Track and Field Insider: Trinity continues to dominate
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Because of its small enrollment, Trinity seldom claims North Coast League titles, but last weekend the Trojans boys won their 19th NCL track crown since the league's inception in 1985.
"We always seem to do well in track." Trojans coach John Kall said, "and this year is no different. We are also 12-0 in dual and triangular meets, and I'm hoping we'll get good performances at state. We'll know more in the Division III district at Independence because Gilmour Academy will also be there and they have a very strong team."
Trinity's best bets for state are senior Jonathan Bobak and sophomore Nick Gliha. Bobak was the state indoors runner-up in the 200 meters, and so far this spring owns the fastest time in Division III in the state at 22.11. He was also the NCL champ in the 100 and 200 and anchored winning 4x100 and 4x200 relays.
Bobak's main threat in the 200 is Gilmour senior Thomas Hallal, the returning outdoor state runner-up.
Gliha's time in the 1,600 is 4:24.05 - also the fastest in the state in Division III - and his time in the 3,200 is 9:35.86, second to Gilmour junior Bart Merkel (9:32.02). Gliha also ran a fine leadoff leg in the winning 4x800 relay at 1:58.01.
Kall keeps his fingers crossed with his 4x100 team of Brian Smith, Nick Swanson, Dan Giangrande and Bobak (44.08), and his 4x200 team of Smith, Steve Mlinaric, Swanson and Bobak.
"These are strong relay teams, but like I said, some of the best Division III teams in the state are at the Independence district," Kall said. "Besides Gilmour, Kirtland and Hawken are also strong. We will be tested often and early."
At the NCL meet, Trinity senior DeVon Blackwell won the discus for a fourth consecutive year and broke the meet record with a toss of 160 feet, 6 inches. He was also second in the shot put at 50-11¼.
She's back: After a month off resting a pulled hamstring, Collinwood junior Erin Busbee returned last Friday to win the long jump at the prestigious Jesse Owens Classic at Ohio State with a leap of 18-6.
Collinwood girls coach Lou Slapnik hopes Busbee stays healthy the rest of the season. The Division I Railroaders won the girls team title with 67 points, nine more than runner-up Warrensville Heights. Amber Smith, a junior, won both hurdles, capturing the 100 in a meet-record 14.44, and beating out teammate Tiera Royal in the 300, 44.63 to 46.34.
"If we're going to win state, we'll need Erin Busbee healthy," Slapnik said. "Hopefully she remains 100 percent through the end of the season."
More Owens champs: Other area winners in the girls division of the Jesse Owens Classic were Taylor Burke of Medina, who tied the Owens Stadium record with a 5-9 high jump; Anna Boyert of Medina, who won the 1,600 in 5:20.75; and Asia Hill of Warrensville, the 800 winner in 2:25.51.
Among the boys, Bedford sophomore Nick Kaiser stunned John Adams senior Willie Brown in the 800, 1:55.81 to 1:55.95; Brunswick junior Devon Snack won the 1,600 in 4:31.6; John F. Kennedy senior Arnez Harnick won the 100 in 11.21, and junior teammate Alonzo Wooten won the 200 in 22.3; and Midpark sophomore Connor Neu missed winning the discus by four inches at 172-4, while Waterloo senior Jeff Long was third at 170-6.
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:pgalbincea@plaind.com, 216-999-5159
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