Track & field: Perry's Yingst sets two regional records

May 28—TROY — Records are made to be broken.

For Perry senior Brady Yingst, breaking track records has become a habit this spring.

At Friday's Division III regional track-and-field meet at Troy, Yingst broke two regional meet (Region 12) marks.

In the 1,600-meter run, Yingst got out fast, and went on to win the race in 4 minutes, 14.09 seconds. Then later on, Yingst came back to win the 3,200 in a record time of 9:18.74.

The top four placers in each event at regionals, advance to the state meet, which takes place next Friday and Saturday at Jesse Owens Stadium at Ohio State. Along with the top four placers in each event, two additional performers in each event throughout the four regional meets in the state, will also advance to the state meet.

Earlier this season, Yingst broke the Division III state record in the 1,600, clocking a time of 4:09.20 at the Waynesfield-Goshen Tiger Invitational.

Friday night at Troy, Yingst's nearest competitor in the 1,600 was Fort Loramie's Colten Gasson, who crossed the finish line in 4:21.44.

At last year's Division III state meet, Yingst placed second in the 1,600 (4:17.01) and fifth in the 800 (1:57.23).

Friday night, Yingst was never challenged in the 1,600.

"I'm extremely happy. ... I executed exactly how I needed to," Yingst said after his victory in the 1,600. "We got an absolute perfect day, today. ... There was no wind. It was a little cool. It just feels amazing. I wanted to get out quick and get out front, like how I want to be.

"The second lap (800-meter mark) was about a 2:06, 2:07. ... I felt super comfortable. I was able to get away from them in the last two laps, and bring it on home for a win."

Yingst knew he had the 1,600 race under control. He also realized that he needed to be ready to run the 3,200 a little later in the night.

"I had the legs in me to do it today," the Lipscomb University-bound Yingst said. "I wanted to be under 4:20 today — right around the 4:14 mark. I'm really happy with the 4:14. It gives me a lot of momentum going on to state." Yingst's teammate, senior James Shorter, placed fourth in the 110 hurdles (15.66) on Friday to qualify for the state meet. In the 300 hurdles, Shorter finished ninth (43.96).

"I do have some type of experience. ... I went to state in indoor (track, during the winter)," Shorter said. "I was a little nervous, coming into the start of the race (110 hurdles). Coming from a small school, I'm the only hurdler there. So, coming here by myself, I was a little nervous. Today was a good day. I feel like I can do better. But I qualified, so I will take it step by step."

Shorter will compete at the collegiate level next school year, when he attends Ohio Northern University.

In the boys final team standings Friday, Fort Loramie took home the team title, outscoring second-place Minster, 66.5-54. Anna (48) and Coldwater (39) rounded out the top four teams. Marion Local and Lima Central Catholic ended the two-day meet with 34 points.

On the girls side, Minster won with 62 points, while Coldwater came in second (50.50). Marion Local (50) and Anna (46) rounded out the top four squads.

Jefferson's Lindeman stamps ticket to state in hurdles

Delphos Jefferson sophomore Lyv Lindeman fell just a little short last year of qualifying for the Division III state track-and-field meet.

At Friday's Division III regional finals at Troy, Lindeman stamped her ticket to the state meet in two events.

In Friday's first event, the 100-meter hurdles, Lindeman placed second in a time of 15.23 seconds. Later on, Lindeman came back to notch second in the 300 hurdles in 46.41 seconds.

However, Lindeman nearly pulled off a trifecta as she placed fifth in the 100-meter dash — the event that immediately follows the 100 hurdles. Lindeman finished right behind Alex Kessen from Delphos St. John's, who finished fourth (12.66) and qualified for the state meet.

"It was very good competition," Lindeman said. "I'm happy the way I ran. I ran very well. I was very happy, especially with my time."

Lindeman, who is also a standout in basketball and soccer, is looking forward to her first trip to the state meet.

"It's really exciting — not really knowing what to look forward to. But I'm excited for the experience; and I want to see how well I can do down there," Lindeman said.

Temple Christian's Cece Worsham was fourth in the hurdles (15.89) and third in the long jump (17-01.75).

Lincolnview's Hatfield places second in high jump

Lincolnview senior Daegan Hatfield placed second in Friday's high jump, with a height of 6-2.

Last season, Hatfield placed eighth at the Division III state meet.

Hatfield was also part of the 3,200-meter relay team that placed fifth Wednesday night. However, Lincolnview's time in the 3,200 relay was good enough to move on to next weekend's state meet.

Not only did Hatfield have to contend with the good competition Friday, but a thunderstorm forced a delay in the field events, early on.

"Really, it was all about experience. It (rain delay) got into your head a little bit, but it wasn't too bad," Hatfield said. "You have to get your stuff down and do what you have to do."

Hatfield is anxious to see what he can do next weekend at the state meet.

"Last year, I got eighth place (at state). ...I tied for eighth place with Kyle Manns from Ottoville, who graduated last year. So, my goal is to definitely get above eighth place this year," Hatfield said.

LCC's Unruh and Hoyle going to state in three events

Lima Central Catholic senior Evan Unruh is in his first year of track.

And he's definitely making the most of it.

Friday, Unruh stamped his ticket in the 400-meter relay and 800-meter relay. On Wednesday, Unruh placed fourth in the long jump (20-5.5).

"I was across the country at a football camp (last summer)," Unruh said with a smile. "I had no clue that I would be here, heading to Columbus next week."

Unruh will be playing football in college next fall when he attends Olivet Nazarene University.

The LCC 800 relay (Bryce Williams, Unruh, Sal Guagenti, Traves Hoyle) placed fourth (1:31.09). The 400 relay placed third in 43.61.

Hoyle also won the 200 (22.66) and placed second in the 100 (11.27).

LCC's Olivia Stolly placed second in the long jump on Friday with a mark of 17-3.25.

Stolly, a standout on the basketball court, will be making her first appearance at state in track-and-field.

"My coach (head coach Mykale Rogers) tells me to just go as far as I can, have fun and don't worry about it," she said with a smile.

On Wednesday, the Minster girls 3,200-meter relay (Margaret Hemmelgarn, Cameo Cedarleaf, Chaney Cedarleaf, Taylor Roth) notched first place with a time of 9:39.50.

In the boys long jump, Parkway's Caden Slusher won with a mark of 20-7.25.

Reach The Lima News sports department at 567-242-0451.