Best State Meet performances that you have witnessed - top 3

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ENA2

Member
Mile split just posted this discussion. Thought it may be worth reminiscing here to help make it through the next month.
I have seen a few great efforts and I will not include any from kids who are from our school because that is not fare. (that would be my top 10+) We can separate Track events from Field events and Boys and Girls. These are effort that for most observers did not appear to be possible.
Running: Guys
#3 - Woodridge's 4 x 800 7:37.xx, 2011 (state record at the time) - beat a great Akron SVSM foursome who beat woodridge at District and regionals ( I believe)
#2 - Lake Catholics 4 x 400 in 2015 - only a 3:19, but .05 separated the top 3 teams, and anchor Ludwig (a pole-vaulter) come back from oblivion to catch 3 studs - can find the video on U-tube. watch it if you can.
#1 Darrell Huges (Gallowway westland) - 1991 - 1600/800 double (on a hot day). dominated the 1600 in 4:11.xx, Looked out of it in the 800 (last at 400 in about 57.5) then passed the field (55.0) to win - "only" a 1:52, but was AWSOME to see it done.

I only saw Nelloms win the hurdles and 400 his senior year and did not see the 200 and that was great, but expected.... So many other thrilling thing that I have seen. From a DIII school, and often wish I had stayed for all the DI and DII when I get home and see the results.

Girls:
#3 - Sunni Olding (Minster) 2004 - helped the 4 x 800 win on Friday, Then won the 1600/3200 (State meet DIII records of 4:48 & 10:38).... Then ran the 4 x 400 (15 min after the 3200) to help the Team win the title - note: I did not time her split, someone said it was about 57.
#2 - Abby Steiner (Coffman) 2017 - the 4 x 200 anchor was the most thrilling, but records in the 100 (11.59) and 200 (23.63)was not to be expected after ACL surgery the year prior.
#1 - Bridgett Franek - Crestwood (2006) - 1600/800/3200 (4:56. 2:11-DII meet record, 10:43 - Meet record) also helped the 4 x 800 win on Friday and TEAM victory.
*Jessica Beards 400 (51.5?) was also thrilling and her effort in the 4 x 800 the day before was great to witness and SO many other great effort for the girls too.

Will post field events later.... Great Memories.
I want to read what stands out for the Yappi world.
 
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badger1

Member
Hands down, the best performance in the 43 straight state championships that I’ve attended was Bridget Franek’s meet in 2006. Not only was she a complete beast herself winning the 1600/800/3200, but the Red Devils won the team championship with distance kids (Cassie Schenk was 2nd in 1600/3200 and they won the 4x8) and a discus thrower.
 
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Mr. Slippery

Well-known member
Haven't given it much thought, but Marty Coolidge's (Elyria Catholic) win in the D2 3200 in 2010 will make my top 3 on the boys' side. He was a distant 3rd going into the final lap and pulled a heroic 400 seemingly out of nowhere.
 
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grange45

Active member
For me it has to be the DI girls 4x800 a couple years back where the top two teams broke the state record at the time and also broke 9 minute barrier.

The Andrew Jordan and Gavon Gaynor performances during their senior year was awesome to watch but not as much at state, even though Gaynor won back to back state titles in the 1600.

It would of been great to see Caleb Brown's performance this year. He probably would of broke the state meet record...easily.

Also I got to throw in St. X's Vitucci and Hall performance at state in the 4x800 and their individual races. That whole season was fun to watch as well.
 
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FossyWriter8

FossyWriter8

Active member
Fostoria senior Cory Echelberry winning the boys 1999 Division II discus title.
Meet was at Dayton's Welcome Stadium, with the discus held in the park next door (I think it's Welcome Park).
Echelberry had set the Division II state record earlier that year with a toss of 202-4, so what happened wasn't unexpected by some.
At the time, a flag was set out in the middle the throwing area, marking the state record.
Safety rules were a bit lax at the time, so fans on blankets and lawn chairs crowded around the flag's area. Officials warned them to back up, but few did. At least then.
Echelberry's first two prelim throws went 180-1 and 189-2. Each landed and skidded through the crowd, time forcing fans to back up.
His third throw flew 203-7.
That wound up being his best toss of the day.
It set records for Division II state, Division II state meet and all-time state meet.
The only record he didn't set that day was the all-time best throw in Ohio high school history.
I believe he still holds the record for the best throw at the state meet.
 
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SirStanley

Well-known member
I'm surprised that my top 3 have already been mentioned:
1.) Bob Kennedy 1600m (1988 -- senior year) -- He could have easily doubled in the 1600/3200 (probably had done that before), but he was making an assault on the 4-minute mark. Ended up with maybe 4:05, but it wasn't just the great time in what my memory says was a brutally hot day but just how much space there was between him and second place.
2.) Chris Nelloms 400m (year? 1989? -- certainly as a senior) -- The win was no surprise. The run and the time were electric.
3.) Lake Catholic 4x400 (2015) -- It was already a great race between Eastmoor and Dunbar. My eyes were glued on their runners -- way out in front -- with no idea who would win. I never even saw the Lake Catholic anchor runner (ENA2, you say he was a pole vaulter; I think I had read he was a decathlete) until he bolted by the other two runners who both dove for the finish line. The link:
 
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mathking

Well-known member
LaVonna Martin in 1984 winning the 100 hurdles, 300 hurdles and 200, with a second in the 100 to win her second straight team title by herself. Scott Fry winning the 1600 and 3200 in 1985 (4:08 / 8:48) which is still one of the most amazing doubles I have ever seen. I will agree with Grange45 about that girls 4x800 race. And with SirStanley about that D2 boys 4x400. Brannon Kidder's comeback to win the 800 (after winning the 1600) in 2012. That second lap was AMAZING. The boys D1 1600 in 2017 with 3 guys under 4:10 and 4:12, 4:13, 4:13, 4:14 and 4:15 not making the podium. I have a personal bias for the D1 girls 4x200 in 2016 with Abby Steiner completing a huge comeback to nip Withrow for the win.
 
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SirStanley

Well-known member
Another favorite moment was there as a year where no boys D2 team was acquiring many points. A handful (four? this is all from memory) of teams had 20 points from two firsts, but a team (maybe Akron Hoban?) that maybe didn't realize they were in the hunt had a 10-8-4 = 22 points that allowed them to be surprising state champions. It was really fun seeing the reaction of the boys upon learning they had won the meet.
 
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psycho_dad

Well-known member
Boys top individual races I've ever seen.

#3 and #3A... Bob Henes (Woodridge) winning the 1600 and 3200 in 1986 (D2) and Mark Croghan (Green) winning the 1600 and 3200 in 1986 (D1) Both just masterful races. Perfectly run. Almost carbon copies of each other. Woodridge took 2nd in D2 to the best overall team I've ever seen Columbus Hartley (56). Woodridge had 2 kids and scored 33. Green won D1 with 3 kids. Croghan and 16'+ pole vaulter and 6'8" HJ ( I think they had to do some events inside because of weather. Might have been a different year though. Don't get me wrong, Fry was tough in his double win, but his was a no doubter from the gun. These were nail biters and just perfectly run.

#2... Chris Nelloms vs Robert Smith 1989 400m dash. That entire meet was unreal with Nelloms, Robert Smith, Terry Glenn and Jeff Howard (2nd in the 3200) I believe both Nelloms and Smith broke the all time state record held by Nelloms the year before. Have never seen a HS 400 like that 46.34 and 46.61

I did not live in Ohio at the time. Lived in Columbia SC. Was moving to Tacoma Washington and was just driving up to see family before we drove out to Washington. We were in a terrible storm through Tennessee and West Virginia. Decided to get a hotel and in the morning I decided to go towards Columbus to watch the state meet. Can't remember why, but I only saw part of the meet and that was one of the races I saw. It was worth it.

#1... Dan Franek beating Scott Fry 1984. Both tan 9:06 Seemed like they were never more than .50 seconds from each other. Just a two man race from gun to finish. Franek was the toughest guy I ever ran against. (You didn't even notice there were other runners in the race)

Funny how distance runners used to double!
 
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mathking

Well-known member
Psychodad, I did watch Henes and Croghan in 1986. It was my senior year of HS. Those were awesome pairs of races. That Hartley team was our foe over and over and over during my HS days. I think we (Granville) were 6th that year. That 1984 Franek v. Fry race was awesome. Did Franek also run the 1600 that year? I remember Fry winning but the only other guy I remember seeing in that race was Tom Schnurr.
 
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psycho_dad

Well-known member
mathking said:
Psychodad, I did watch Henes and Croghan in 1986. It was my senior year of HS. Those were awesome pairs of races. That Hartley team was our foe over and over and over during my HS days. I think we (Granville) were 6th that year. That 1984 Franek v. Fry race was awesome. Did Franek also run the 1600 that year? I remember Fry winning but the only other guy I remember seeing in that race was Tom Schnurr.
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No, Franek did not. I think he had bad shins in CC and Track and had to pick and choose races. Little training from what I remember.

The 1600 in D3 (Class A) in 84 was a good race too.

My Brother was the Teammate that paired with Henes to take 2nd.
 
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cvctrackfan

Well-known member
SirStanley said:
I'm surprised that my top 3 have already been mentioned:
1.) Bob Kennedy 1600m (1988 -- senior year) -- He could have easily doubled in the 1600/3200 (probably had done that before), but he was making an assault on the 4-minute mark. Ended up with maybe 4:05, but it wasn't just the great time in what my memory says was a brutally hot day but just how much space there was between him and second place.
2.) Chris Nelloms 400m (year? 1989? -- certainly as a senior) -- The win was no surprise. The run and the time were electric.
3.) Lake Catholic 4x400 (2015) -- It was already a great race between Eastmoor and Dunbar. My eyes were glued on their runners -- way out in front -- with no idea who would win. I never even saw the Lake Catholic anchor runner (ENA2, you say he was a pole vaulter; I think I had read he was a decathlete) until he bolted by the other two runners who both dove for the finish line. The link:
Click to expand...
 
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cvctrackfan

Well-known member
In that 2015 D2 4X400 relay that Lake Catholic anchor was the 300 hurdle State Champ. And this years Indoor National Pole vault champion. Also in that race was that years 800 and 110 hurdle State champions.
 
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psycho_dad

Well-known member
Another memory I have is of Riak Reese of Gahanna Lincoln just carrying his relay in the 4x100 in 2013. Dead last by a lot to 3rd.

Let's see how good my memory is. I looked up the result, so I know they were 3rd. My recollection is that they were dead last and he nearly got them to 2nd. He was at least 10m behind 3rd when he got the stick.
 
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Mr. Slippery

Well-known member
For my 2nd of 3 moments on the boys' side, I'm going with Donovan Robertson's performance in the finals. His hurdle performances were outstanding, especially the 300, but I was even more impressed by his performance in the 4x4.

My biggest disappointment of that day is that I did not see Meghan Vogel help Arden McMath across the finish line in the girls D3 3200. I was in the parking lot helping kids transfer their luggage from one vehicle to another. I returned to the stadium shortly after that race ended.

For my 3rd of 3 moments on the boys' side, it's a difficult choice. I loved Kidder's successful 16-8 double. He was in about 15th in the 800 with 300 left and just hit the turbo. However, I'm going with Celina's Andrew Goodwin's D1 3200 win in 2010 over the highly decorated Zach Wills.
 
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psycho_dad

Well-known member
Woodridge had 2 kids in that race. Let's see how good my memory is again. The only reason it's not one of my all time favorites is I thought it was as much lost as won, but I could be way off. I'll watch tomorrow after work to see how close I am.

I remember thinking that Brajdic went way too early. He had a lead with 400 to go and lost by 5 sec. He had no gear left to go to. Coolidge ran about a 66 last 400, so that would put Brajdic at 73 ish. 68 ish was all he needed and I think that was what he was averaging all race. It was the last 200 where Coolidge out ran him by 10 seconds or more. Is that close? Again, going by memory, I thought they were rolling around at about 9:00 pace all race and Brajdic threw in a big surge with 600 to go and just ran out of gas with 200 left. Wasn't Liston leading it until the final lap? Those 3 were way out front. It was like a who's who of D2 distance kids at the time. For some reason I thought they were going under 9:00 all race. Am I wrong on that? Do I have my years mixed up?
 
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Mr. Slippery

Well-known member
psycho_dad said:
Woodridge had 2 kids in that race. Let's see how good my memory is again. The only reason it's not one of my all time favorites is I thought it was as much lost as won, but I could be way off. I'll watch tomorrow after work to see how close I am.

I remember thinking that Brajdic went way too early. He had a lead with 400 to go and lost by 5 sec. He had no gear left to go to. Coolidge ran about a 66 last 400, so that would put Brajdic at 73 ish. 68 ish was all he needed and I think that was what he was averaging all race. It was the last 200 where Coolidge out ran him by 10 seconds or more. Is that close? Again, going by memory, I thought they were rolling around at about 9:00 pace all race and Brajdic threw in a big surge with 600 to go and just ran out of gas with 200 left. Wasn't Liston leading it until the final lap? Those 3 were way out front. It was like a who's who of D2 distance kids at the time. For some reason I thought they were going under 9:00 all race. Am I wrong on that? Do I have my years mixed up?
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I believe you have the right year. Liston was the defending champ. Brajdic's best year was still ahead of him. Winning time was around 9:03. W/ 600 to go, Coolidge was fighting to hang on, but a gap had formed b/w the front 2 and him. It appeared Coolidge was broken w/ 500 to go. Bill Carson could probably offer more insight on this, but Brajdic probably didn't trust his kick, so he surged and broke Liston by 300 to go. Unless he took a look at the Jumbotron, he wouldn't have had any reason to think anyone was coming when he hit 200 to go. Coolidge rallied on the backstretch and passed Liston around 230 to go, caught Brajdic at 100 to go and kept on trucking. Brajdic was probably too stunned to respond, but I doubt there was any way he was going to outsprint Coolidge at that point. Coolidge had a "gut check" with 400 left and decided he wanted it. His last lap was a 63 according to my watch.

Just looked at the results from the race - 3 really good freshmen in that race with Wharton, Prakel, and Flores.
 
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psycho_dad

Well-known member
Mr. Slippery said:
I believe you have the right year. Liston was the defending champ. Brajdic's best year was still ahead of him. Winning time was around 9:03. W/ 600 to go, Coolidge was fighting to hang on, but a gap had formed b/w the front 2 and him. It appeared Coolidge was broken w/ 500 to go. Bill Crason could probably offer more insight on this, but Brajdic probably didn't trust his kick, so he surged and broke Liston by 300 to go. Unless he took a look at the Jumbotron, he wouldn't have had any reason to think anyone was coming when he hit 200 to go. Coolidge rallied on the backstretch and passed Liston around 230 to go, caught Brajdic at 100 to go and kept on trucking. Brajdic was probably too stunned to respond, but I doubt there was any way he was going to outsprint Coolidge at that point. Coolidge had a "gut check" with 400 left and decided he wanted it. His last lap was a 63 according to my watch.

Just looked at the results from the race - 3 really good freshmen in that race with Wharton, Prakel, and Flores.
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I'm wrong. I remember that race. I discount Coolidge winning as someone else losing. That's because that's how I won races. So, I kind of think I look at it like if I would have done it that way, Brajdic and Liston must have messed up. I can put myself in Coolidge's shoes, but I can't in the other two. I would lose every time if I ran like Liston or Brajdic did, but they would lose every time if they ran like I did. 9:08 ain't no joke. It was obviously a great race for me to remember it. I had two kids in it that I can barely tell you what they did. They weren't in contact with anyone, I know that.

How I think Liston could have won. If he could have gotten out front enough to where Brajdic and Coolidge just started racing each other and sort of conceded to him. Brajdic was too similar to let that happen. Too much strain on the brain having to have two guys that close all race.

Where I think Brajdic made a mistake. He made too big a move too soon. It's my opinion that he needed to spread that effort out over the entire lap. Gradually distancing himself from Coolidge so that Coolidge gradually hurt but was still in contact enough to try and keep contact. Running his legs and mind out. By making a big move and putting a lot of distance between himself and Coolidge, he allowed Coolidge to sort of give up and relax and mentally let go. Coolidge then shook himself out of it and got mad and at least was going to get second. He had down shifted to a point he could start going through the gears again. Once he did that, and knew he had second...Why not first?! He still had a gear to use. I think Brajdic had a good idea, but he would have broken Liston just as much with a gradual move. Just my thought. It wasn't stupid, it just unfortunately gave Coolidge a break before that last 200 interval he had to get through for the day.
 
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S

SOTT

Active member
SirStanley said:
I'm surprised that my top 3 have already been mentioned:
1.) Bob Kennedy 1600m (1988 -- senior year) -- He could have easily doubled in the 1600/3200 (probably had done that before), but he was making an assault on the 4-minute mark. Ended up with maybe 4:05, but it wasn't just the great time in what my memory says was a brutally hot day but just how much space there was between him and second place.
2.) Chris Nelloms 400m (year? 1989? -- certainly as a senior) -- The win was no surprise. The run and the time were electric.
3.) Lake Catholic 4x400 (2015) -- It was already a great race between Eastmoor and Dunbar. My eyes were glued on their runners -- way out in front -- with no idea who would win. I never even saw the Lake Catholic anchor runner (ENA2, you say he was a pole vaulter; I think I had read he was a decathlete) until he bolted by the other two runners who both dove for the finish line. The link:
Click to expand...

Matt Ludwig, the anchor, is the reigning USA Indoor National Champion in the pole vault. He has a PB of 5.90 (19-04.25). He is a graduate of Akron.
 
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SOTT

Active member
Most memorable that I've actually witnessed:

1. Abby Steiner's anchor leg in the 4x200
2. 2015 Girls D1 4x800. Brittany Aveni of Geneva went out in about 1:30.xx and had a huge gap on the two chasers...
3. Olivia Howell's 800 victory last year.
 
E

ENA2

Member
These are great to read.... make me wish I could just be a spectator for all 3 divisions... but then again, missing some great efforts due to coaching others, or checking on kids who need to hydrate, or get out of the sun, or get them back to the hotel to rest for the next day,...etc. is nice too.
U-tube is great to see some of the more modern highlights, but it's not the same as seeing it live in real time. ANYWAY,
Here are my field event first hand, eyewitness, Top 3 for guys and girls.
Guys:
#3 2011 Matthis Tayala (McDonald) in the Discus: 196' 3 and winning over 2nd place by 30'... also won the shot with a nice 64'+ (did not see that)
- this is nice because I rarely get out to the throws, unless our team has someone competing (we did in this case)... HE dominated both events.
#2 2009 Erik Kynard (Toledo Rogers) clearing 7' 1"in the high jump.... only saw it because the PA announcer called attention to it (I believe) which added pressure to it. - I know he jumped higher during that season, but that's the best I have witnessed. It was amazing to me.
#1 - 2011 - Jacob Blankenship (Gahanna Lincoln) winning the Pole Vault in 17' 0" and defeating the Uhle brothers from Olentangy - was a great year in the PV in Ohio... and he took the Gold
- I saw some great long jumpers as well but these I remember as thinking "WOW" when I saw them.

Girls:
#3 2019 - just last year when Kenna Stimmal (Margaretta) won the DIII title - as a Freshman - with a new DIII record (13' 0.25) weather was not good as a storm was rolling in and she nailed it.
#2 2003 - Tianna Maddison goin 20' 5.75" in the long jump.... seemed to be in the air for 10 seconds..... and I may have not seen the winning jump.
I saw her take a couple jumps that year from across the track and I don't know what jumps they were.... This could be #1, if I could have gotten closer. Welcome Stadium was very crowded if I recall.
#1 - Taylor Burke (Medina) going 6' 1+" in the high jump in 2011? - a great effort and 2nd place (5' 11") was the Hoover girl who I was rooting for.
... again, I may have not seen the actual 6' 1.25" jump.... did she have to clear 6' 0 first to get the win?... If I recall, I just saw the winning jump and didn't realize that she would clear the record. Either way, whatever I saw was impressive.
Again, these stand out for me to see as they happened and each was not only impressive, they were also surprised/shocked me a little.
Also reminds me that I miss a lot by not going out to the throws as there have been many that would "wow" me.
 
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FootballCoach

Member
For me it's easy. Dustin Brode from Canfield. Watching him throw the shot for a state record of 71' 7.5" then turning around and throwing the discus close to 200 feet with a torn labrum was amazing to watch!!
 
SpeedSafety25

SpeedSafety25

Member
Donovan Roberts winning the 300m hurdles was impressive.
Jessica Beard in the 400m.
The lady Midpark 4x400m with those twins pulling it out at the end.
The D3 hurdler/sprinter that went in to Youngstown state.
Woodridge 4x800 was very thrilling.
But the best for me was the Glenville boys dominating everything they touched in the sprints for years on end- especially the 4x200m. They didn't seem like boys.
 
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JOSP

New member
I'm biased to d3, but my top 3 boys races

Jared Krout vs. Joe Horn 400m (Both under previous record with Horn winning in low 47's)

Nick Bame vs. Brendan Siefker in 1600, Siefker ran 4:13.xx and Bame 4:14.xx, was an exciting race from start to finish

Chad Zallow broke record in 110's during prelims, broke 100m record during finals. (He and Coates led Warren JFK to team title in 2015)
 
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