Perry's Javin Richards, Hawken's Makayla White double, Hawks' boys 4×100 makes history again at Division II Perry District

Chris Lillstrung, The News-Herald, Willoughby, Ohio

May 21, 2022 at 5:03 PM·7 min read

May 21—The torture that can be a humid Day 2 of district competition can be embodied even in the greats that make it look so easy.

Upon completing her popper leg for 4×400-meter relay May 21 at the Division II Perry District, Makayla White leaned forward, both hands on hips, and her expression of sheer exhaustion off an open 200/4×4 back-to-back spoke volumes.

After doing his utmost to reel in a 4×2 win but settling for second in a phenomenal district time, Javin Richards was queasy and, treading lightly, took measures to alleviate the issue.

Then there was the fact White, the affable Hawken standout sprinter, was coming off an ankle injury, and Richards, the Perry senior and reigning News-Herald boys track and field athlete of the year, was dealing with a nagging back ailment.

PHOTOS: Division II Perry District track and field (Day 2), May 21, 2022

They were tired and hurting, but doubled individually and excelled on relays. This time of year, that's what matters.

White was in her usual commanding form, notching a sprints sweep. In 100, she went for a sturdy time of 12.16 seconds, getting briefly tested out of drive phase but having none of it last 50. She later came back for a win in her trademark 200, in which she is aiming for her third career D-II state berth, in 25.35.

"Yeah, it was pretty good," White said of 100. "My drive phase transition was a little rough, so I'm excited for when I have some people with me at the 60-meter mark. I'm sure I'll definitely be pushed at regional. I'm waiting for that sub-12, so I'm excited.

"(The 200) was OK. Coming around the curve, I held my flow phase way too long. I was like, 'I've got to hit it,' and by the time I hit the phase I was dead. I was looking for a little lower in the 25s, maybe sub-25. But I feel it coming. I sprained my ankle a few weeks ago. I'm coming off a boot, so I'm ready to get my racing legs back under me."

Richards nailed down a 14.73 to capture 110 hurdles and commendably responded almost immediately after in 4x2. He tried with all his considerable might on the anchor to reel in Glenville. Although it was not to be, as the perennial power Tarblooders went for a sterling 1:28.12, the Pirates have plenty with which to be elated going into the D-II Austintown-Fitch Regional with a 1:28.38.

He capped his day with a first-class 300 hurdles performance, in which the defending D-II state champion attacked relentlessly for a 38.03 that will serve him well at Fitch.

"I mean, I think that's awesome," Richards said of 3s. "I'm hurting a little bit right now. I've got a lower back injury. I'm still pushing through, PRing and setting records.

"I was throwing up after 4x2. That wasn't too good," he added with a laugh. "Man, I don't know how to compare it to everyone else's (4x2), but we're up there. We are going to be on the podium at state."

#NHtrack Here are my usual NH area video meet highlights, from Day 2 of the D2 Perry District

Had to split into 2 parts for Twitter — this is boys open 4 through to 4x4s pic.twitter.com/41s6gENkEX