Shawnee’s Noah Williams and Ottawa-Glandorf’s Ty Rosengarten compete in the 1,600 during Friday night’s Western Buckeye League Championships in Wapakoneta.
Richard Parrish | The Lima News
WAPAKONETA — The Ottawa-Glandorf girls track and field team made a statement at this week’s Western Buckeye League Championships at Wapakoneta’s Harmon Field.
It all started Wednesday, the first day of the two-day meet, when the Ottawa-Glandorf girls 3,200-meter relay broke a 40-year-old WBL record, winning in 9 minutes, 30.10 seconds. The O-G 3,200 relay was comprised of Corinne Closson, Madelyn Hovest, Rose Turnwald and Olivia Fenbert.
Then, in Friday’s final event of the two-day meet, the 1,600-meter relay, the O-G girls won in a meet-record time of 3:59.35 to put the stamp on the WBL team title. Averie Fox, Corinne Closson, Olivia Fenbert and Alexa Fortman made up O-G’s 1,600 relay.
The O-G girls team scored 127 points in the two-day meet. Celina finished second (89). St. Marys (67), Van Wert (55) and Kenton (47) rounded out the top five squads in the 10-team field.
On the boys side, Shawnee held off O-G for the team title, 92-81. Bath (62), Celina (54) and Wapakoneta (53) rounded out the top five teams.
O-G senior Alexa Fortman was one of the main cogs for the O-G girls. Fortman won the 400 (56.72 seconds), 800 (2:13.02) and was the anchor for the winning 1,600 relay. She also anchored the 800 relay that placed second (1:45.76).
O-G scored big in Friday’s 800 as Fortman’s teammate Corinne Closson finished second to Fortman. Closson crossed the finish line in 2:17.44.
“I was definitely trying to push it,” Fortman said after winning the 800. “It was really great to see Corinne Closson run there with me and get a huge PR for the season. I’m really excited.”
Fortman said it was a total team effort.
“It’s awesome to see everyone step up. Coming in, we knew we had a good chance (to win the team title), if we all did our part. … I think we did that. Everyone gave everything they had,” Fortman said.
Last season, Fortman won the 400 and 800 at the Division II state track meet. Her winning time in the 800 (2:08.60) was a Division II state meet record and a Division II state record.
On the boys side Wednesday night, Ottawa-Glandorf won the 3,200 relay in 8:09.11. The O-G 3,200 relay was comprised of Ethan Metzger, Masen Vogt, Isaac Macke and Ty Rosengarten.
In Friday’s 3,200, Rosengarten held off Van Wert’s Owen Scott for the win. Rosengarten’s winning time was 9:45.97. Scott crossed the finish line in 9:48.99.
Miller dominates throws
Kenton senior Tatum Miller won the girls discus Wednesday with a mark of 132 feet, 6 inches. Celina’s Amelia Lutz finished second (127-1), while O-G’s Emma Hoffman was third (123-5).
Then on Friday, Miller came back and won the shot put with a mark of 39-9.5. Lutz was a close second (39-2.5), while Hoffman was third (34-10).
At last year’s Division II state meet, Miller placed fifth in the discus and sixth in the shot put.
Miller felt like this week’s competition brought the best out of her.
“I personally do better when there’s competition. It makes me do better. I imagine it makes them do better as well,” Miller said.
Dameron wins 2 events
Celina senior Kaylie Dameron won the 1,600 (5:17.39) and 3,200 (11:40.62) Friday night.
Shawnee’s Williams wins the 1,600 and 800
Shawnee junior Noah Williams led for a good part of the boys 1,600 Friday night. However, later in the race, Williams fell off pace just a little bit.
Then in the final 200 meters, Williams shifted to a higher gear and outkicked O-G’s Ty Rosengarten down the stretch to notch the hard-fought victory.
Williams’ winning time was 4:27.39, while Rosengarten crossed the finish line in 4:27.86. Shawnee’s Carter Cleaves came in third (4:30.55).
Despite being a state-qualifier in cross country last fall, Williams does not compete in the 1,600 on a normal basis.
“I was just basing it off cross country,” Williams said. “I knew Ty Rosengarten was a pretty good competitor. I knew he was going to be right behind me. I focused on staying in front and just tried to run my best.”
Williams came back later and won the 800 (1:59.71). He wrapped up Friday by competing on the winning 1,600 relay (3:27.32).
On Wednesday, Williams was part of the 3,200 relay that placed fourth.
Courter jumps past competition
During the winter sports season, Wapakoneta basketball standout Jackson Courter displays his leaping ability on the basketball court.
In the spring, Courter gets it done during the track and field season. Friday, Courter won the high jump with a height of 6-2. Last year, her placed second in the high jump at the WBL Championships.
Courter said he has not reached his goal yet.
“I’m trying to get 6-5, because that would get me to state,” Courter said.
Reach The Lima News sports department at 567-242-0451.
