Fairfield County track athletes shooting for state gold
BEXLEY - The only thing that could stop Blake Morman's climb Sunday was the 4x200 relay.
The Liberty Union senior cleared a personal-best 15 feet and was attempting to clear 15-6 when he was called away to help the Lions compete in the 4x200 during the Division II-III Central District Indoor meet at Capital University. With Morman fatigued following the race, and he and his coaches agreed 15-6 could wait.
That wait might not be long as it could end Saturday when Morman attempts to win a state indoor title Saturday afternoon at the University of Akron. Morman's height of 15-0 moved into third place on the state rankings.
"I practiced outside the other day, and I felt great," said Morman, who was joined by Nick Barker, Jameson Hern and Cole Peardon on the winning 4x200 (1:39.31). "Indoors, you don't have to deal with wind or anything, so it definitely does make a difference. But I feel like I have performed well indoors so much so that I can keep it going outdoors."
While most vaulters reach periodic plateaus, Morman so far has been able to continue climbing. He tied the outdoor school record at 14-0 a season ago, and he eventually placed seventh in the Division II state meet.
Morman worked throughout the offseason with Watkins Memorial coach Marty Dahlman, who previously tutored Berne Union graduate Jesse Oxley, and he quickly is ascending.
"I have just been gradually getting higher and higher it seems every meet," said Morman, who was unable to qualify for the indoor state meet in 2016 because of an injury. "Obviously, I can't do that without my coaches."
Katie Hanson, Logan Lawhorn, Alaina Miller and Elayna Miracle won the girls 4x800 (10:53.46) for the Lions.
Fairfield Union was not eligible to compete in the CDI, but the Falcons could be well-represented at the state meet Saturday. Emma Hoellrich entered the weekend ranked second in the girls 3,200, and teammate Heather Lecrone also is in line to qualify as is the 4x800, and Berne Union's Jayden Tharp might qualify in the pole vault.
In boys, Fairfield Union's Nae Rennie has the second-fastest time in the 400, and the Falcons also have the second-fastest time in the 4x400 thanks to contributions from Justin Wolfe and Cullen Dennis, who also each might qualify in the 400, and Cameron House.
Purcell wins high jump
The indoor season is a necessary evil for Hope Purcell.
The Lancaster junior might not enjoy competing indoors as much as she does outdoors, but her opponents would never know it. Purcell cleared 5-feet-4 to win the Division I meet Sunday, and she is set up to have a strong showing at the state meet Saturday morning.
"I did pretty well. I came in a lot more confident than past meets this season," said Purcell, who also placed fourth in the 55 hurdles (8.67). "Last year, I got 5-4 also, so it's looking pretty consistent. I want to do better at the state meet. I would definitely prefer outdoor season, but it prepares me a lot more."
Kyleigh Edwards won the 3,200 (11:08.89), and she entered the weekend with the second-best Division I time in the event. Briahna Sark placed third in the shot put (34-4.5) and weight throw (34-11.25), which likely put Sark in position to qualify in the event. She already was in qualifying position in the shot put.
In the boys meet, Luke Sheridan placed second in the weight throw (58-2), and Tyler Woodruff tied for third in the pole vault (11-6). Sheridan is qualified to compete in the weight throw Saturday, and Andy Ferris and Will Metcalf-Shull are qualified in distance events while also helping the Gales to the third-fastest time in the 4x800.
ksnyder@gannett.com
740-328-8556
Twitter: @newarkurt