D-II regional: B-C’s Boles, Matthews are headed to state meet

LEXINGTON - Bloom-Carroll senior Jacob Boles has only been running track for two years, but he proved to be a quick study in the hurdles.

On Saturday, at the Division II regional meet at Lexington High School, Boles not only ran a personal record in the 300 hurdles, but he finished third and qualified for the state meet, which will be held Friday and Saturday at Ohio State’s Jesse Owens Stadium.

Boles, a senior, said being relatively new to the sport, took some time getting used to, but said the process of improving each day was more than worth it.

“It was definitely a grind and it was a long process, especially doing both the 100 and 300 hurdles and learning the steps,” said Boles, who won the Mid-State League-Buckeye Division title and was second in the district meet. “Every time I went out there, I wanted to do better and better and I finally was able to show what I can do.

“I just wanted to make sure I didn’t fall and don’t stutter-step because that has been a problem for me, but I just wanted to go out and give it my all and see how things would work out. It’s a great feeling to be going to the state.”

Bloom-Carroll freshman Abby Matthews also qualified for the state meet in the 1,600. Thanks to a big-time kick at the end, she placed third (5:20.09), shaving 10 seconds off her fastest time of the season.

“It was hard but I knew I still had a chance and I just tried to push as hard as I could,” Matthews said. “The best thing to do is to stay positive, and for me, it was an honor to make it here, even as a freshman.”

The Bulldogs’ Micah Thieret capped off a tremendous season with a spot on the podium as he finished eighth in the 400 (51.66), which was a personal record. This was the first season he ran track, but he won the MSL-Buckeye Division title, as well a first-place finish at the district meet.

“It is my senior year so I decided to come out, mainly because I love to compete,” Thieret said. “Having success makes you work even hard and want it more. To be where I am, it was an exciting thing to get here.”

Bloom-Carroll’s Alexis Galbraith made the podium in the 800 with a fifth-place finish (2:25.21) and Maddie Nye was eighth in the high jump (4-10). Ali Thompson placed 10th in the long jump (15-06.25) and Cassidy Smith was 14th in the discus (88-09).

Amanda-Clearcreek’s Noah Smith placed eighth in the discus (150-05) and reached the podium, and the Aces’ Sarah Smith was 10th in the pole vault (9-0). Liberty Union’s Kelton French was 10th in the 3,200 (10:14.65).

In the Division II regional at Muskingum University, Fairfield Union had three qualify for the state meet.

Will Ogg finished second in the high jump (6-1), while Makenzie Davis was fourth in the 1,600 (5:15.70) and Heather Lecrone placed fourth in the 3,200 (11:38.75).

Madison Eyman reached the podium with a sixth-place finish in the 1,600 (5:27.03), and the 4x800 relay team, consisting of Dorothy King, Morgan Ruff, Lecrone and Davis, just missed qualifying for the state with a fifth-place finish (9:48.60).

Makenzie Lanning placed sixth in the 400 (1:00.03) and King was 10th in the 800 (2:27.20).

twilson@lancastereaglegazette.com

740-681-4358

Twitter: @twil2323