Former Marysville High School track standout Jacob Ranker clears a hurdle in this file photo. After competing three seasons at Miami of Ohio University, Ranker will run for the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame this spring.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
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A former local high school track and field athlete has made the jump from the Mid American Conference to the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Jacob Ranker, a 2019 graduate of Marysville High School, is a fifth-year senior at the University of Notre Dame.
Ranker was a four-year letterman in track and field for MHS and still holds the school’s boys outdoor record in the 300 meter hurdles with a time of 37.87.
That came during a season in which MHS did not compete in a home meet.
“Jacob had a remarkable senior season, especially considering that was the year of stadium construction and we didn’t have a track,” said Marysville head coach Luke Sundermeier. “One of the great things about Jacob’s contribution is his willingness to give back.
“He always stops in at practice when he’s home and follows the team results throughout the season.” said the coach. “We’re cheering him on during his final college season.”
Ranker earned All-Ohio honors in the 300 hurdles and district accolades in the 110 and 300 hurdle events during his senior season.
Ranker began his collegiate track and field career at Miami of Ohio University.
He competed in the sport for three seasons after having lost the 2020 campaign due to the coronavirus pandemic that shut down athletics.
“I was granted a fifth year of NCAA eligibility because of COVID-19,” he said.
His on-track work at Miami of Ohio produced a number of high finishes in both the hurdles and on relay teams.
Ranker earned second-team conference accolades in hurdles for the 2023 outdoor season.
He earned his under-graduate degree in finance and was looking for a school in which to obtain his master’s and also compete one final year in track and field.
“I entered the transfer portal and had also looked at Colorado State,” Ranker said. “Notre Dame has a master’s program in finance and a great indoor track facility in which I could train during the winter.
“I was pretty pleased with my three seasons of track and field at Miami,” he said. “I left with the school’s sixth-fastest time in the 400 hurdles and also competed on the 4×100 and 4×400 relay teams.”
Ranker placed third in the 400 hurdles during the MAC outdoor championships last year with a clocking of 52.45.
He has set definite goals for his final year of competition when the Fighting Irish open the 2024 campaign March 29-30 during the Raleigh Relays at North Carolina State.
“I want to get my 400 hurdle time down to 52 flat,” he said. “Actually, I think I can get it around or under 51.”
He figures that will be about the time he will need in order to achieve another goal.
That one is to qualify for the NCAA East Regional that will be held at the University of Kentucky May 22-25.
Should he be able to compete in the East Regional – and all goes well there – it’s his hope to earn a spot in the NCAA national championship that will be held in Eugene, Oregon, June 5-8.
Ranker said he hopes injuries don’t slow him down this spring.
“I had some hamstring and hip flexor issues while I was at Miami of Ohio,” he said. “Knock on wood… I haven’t had any problems so far this season.”
Once Ranker’s collegiate athletic career is over, he’ll be ready to move on with the next phase of his life.
“I’ve been able to do a lot of networking through Notre Dame,” he said. “I already have a job set up in private equity with the Lyra Technology Group in Chicago.”