Division III track: Regional qualifiers still learning the sport, but having success
May 20—"Because is sounded like something fun to do," isn't usually a spur-of-the-moment plan that results in instant success, but in the case of Andrews Osborne's Tai Roberts and Fairport's Michael Hess, that's how things have worked out.
Roberts, a senior, is running track for the first time in her life, and it has resulted in a Division III district championship in the 400 meters.
Hess, a sophomore, has only been running the 300 hurdles for a few weeks, and now he's headed to next week's regional meet in not only that event, but also the high jump.
Roberts and Hess are just two of the success stories to come out of Day 2 of the Cuyahoga Heights district meet on May 20. But their stories stand out somewhat because last year at this time — heck, maybe even last week at this time — neither would have expected to have the vast success they're having in events in which they're still learning day by day.
"This is only the fourth time I've run this race," Hess said after running a PR time of 43.34 to place third in the 300 hurdles. "I think I can do better next week. I definitely need to work on my form."
Roberts, too, said she has some work to do after winning a district championship in the 400 with a time of 1:01.16. Like Hess, she's still learning the event and sport.
"I'm just trying to push my limitations and see what I can do — and it got me to regionals," said Roberts, a first-team All-Ohio basketball player, reiterating that the only reason she came out for track is because people at school were telling her she was fast. "I wanted to go under a minute. I saw (the clock) when I was coming in and tried to get it. Maybe next time."
Hess, too, saw the potential prize of a district title and led handily at the turn, but he ran out of gas and was caught by two other runners.
A learning experience, he said.
"I've been doing the 400 most of the year, but I figured hurdles might be fun, so I tried it," he said.
He is going to the regional meet in the 300s and high jump, while teammate Zane Malkamaki is going in the 110 hurdles and pole vault. Malkamaki took the 110 title on May 20 with a PR time of 16.15
That's impressive since Fairport doesn't have a regulation track on which to run.
"We set up hurdles in the gym or parking lot, and we go to the beach and do sand training," Hess said. "For us to get to regionals is pretty cool."
Another family to use the "pretty cool" term is the Avalon family from Cardinal. Senior John Avalon qualified in both the discus (132-0 on Wednesday) and shot put (PR of 50-2 1/4). Junior sister Aubrey placed second in the girls discus (110-1).
"I didn't get a PR, so I know I can do better next week," Aubrey Avalon said. "I'm pumped up. My brother and I get to compete again next week. That's good."
Cardinal's Mike Soltis is also headed to regionals after winning the D-III shot put title with a 52-2 1/2.
"It feels good because it's better than what I've done lately," he said. "It's three inches off my PR. Maybe — hopefully — I get that next week."
Speaking of PRs, Cornerstone's BK Kwasniak blew his out of the proverbial water with a 1:59.18 in the 800. It's the first time in his career that he has cracked the two-minute mark, which was his goal at season's start.
Now it's time, he said, to recalibrate is goals.
"As I went into that last lap, I was thinking about everyone who has supported me and believed in me and how I owed it to them to leave it all on the track for them," he said. "My goal was to break two minutes. To do it today was awesome. It's something I've wanted ever since I didn't make it out of regionals last year."
Many area athletes clinched spots in next week's regional meet with top-four finishes. Also winning district titles were Cardinal's Lily Ayer with a PR time of 2:26.56 in the girls 800, and Cardinal's 4×400 relay of Carly Ayer, Karalyn Rutkowski, Lauren Soltis and Lily Ayer with a time of 4:15.6.
See complete meet results here.
