Marysville’s Jacquelyn Witt, right, takes the baton from Jenna Rioch during the OCC Central Division girls 4 x 800 relay Thursday evening at Hilliard Davidson. The Lady Monarchs placed second in the event.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
––––
The weather provided added competition for Marysville High School athletes during the opening day of the Ohio Capital Conference Central Division track and field meet.
The conditions were windy and rain fell at times during the competition at Hilliard Davidson High School on Thursday.
The meet was delayed for approximately 30 minutes due to the weather.
Finals were held for both the boys and girls 4 x 800 relays and girls field events.
The Lady Monarch 4 x 800 team of Jenna Rioch, Jacqueline Witt, Haley Cook and Katie Kruger finished as runner-up with a time of 9:58.40.
Hilliard Davidson won the event in 9:17.93.
Relay runners had to contend with a stiff wind on one of the turns to complete the race.
“The girls ran a great time in tough conditions,” said Marysville head coach Luke Sundermeier.
The Monarch boys placed fourth in their 4 x 800 relay.
The foursome of Tristan Karnes, Cole Bautsch, Shane Hothem and Bryce Thomas completed their tours around the track in 8:49.58.
Hilliard Davidson won the event in 8:07.25, followed by Dublin Coffman, 8:30.21 and Upper Arlington, 8:45.65 to round out the top three.
All three of the Lady Monarch pole vaulters scored points during the final of that event.
Brynn Rychlik was third in 9-6.
Mary Calvert was fourth in 9-6 and Katelyn Rabe was sixth in 8-6.
Prelims were contested in a number of running events.
Marysville athletes who will advance to Saturday’s finals at 11 a.m. are as follows:
-Boys 110 hurdles: Jacob Ranker, Blake Angel and Triston Mohler;
-Girls 100 hurdles: Rabe;
-Boys 300 hurdles: Ranker, Anthony Kessler, Angel;
-Girls 300 hurdles: Cook, Kendal Ellerbrock;
-Girls 400 dash: Rioch;
-Boys 400 dash: Griffin Rigel.
“It was a solid day for us,” said Sundermeier. “We scored some points and advanced a number of athletes to Saturday’s finals.
“Our boys and girls hurdle group had a great night.”