Track & field: Columbus Grove boys, Kalida girls win Putnam County League team titles
May 8—OTTOVILLE — Coming into Friday's Putnam County League Meet, the Columbus Grove boys track-and-field team had reeled off nine consecutive league titles.
Now, make it 10 consecutive PCL titles for Columbus Grove.
Columbus Grove ran away with the PCL boys title Friday night at Ottoville's Bob Kaple Track, as it outscored second-place Ottoville 218 — 82. Kalida was third (72), while Continental (63) and Pandora-Gilboa (62) rounded out the top five teams. Leipsic finished sixth (48.5) and Fort Jennings was seventh (27.5).
On the girls side, Kalida knocked off Columbus Grove for the team title, 155 — 135. Leipsic (95.33), Ottoville (57.33) and Pandora-Gilboa (47) rounded out the top five squads. Continental (43.33) and Fort Jennings (37) finished sixth and seventh, respectively.
Longtime Columbus Grove boys head coach Chris Grothaus was pleased at the way his team performed Friday. However, he was quick to point out that his team cannot be completely satisfied, as the postseason tournament grows nearer.
"We're still experimenting a little bit," Grothaus said. "With having the depth that we have; we're battling for positions right now. We have some guys who are locked into those relays. But we also have some guys who are still competing for those (open) spots. It keeps everybody on the edge, a little bit.
"It's a good thing, though. It's all about good competition. So, we're taking it week by week. We have to get better. I'm glad that our guys are competing. They know they have to get better."
One of those athletes that helped propel the Bulldogs to another PCL team title Friday was senior Gabe Clement.
In some very windy conditions, Clement cleared 13 feet to win the pole vault. He also ran on the 400-meter relay and the 1,600 relay Friday night. Clement's all-time personal best in the pole vault is 13-8.
"I was going to run the open 800, but I had to scratch it, so I could focus on the pole vault," Clement said.
Clement, who is committed to compete in track at the University of Findlay, said he is willing to do about any event.
"Basically, I'll do about anything the coaches ask me to do," he said. "All our relays are really good. So, I'll do about anything they tell me to do."
On the girls side, Columbus Grove senior Kennedy Flores won both the shot put (40 feet, 5 inches) and discus (114 feet, 6 inches).
This fall, Flores is heading to Ashland University to compete in track.
"Getting over 40 (feet in the shot put) has been my goal since my freshman year," Flores said. "I'm just trying to get ready for the next couple weeks. I'm definitely peaking where I want to, but I plan on improving a lot more."
Kalida head coach Scott Miller was elated on how his girls team performed on Friday.
"I don't know what to say," Miller said. "I'm pretty excited. To have every single girl step up and get those points and pull it off — it feels really good."
Reach The Lima News sports department at 567-242-0451.
