The Loveland High School (LHS) Boys Track & Field team placed in four of the five events they competed in during the state meet the weekend of June 6 and 7 in Columbus at the Division 1 Ohio High School Track & Field Championships. This is the best showing at the meet ever for LHS. The following athletes earned a medal:
• Pole Vault – Senior Taylor Florence – 8th place, 14′
• High Jump – Senior Giovanni Ricci – 5th place, 6’6″
• 400 meter dash – Sophomore Zion Wynn – 8th place, 49.09
• 110 meter High Hurdles – Senior Giovanni Ricci – 7th place,14.52
The 4 x 200 meter relay team narrowly missed making the finals finishing with the 10th best time in prelims. The Ohio State track has nine lanes so the top nine make it to finals. Although they missed finals they lowered their school record set the week before in the Dayton Regional meet. The new record of 1:28.50 was set by Seniors Carsen Davenport and Jordan Davis and Sophomores Vaughn Richter and Zion Wynn.
The team also set five other new marks during the season:
1. 4 x 100 meter relay – 42.44 (FAT) – Carsen Davenport, Giovanni Ricci, Jordan Davis, Nate Slagel
2. High Jump – 6′ 7″ – Giovanni Ricci
3. 400 Meter Dash – 48.72 (FAT) – Zion Wynn
4. Pole Vault – 14′ 8″ – Taylor Florence
5. 110 Meter High Hurdles – 14.52 (FAT) – Giovanni Ricci
The team finished fourth in the Southwest Region prior to the state meet.
“It is a great accomplishment to make it to the state meet!” said LHS Boys Track & Field Head Coach Jim Vanatsky. “It is a greater accomplishment to make it on the podium. The success of our student-athletes is a testament to their hard work to maximize their talent, the great coaches we have and the tremendous support of their parents, our trainers, administrators and the Loveland Athletic Boosters!”
