The Maplewood track and field team had its share of ups and downs Friday. First of all, St. Thomas Aquinas edged Maplewood in the final 10 meters to take what was supposed to be the Rockets’ return to glory. Both teams rannear 7:50. Good run for Maplewood nonetheless. It’s too bad Maplewood didn’t slice into St. [...]

Good meal, good hotel. Glad to see Columbus once again. The night before the state track and field meet always brings great anticipation. For the athletes, it’s carbo loading and getting ready for a once-in-a-lifetime event. I’m axiously preparing for the first event, the Division III boys 3,200-meter relay. Actually, the Division III girls 3,200 [...]

So far, so good for state track this weekend. Weather.com states it’ll be partly cloudy with a high of 86 degrees on Friday and 84 degrees on Saturday. However, there’s a chance of isolated showers that day. Right now, my weather concern is with my family in Mahoning County. There’s a tornado warning lasting for [...]

Really, I love track and field season, but one thing I can do without is wifi troubles. Example. I’m trying to send my story, pictures and results back to the paper from a Wendy’s near Ravenna. Get 38 percent, then 48 percent. Finally, I get a connection, but it was a fleeting one. Never got [...]

Here are some links to some pictures I’ve taken. I’ll update this blog entry with new photos as they become available. D3 Navarre Regional Day 1 D3 Independence District Day 3 D2 Andover District Day 1 D2 Andover District Day 2 D3 Springfield District Day 1 D3 Independence District Day 1

Besides the plethora of Trumbull County dominance, which by the way is the most I can remember, it was a great day to watch a track and field meet. First, the track events. Maplewood’s boys 4×800 didn’t disappoint as the Rockets powered their way past St. Thomas Aquinas. Rack one up for the public school. By [...]

OK, finally got around to doing the Division II predictions. Sorry, no time for any video clips today. Girls 4×800: Chagrin Falls. The Tigers roar past the rest. Boys 4×800: Bay. Have to go with the lowest time coming into regionals. Crestwood and Elyria Catholic will follow. If Lakeview can cut a couple of seconds [...]

Here we go on the Division III picks. Enjoy the Monty Python links I’ve put in here. Girls 4×800: Berkshire. Noelle Jurcak was quite impressive in the 800 at Independence, just what you need in an anchor leg of this race. Maybe McDonald sneaks in as the the fourth team with Columbiana and Lowellville. If [...]

OK, some of these predictions might not be the most accurate, but I think they might be close enough. Let’s start with Division I at Austintown Fitch. Division III will follow much later tonight and I might have time for Division II. Girls 4×800: North Canton Hoover. I know Federal League distance runners are damn [...]

Later tonight, I’ll look into my crystal ball … actually it’s more like one of my children’s bouncy balls … and give my predictions for this track and field regionals. It comes down to who stays and who goes to Columbus for the holy grail of high school track and field — the state meet. [...]