Div. II district track: Versailles teams have big day

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PIQUA — Versailles’ girls track and field team finished first in the Division II district meet on Saturday at Alexander Stadium in Piqua while the boys finished second.

Versailles’ girls won with 103.5 points, while Oakwood was second with 87.5 points.

Sophomore Lucy Prakel got the day started right, winning the pole vault with a height of 11-0.

“I didn’t feel like it was a sure thing, but certainly felt like I was capable of winning,” Prakel said.

Prakel changed her early strategy, getting in at 9-foot.

“I wasn’t going to get in until later, but there were only four girls left at nine feet, so I decided to get in,” Prakel said. “I missed my first attempt, so I was a little nervous, but I was fine after that.”

After clearing 11-0, she elected to move the bar to 11-9.

“I was going for the meet record,” Prakel said. “I had a couple good attempts at it. That, or something close to it, will be the goal at regional.”

She also teamed with Ellen Peters, Ali Moran and Ava Moran to win the 400 relay in 50.20.

“All of our handoffs were nearly perfect,” Prakel said. “To win a sprint relay against this kind of competition, that is an accomplishment.”

Ellen Peters felt like she had something to prove in the 300 hurdles — and the senior did exactly that. Running in lane seven after having the sixth fastest qualifying time Thursday, Peters won in 46.84.

“I had one of the top times and I just didn’t have a good time Thursday,” Peters said. “It made me mad. I was dealing with a little tightness.”

Lane seven worked to her advantage Saturday, as she set the tone from the start.

“That’s the advantage of being outside (you can’t see anyone),” Peters said. “You don’t have worry about anyone else. You can go out and set the pace. I had no idea where I was until the last hurdle. Hopefully, I can run a good race at regional and maybe even make it to state.”

Senior Kenia McEldowney picked up a win the 800 in 2:20.90.

“It feels really good,” McEldowney said. “I have been working hard every year to get better and I am a senior now.”

She led for most of the race, but Oakwood’s Mary Kidwell passed her at about the 200-meter mark. McEldowney was patient, taking Kidwell in the final 50 meters for the win. Kidwell was second in 2:21.69.

“I thought I would be able to pass her,” McEldowney said. “That was a PR for me. I still want to get down in the teens (under 2:20). That will be a goal next week.”

The top four finishers in each event qualify for regionals. Ava Moran finished second in the 100 (13.19), third in the 200 (26.73) and teamed with Cassie Francis, Liz Watren and Lindsey Winner for third in the 800 relay (1:46.44).

Dana Rose took second in the 100 hurdles (15.96) and third in the 300 hurdles (47.06) to advance in both events.

The 1,600 relay (Watren, Winner, McEldowney, Ellen Peters) was third in (4:02.52).

Dunbar’s boys won with 110 points, while Versailles was a close second with 104.

Joe Spitzer had another big day winning the 1,600 (4:32.10) and 3,200 (9:29.51).

“I felt like I ran well,” Spitzer said.

He was joined by teammate Brooks Blakeley in the 1,600, who finished second in 4:33.83.

“Brooks (Blakeley) has worked really hard and improved a lot,” Spitzer said. “It would be great if we could both make it to state.”

A weather delay hit in the middle of the girls 3,200 race — just before Spitzer was scheduled to run in the boys 3,200. Spitzer used that to his advantage, winning in a meet-record time.

“Actually, I was kind of glad,” Spitzer said before going out and winning the race. “If we wouldn’t have had the delay, it would have been pouring when I had to run.”

AJ Ahrens added a win for the Tigers in the shot put, with a distance of 50-10 1-2.

He got that distance on his second put in prelims.

“I figured that would be (good enough to win),” Ahrens said. “I was hoping for the school record, which is 52-something.”

Which is on thing to shoot for next week.

“I want to get it next week,” Ahrens said. “I was at regionals last year. The goal for the last two years has been to get to state.”

Josh Steinbrunner had a big day, advancing in three events.

He finished second in the 110 hurdles (14.75), 300 hurdles (40.11) and high jump (6-2).

Cole Condon also advanced, finishing third in the 400 (51.03).

The Div. II regional meet will be held next Thursday and Saturday at Alexander Stadium in Piqua.

GRAHAM DIV. II DISTRICT MEET

Anna boys finish second

Anna’s boys squad finished as runner-up in the Div. II meet on Saturday at Graham, while several girls qualified for next week’s regional meet.

The Rockets had 76 points, behind first-place Springfield Shawnee (113.5).

Austin Fogt had another big day for the Rockets. He was first in the 110 hurdles (15.34), second in 300 hurdles (41.09) and fourth in the high jump (6-0).

Jeffrey Richards was second in the 100-meter dash (11.55). Bart Bixler was fourth in the 400-meter dash (52.44).

The Rockets’ boys 4×100 relay finished fourth (44.87), 4×200 relay finished second (1:32.41) and 4×400 relay finished third (3:31.52).

Hannah Shoemaker qualified for regionals in several events. She was fourth in the 100 hurdles (16.58), second in 300 hurdles (46.04), third in 200-meter dash (26.45) and third in pole vault (9-6).

Versailles’ A.J. Ahrens throws the shot put during the Division II district final meet on Saturday at Alexander Stadium in Piqua.
http://www.sidneydailynews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2018/05/web1_051918mju_track_vhs_ajahrens_ne201852012259897-1.jpgVersailles’ A.J. Ahrens throws the shot put during the Division II district final meet on Saturday at Alexander Stadium in Piqua. Mike Ullery | AIM Media Midwest

Versailles’ Ava Moran crosses the finish line in the 100-meter dash during the Division II district final meet on Saturday at Alexander Stadium in Piqua.
http://www.sidneydailynews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2018/05/web1_051918mju_track_vhs_avamoran_ne201852012319398-1.jpgVersailles’ Ava Moran crosses the finish line in the 100-meter dash during the Division II district final meet on Saturday at Alexander Stadium in Piqua. Mike Ullery | AIM Media Midwest

Versailles’ Dana Rose runs in the girls 100-meter hurdles during the Division II district final meet on Saturday at Alexander Stadium in Piqua.
http://www.sidneydailynews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2018/05/web1_051918mju_track_vhs_danarose_ne201852012330806-1.jpgVersailles’ Dana Rose runs in the girls 100-meter hurdles during the Division II district final meet on Saturday at Alexander Stadium in Piqua. Mike Ullery | AIM Media Midwest

Anna’s Jeffrey Richards competes in the 100-meter dash during the Division II district meet preliminaries on Thursday at Graham. Richards finished second in Saturday’s finals in 11.55.
http://www.sidneydailynews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2018/05/web1_SDN061818AnnaTrack7-1.jpgAnna’s Jeffrey Richards competes in the 100-meter dash during the Division II district meet preliminaries on Thursday at Graham. Richards finished second in Saturday’s finals in 11.55. Mike Ullery | AIM Media Midwest

Versailles’ Josh Steinbrunner competes in the boys 110-meter high hurdles during the Division II district final meet on Saturday at Alexander Stadium in Piqua.
http://www.sidneydailynews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2018/05/web1_051918mju_track_vhs_joshsteinbrunner2_ne201852012341682-1.jpgVersailles’ Josh Steinbrunner competes in the boys 110-meter high hurdles during the Division II district final meet on Saturday at Alexander Stadium in Piqua. Mike Ullery | AIM Media Midwest
Anna’s boys squad finishes second at Graham D-II meet

By Rob Kiser

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