First Posted: 4/4/2015
LIMA — It was the Lima Senior Spartan Invitational.
However, it was the Wapakoneta Redskins who stole the show at the annual track invite.
At Saturday’s Spartan Invitational at Spartan Stadium, Wapakoneta came away with the boys’ title, and finished second on the girls’ side.
For the boys, Wapakoneta pulled away from Toledo Central Catholic in impressive fashion, 130-108.5 to notch the team title.
In the girls’ competition, Notre Dame Academy defeated second-place Wapakoneta 134.5-109.
Lima Senior had a strong showing, finishing fourth in the girls’ standings (91.50) and fifth on the boys’ side (68). There were 12 teams at the Spartan Invite.
The Wapakoneta boys were balanced Saturday, scoring in 16 events.
“We had a good meet,” Wapakoneta boys coach Mark Cook said. “A lot more kids did indoor (track) this year, and that showed today. We’re missing a couple kids. …We’re missing our top sprinter (Alex Lause) and our top vaulter (Sam Hinegardner).
“Right now, we’re working on our relays; and today was a really good day to test that out, because there’s a lot of speed here. We love coming here (to the Spartan Invitational). It’s good competition for us. We’re about right where we want to be.”
Wapakoneta athletes recording first-place performances Saturday included Cameron Lauck (long jump, 19 feet, 11 ½ inches) and Will Hinegardner (high jump, 6-6).
The Wapakoneta girls’ squad was very balanced as well, scoring points in 14 events.
Leading the way for Wapakoneta was distance specialist Allie Zofkie. Zofkie, a sophomore, won both the 1,600 meters (5:25.60) and 3,200 meters (11:44.65).
“I was a little disappointed because I was off just a few seconds off our school record (in the 1,600),” Zofkie said. “I looked at my watch right at the 200 (-meter mark) and I thought I might be able to get it. But, it was pretty close. I was just happy to win.”
Wapakoneta girls coach Mark Law was pleased at the performance of his team.
“We’re pretty young and I think we’re only going to get better,” Law said. “Megan Watt and Jenna Sawmiller are the only two seniors that ran today. Megan won the discus today (107-7).
“But overall, what helped us is that we’re pretty balanced. We have some pretty good field events, and we have some very good distance runners. In sprinting, we might be a little bit lacking in that area, but I thought the key was the way we started out in the field events. Sidney Sutton was second in the pole vault (9-6). Claire Burton was third in the high jump (4-10 ½) and Megan (Watt) won the discus. So, we started off on a good note. Then, Allie Zofkie won the mile and two-mile. Then, she (Zofkie) came back and anchored the 4 x 4 (1,600-meter relay) with a 63 (-second leg); and that was the first time she ran it.”
Lima Senior had some impressive performances Saturday.
Lima Senior’s Bryan Mays Jr. broke the meet record in the 100 meters with a time of 10.59 seconds. However, Stivers’ Tyler Johnson also broke the record with a time of 10.52, edging out Mays for the win.
Mays also anchored the winning 800-meter relay (1:31.59). Joining Mays on the 800 relay were Jaden Walker, Ruben Flowers and Diamonte Fisher. Flowers also finished second in the high jump (6-6).
Despite running a stellar time in the 100 meters, Mays felt like he needed to redeem himself in the 800 relay.
“I just moved on to the next race,” Mays said. “I wasn’t going to let my team down again, and I didn’t. We have very good potential. We have a lot of guys back from last year that can possibly make it to state.”
On the girls side, Lima Senior freshman Suerethea Henderson won both the 100 (13.01) and 200 (26.81).
Lima Senior went one-two in the shot put. Ricquel Williams won with a toss of 36-2, while teammate Amelya Upthegrove was second with a mark of 35-8.
