TIFFIN – Taking part in their most competitive meet to date, the Fremont Ross track and field teams got a chance to see just how they measure up against some of the top talent in region.
For the most part, the Little and Lady Giants liked what they saw.
AnneMarie Moses
Competing against 12 other programs, the boys team took third place with a total of 75 points while the girls compiled 53 points, placing them seventh.
“This might be one of the better meets in Northwest Ohio this year,” girls head coach Travis Bates said. “I think we found out a lot of things about where they’re at. …We got some work to go, got to get a little better out of the blocks and get ourselves ready for that competition and learn how to prepare.”
The girls’ team was led by strong performances in the field events, including their only first-place of the day, from AnneMarie Moses in the pole vault. Moses, whose season has been off to a frustrating start because weather has forced the pole vault to be cancelled at most of Ross’ meets thus far, cleared 11-00.00 and nearly did even better than that.
“She was well over the bar at 11-6, which I think she was pretty happy with, but then she came down on the bar,” Bates said. “But she was really pleased. She’s getting on the pole now, after a little bit of frustration, not having a chance to really be competitive in a meet, I think she was able to get out there and gain some confidence back and get ready to go.”
While Moses won the pole vault, Sarah Watson and Olive DeRodes took second and third, respectively, in the high jump, each clearing five feet.
Keaton Jordan
“Our high jumpers did really good. Watson did a really nice job, she’s really coming along and she and Olivia are a real nice 1-2 punch,” Bates said. “They were beat up from a couple workouts we had this week, so their legs weren’t really fresh but they cleared five feet pretty easy.”
Continuing to add points from the field events were the Lady Giants’ throwers. Olivia Baptista (32 feet, 8.25 inches) placed third in the shot put while Emma Jahns (31-05.75) took seventh. Marissa Overmyer’s discus throw of 92-08 gave her fifth place in her event.
Bates believes his throwers will continue to add distance.
“I think the shot putters are picking up on the technique a little bit better now,” he said. “I tried to change some things with them so they were getting across the ring better and get their feet under them to use their arm, legs and hips to throw. They’re making that adjustment and they’re getting more time in practice and they’re getting it.”
Like the girls, the boys team picked up its only event victory in the pole vault. Keaton Jordan soared to a height of 13-03, a full 15 inches higher than second place. Isaac Smith came in third in the event, reaching 11-06.
Bates believes Jordan is just getting started.
“Keaton this week, I’ve never him so animated and pumped up and excited,” Bates said. “He’s getting speed on the runway and planting that pole and he was getting up really high a couple days in practice this week, he’s totally ready to go.
“Knock on wood, one of the oldest school records is going to go down this year.”
Evan Stockweather
Ivan Stockweather
Jeff Opelt holds the Ross pole vault record of 14-01, set in 1974. It is the second-oldest mark on the track and field record boards.
Evan and Ivan Starkweather each had busy, and productive, days.
Ivan placed sixth in the 200 dash, seventh in the 400 and, along with Matt Kuyken, Ka’Von Martin and Jayden Scott, helped the 4×400 relay team take fourth.
Evan Starkweather was seventh in the 800 and placed fifth as part of the 4×800 relay, along with Ethan McClory, Martin and Scott.
“The Starkweather boys, they’re going to keep getting better and better as they get more experience,” Bates said. “They have the long legs and that experience is going to help them learn how to run the race right.
Bill Krause Memorial Invitational at Tiffin Columbian
GIRLS
Team scores: 1. Perrysburg 100; 2. Notre Dame Academy 99; 3. Avon Lake 79.5; 4. Tiffin Columbian 68; 5. Celina 63; Toledo Central Catholic 59; 7. Fremont Ross 53; 8. Anthony Wayne 39; 9. St. Paul 37; 10. Bowsher 27.5; 11. Start 20; 12. St. Ursula 13; 13. Van Buren 4.
4×800 Relay: 8. McKela Elder; Madalyn Metcalf; Hayley Wilson; Mara Brown; 11:06.06
100 Hurdles: 7. Janna Sutton, 19.97
100 Dash: No place
4×200 Relay: 8. Kimora Rapp; AnneMarie Moses; Nadia Kirksey; Jazzele Lindsey; 1:53.78
1600 Run: 8. McKela Elder, 5:37.28
4×100 Relay: 8. Janna Sutton; AnneMarie Moses; Alexis Prenzlin; Jazzele Lindsey; 53.59
400 Dash: 4. Kimora Rapp, 1:03.91
300 Hurdles: No place
800 Run: 4. McKela Elder, 2:29.28
200 Dash: No place
3200 Run: No place
4×400 Relay: 7. AnneMarie Moses; Jazzele Lindsey; McKela Elder; Kimora Rapp; 4:24.74
Shot Put: 4. Olivia Baptista, 32-08.25; 7. Emma Jahns, 31-05.75
Discus: 5. Marissa Overmyer, 92-08.
Long Jump: No place
High Jump: 2. Sarah Watson, 5-00.00; 3. Olivia DeRodes, 5-00.00
Pole Vault: 1. AnneMarie Moses, 11-00.00
BOYS
Team results: 1. Perrysburg 147; 2. Celia 79.5; 3. Fremont Ross 75; 4. Tiffin Columbian 40; 5. Toledo Central Catholic 56; 6. Avon Lake 48; 7. Start 44; 8. St. Paul; 9. Mansfield senior 34; 10 Bowsher 20; 11. Anthony Wayne 18.5; 12. Van Buren 17; 13. Bluffton 13.
4×800 Relay: 5. Evan Starkweather; Ethan McClory; Ka’Von Martin; Jayden Scott; 8:52.59
110 Hurdles: 5. Devyn Jagodzinski, 16.09
100 Dash: No place
4×200 Relay: 4. Matt Kuyken; Ka’Von Martin; Ivan Starkweather; Devyn Jagodzinski; 1:35.66
1600 Run: No place
4×100 Relay: 4. Maliek Johnson; Hayden Lehmann; Kamyron Jones; Devyn Jagodzinski; 46.35
400 Dash: 7. Ivan Starkweather, 54.42
300 Hurdles: No place
800 Run: 7. Evan Starkweather, 2:10.21
200 Dash: 6. Ivan Starkweather, 24.89
3200 Run: 5. Ethan McClory, 10:12.20; 6. Zach Edmunds, 10:34.46
4×400 Relay: 4. Matt Kuyken; Ka’Von Martin; Ivan Starkweather; Jayden Scott; 3:38.03
Shot Put: 4. Jason Burling, 44-09.00
Discus: 2. Jason Burling, 144-03; 7. Mike Thomas, 134-10
Long Jump: 7. Kamyron Jones, 19-00.00
High Jump: 4. Hayden Lehmann, 5-08.00
Pole Vault: 1. Keaton Jordan, 13-03.00; 3. Isaac Smith, 11-06.00