champ Justin Wright of Wellsville and McDonald’s discus winner Zach Gray were also honored. Gray was unable to attend.

With this year’s state crown, the Champion Golden Flashes have won three titles in a row, four of the last five and nine overall. It was the six title under head coach Cheryl Weaver’s watch.

A state title next year and they’d become members of the elite “Quad Squad.”

“These past few teams have really jelled, which has made a world of difference,” Weaver said. “They believe and have faith in one another, do a lot of different things together away from the field but the key has been how hard they work.

“We’ll have two-hour practice session and they’ll just keep practicing so they can keep improving. To keep doing what they have done, you need to do that.”

Two junior pitchers, Allison Smith and Sophie Howell, are three-time champions and will return next season with the team a prohibitive favorite to repeat as state champions.

“What would our senior year be without a fourth championship. It would be a shame if we lost,” Smith said. “The key this year was the connection that we had as a team. This was a team effort because each game there was a new person that stepped up. It was always someone new leading us.”

Howell credits Weaver for their closeness.

“Coach taught us how to work together and connect as a team,” Howell said. “This year’s championship was special and it’s amazing to see what we’ve accomplished over the past three seasons.”

Perry, who will join YSU’s track and field program, is a three-time state participant. He finished third in the shot put as a sophomore and made it to the regional finals as a freshman.

“Dom is quiet, humble and a workhorse in the weight room,” Rebels head coach Greg Woolman said. “This past Saturday he finished 21st at nationals and you’d never know he was a state champion.”

Perry said his two state titles were a culmination plenty of hard work.

“All of the hard work paid off,” Perry said. “I cannot wait to be a Penguin and for [YSU head coach Brian Gorby] to turn me into a better all-around athlete.”

Wright won the 100 in 10.64 seconds, the long jump with at 23-3.75 leap and finished second in the 200 to become Wellsville’s first two-time champion at the same meet.

“I’m just happy to be a state champion and look forward to getting back next year,” Wright said.

Wright’s coach, Randy Thrasher, credits Wright’s work ethic.

“Justin only started running two years ago and this is all new to him,” Thrasher said. “He started the long jump this year and that was bonus.”

Walker, who won the 400 dash in 49.24 seconds, is believed to be the first Tigers’ runner to win a state championship. Past Tigers won field events at the state level.

“This was a culmination of all of my training and never wasting a day,” Walker said.

Springfield coach Joseph Antonucci called Walker a dedicated runner.

“Garrett also competed in the indoor season,” Antonucci said. “In addition to playing football, he has dedicated himself to the sport.”