By Garth Shanklin
Sports Editor

A few local athletes punched their ticket to the state track and field championships with solid performances in the district meet last week.

In Division I, Amelia’s Maddie Walker placed third in the 1600 meter run, finishing in 4:58.48 to advance to the state meet. Walker placed fifth in the event last season as a freshman.

Milford’s Andrea Armstrong placed fourth in the 200 meter dash to qualify for the state event. Armstrong finished in 25.71 seconds, just over one second behind Withrow’s Doneasha Brewer.

Only one local athlete advanced to the Division II tournament. New Richmond’s Jenna Burns placed third in the 3200 meter run to qualify for state as a freshman. Burns crossed the line in 11:20.31, less than two seconds behind Monroe’s Alayna Garver.

Finally, Williamsburg’s Wyatt Lefker placed second in the Division III pole vault, clearing 14 feet, 4 inches to advance to the state competition. Lefker placed sixth in the event last season with a 13 foot, 8 inch mark.

Another local, Batavia senior Isabella Burton, will compete in the seated division at the state tournament. Burton is scheduled to compete in the 100 meter dash, the 400 meter dash and the shot put.

Other locals posted solid performances, but came up short of the state tournament. Amelia sophomore Morgan Walsh placed sixth in the 800 meter run, finishing in 2:18.13. Armstrong placed 11th in the 100 meter dash for Milford, and the 4×100 meter relay team that she was a part of placed 10th. Madison Chittwood, Lauryn Knarr and Emma Netzel also ran in the 4×100 for Milford.

In Division II, Batavia’s Dylan Young placed 10th in the 1600 meter run, finishing in 4:40.33. Goshen’s Andrew Arnold placed sixth in the district with a throw of 130 feet, 11 inches.

The New Richmond 4×200 relay team, which consisted of Jessup Durbin, Corey Bozic, Grant Anderson and Herwins Horgan placed sixth overall. Burns placed eighth in the 1600 meter run, with Bozic placing 9th in the 400 meter dash. Ryan Wolf placed eighth in the 800 meter run, finishing in 1:59.65.

Aubree Story placed ninth in the girls’ 200 meter dash, finishing in 27.41 seconds and just missing the cut for the final heat.

Bethel-Tate’s Jackson Coates placed ninth in the 1600 meter run, finishing in 4:38.96. Coates also placed seventh in the 800 meter run. Reagan Leonard just missed qualifiying for he state in the high jump, finishing by clearing 4 feet, 10 inches. The event winner cleared 5 feet, 4 inches.

In Division III, Felicity’s Nathan Stumpf missed qualifying for the 110 meter hurdle event by roughly .8 seconds.

Williamsburg’s K.C. Jones placed eighth in the 800 meter run, finshing in 2:00.44. Aubrey Siekbert placed fifth in the discus with a toss of 112 feet, 8 inches. The fourth-place finisher’s throw travelled 116 feet, 16 inches.

Milford’s Armstrong will compete in the 200 meter dash on Friday, June 2 at 6:55 p.m. at Jesse Owens Stadium in Columbus. Amelia’s Walker turns her attention to the 1600 meter run, which is scheduled for 5:15 p.m.

New Richmond’s Jenna Burns is scheduled to compete in the 3200 meter run on Saturday, June 3 at 2:45 p.m. Williamsburg’s Wyatt Leker’s pole vault event is scheduled for 4 p.m. on June 2.

The seated shot put contest is June 2 at 2 p.m. The seated 100 meter dash for the girls’ is scheduled to begin at 4:40 p.m. on June 3, while the 400 meter dash is slated to start at 2:05 p.m. that same day.