by John Fanta ‘13
It is called by many as the greatest OHSAA event throughout the whole year, and it arrives at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium on Friday.
The Division I track events begin on Friday, with the 4×800 finals and the rest of the prelims going on, as they begin at 4:30 pm. Saturday, Division I field events begin at 3 pm, with track finals at 4:30. 40-year head coach Chuck Kyle took the Wildcats down on Thursday in prep for the action at The Ohio State University. The regional champion 4×100 meter relay team of junior Enzo Cannata, seniors Pat Jeffries and Dan Way, and freshman James Norris come off a really strong weekend. Freshman Luke Wagner has been on the Wasmer Field track all week as he readies for the 1600 meter. Penn State bound Jack Miller will be in the 3200, as he concludes his memorable running career. Senior Joe Arquillo will also step on the track in the blue and gold for the final time in his career in the 3200. Two-time All-Ohio defensive end Kevin Kavalec had a personal best of 182-10 in discus, as he is in Columbus for that and shot put. The last time the Wildcats won a track and field state title was 2001. They will score well, as they have, but the lead contenders are St. Edward and Pickerington North. The present is not only present, but the future is as well. If you haven’t heard yet, James Norris has been tearing it up, and as a freshman. James has run a 10.66 100-meter dash and a 22.19 200-meter. Milesplit.com has released that James ranks #1 among all freshman in the state.
Athletes to Watch
St. Edward’s Steele Wasik and Pickerington North’s Desmond Palmer will duke it out in 110 and 300-meter hurdles, as they are the top two in each category, with Wasik 1st in 110-meter, and Palmer 1st in 300-meter. In the 100 and 200, the Eagles are going to be scoring, there is no question. Pickerington North is the lead qualifier in the 4×400 meter relay and can score in all three relays. St. Edward’s 4×100 relay team was disqualified at Regionals for a baton error, as their 4×200 has been scratched. St. Edward’s Aaron Zedella is the lead contender for shot put and discus. Just ask Kevin Kavalec. Even with personal records, Kevin has been awed by the great Zedella. Cleveland Heights is a team to watch, as they are led by Shelton Gibson in the 100, 200, 4×100, and 4×200. Khoury Crenshaw will charge out the Comets of Solon in the 100, 200, and 4×100. The 1600 man for Solon has been Kevin Blank, while Darian Hicks has been very solid in the high jump. Kyle Peterson and Johnathon Spilker lead the Comets in pole vaulting. William Robinson has been solid in the 300-meter hurdles and Jacquez Riggs has carried his team well in the 400, 4×200, and 4×400 for Glenville.
Hotels are packed, and it’s time to hit the track in Columbus. Good luck to everybody!
