Area athletes opened regional competition with several standout performances Wednesday, May 27, at the OHSAA regional meets in Troy and Chillicothe, with multiple competitors earning automatic state berths, positioning themselves for at-large consideration, and qualifying spots into Friday’s finals.
West Liberty-Salem Tiger Boys
West Liberty-Salem turned in one of the area’s strongest opening-day performances at the Division IV regional meet in Chillicothe.
Caleb Larson highlighted the day by placing sixth in the 3200-meter run in a personal-best and school-record time of 9:23.55. Larson currently holds the top at-large position statewide while breaking Earl Zilles’ previous school record of 9:25.6 that had stood since 1979.
The Tigers also secured an automatic state qualification in the 4×800 relay as Zeke Longshore, Brayan Gullett, Dylan King, and Asher Cole captured the regional championship in 8:01.73.
West Liberty-Salem advanced numerous athletes and relay teams into Friday’s finals.
Sam Kidd qualified fifth in the 200-meter prelims in a personal-best 22.04 while breaking his own school record.
Taryn Bradley advanced in both hurdle events, placing fourth in the 110 hurdles in a personal-best 15.18 and fourth in the 300 hurdles in 40.39.
The Tigers’ 4×100 relay team of Sam Kidd, Jackson Henry, Tanner Myers, and Kamden Yang qualified third in 43.43.
West Liberty-Salem also moved on in the 4×200 relay as Jackson Henry, Brevin Louden, Jake Lauck, and Taryn Bradley placed third in 1:31.55, while the 4×400 relay of Brevin Louden, Sam Kidd, Jake Lauck, and Asher Cole advanced third overall in a season-best 3:27.17.
Kidd narrowly missed qualifying for the 100-meter finals, placing ninth in 11.14, just .05 seconds shy of advancing.
Still scheduled to compete Friday for the Tigers are Asher Cole in the 1600 and 800 runs, Caleb Larson in the 800, Brayan Gullett in the 1600, Carson Poppe in shot put, and Casey Boyer in high jump.
West Liberty-Salem Tiger Girls
West Liberty-Salem’s girls also produced several strong performances during regional competition.
Ava Poppe placed fifth in shot put with a throw of 39-4.75 to automatically qualify for the state meet.
Malia Miller remains in strong position for an at-large state berth in the 3200-meter run after placing sixth in 11:55.49.
The Tigers’ 4×800 relay team of Malia Miller, Gwen McCullough, Isla Leichty, and Arianna Weaver placed fourth overall in a season-best 9:53.76 to secure an automatic state qualification.
West Liberty-Salem qualified multiple sprinters and relay teams into Friday’s finals.
Chloe Griffith posted the top qualifying time in the 100-meter prelims, winning her heat in 12.29, while teammate Tori Douthwaite also advanced after placing fifth in a personal-best 12.66.
The Tigers’ 4×100 relay team of Tori Douthwaite, Lea Brickerson, Ella Albers, and Chloe Griffith qualified first overall in 49.69.
West Liberty-Salem also advanced in the 4×200 relay as Douthwaite, Brickerson, Albers, and Griffith placed sixth in 1:48.14.
Lea Brickerson narrowly missed qualifying for the 200-meter finals after finishing 11th in 27.21.
Arianna Weaver remains scheduled to compete Friday in the 800-meter run.
Bellefontaine Chieftain Boys
Bellefontaine’s boys competed in the Division II regional meet at Troy and were led by senior distance runner Hayden Maus.
Maus placed eighth in the 3200-meter run in 9:37.59 and is currently in contention for an at-large state berth pending results from the remaining regional meets. He will also compete in the 1600-meter run on Friday.
Several Chieftains narrowly missed advancing to finals in sprint and relay competition.
Freshman Kaiden Foulk finished 11th in the 400-meter prelims in 51.49, while Terrence Hayes placed 13th in the 300 hurdles prelims in 42.16.
Bellefontaine’s 4×200 relay team of Kaiden Foulk, Dillon Jones, Kyrus Cobb, and Curtis Butler III finished 12th in 1:32.57, while the 4×400 relay squad of Kyrus Cobb, Kaiden Foulk, Dillon Jones, and Curtis Butler III placed 11th in a season-best 3:29.80.
The Chieftains’ 4×800 relay team of Jake Moreland, Oliver Grandstaff, Jack Wilson, and Landon Gerwels finished 11th overall in 8:30.99.
Triad Cardinal Boys
Triad’s De’Von Minor positioned himself for possible state qualification in the boys long jump at the Division IV regional meet.
Minor placed seventh overall at D4 Chillicothe with a leap of 19-3.5 and currently sits in the second at-large position pending the completion of regional competition across the state.
