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Published: Friday, May 18, 2007

Poland kicks in 4x800 preparation

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The Bulldogs have their sights set on a state trip.

By MARK W. MILLER

VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

SALEM — Chris Hanna, Sean Murphy, Jimmy Ramson and Tim Sutcliffe of Poland High School took first place in the 4x800-meter relay in a season-best time of 8 minutes, 10.29 seconds at the Division II district track and field meet Thursday at Reilly Stadium.

"The hay's in the barn, now we'll wait and see what happens," said Ramson, a senior.

He was referring to next week's regional meet at Ravenna.

"We didn't get to state last year and will need a time of 8:05 to get there," Ramson said.

"Our only loss in the 4x8 this season was to Boardman at the Poland Invitational," said Hanna, a senior.

"We'll start to prepare for the region Sunday," said Sutcliffe. "We get along well at practices, take 15 minutes to loosen up and do 60 minutes of basic runs."

After four boys events Canton Central Catholic and Salem were tied for first place with 26 points and Poland was third with 18. The top four finishers in each event advanced to the regional.

United's 4x800 relay of Richard Barker, Matt Houk, Joseph Karmazin and Codey Baker also advanced, finishing third in 8:21.98.

Long jump

Jon Lee of Salem was in fifth place going into his final jump in the long jump. He then won with a jump of 20 feet, 21/4 inches.

It was raining and Lee, the defending district champ said, "The weather was annoying me and I was frustrated with what I was trying to do, but gave it everything I had on that last jump."

Lee was also a member of Salem's 4x100 and 4x200 relay teams that advanced to the finals Saturday, which will get under way at 10 a.m.

Anthony Mullen of Niles was second in the long jump (19-101/2) and Dom Scarnecchia of Mooney was fourth (19-43/4).

Salem sophomore Mike Boggs won the discus with a throw of 144-7 and his teammate, Jeremiah Folger, finished fourth (138-6). Poland's Ross Wetzel (141-8) was second and Tom Boals of West Branch was third (139-0).

Ashley Galbraith of Struthers won the high jump (5-3).

"I tried to set the meet record [5-81/4], but couldn't get it," said Galbraith, a junior. "I just missed twice when my drag leg knocked the bar off."

Her goal is to get back to state where she placed second (5-5).

"A lot of the girls at state last year didn't graduate and some of them will be at the regional and that will make it more competitive and I'll have to jump my best," she said.

Tricia Tenzek of United tied for third at 5-0.

Canton Central Catholic led the standings after three events with 18 points, and Salem and Southeast were tied with 14.
Salem's young 4x800 relay team of Lauren Shivers (a sophomore), Sarah Yerkey and Liz Shivers (both juniors) and Bethany Huston (a freshman) took second place in the 4x800 relay (9:57.7), losing to Canton Central Catholic (9:50.24).

"We didn't make it to the regional last year and now we have an added incentive when we get another chance against Canton Central Catholic," Liz Shivers said.

The four girls were members of the Quakers' Division II state cross country championship team in the fall.

West Branch's Emilee Zetts, Lacey Sanor, Rebekah Owen and Nicole Culler also advanced (10:01.9) with a third-place finish.

Nikki Murphy of Southeast won the shot put (37-6), Sarah Brobeck of Salem was third (36-5) and KaiCee Kubicinia of Newton Falls was fourth (35-101/4).

miller@vindy.com

Friday, May 18, 2007