That added up to yet another outstanding collective effort from the area’s best.
“Honestly, it’s a great accomplishment,” said Johnson, who snapped Trotwood-Madison grad Zach Logan’s stadium record with a sizzling 46.61 to successfully defend his D-II 400 title. “I worked my hardest ever since my sophomore year. For me to be this good and fast is a true blessing.”
Johnson also won the 200 (21.55). He missed a rare sprint triple by placing runner-up in the 100 (10.78). He scored all of Stivers’ fifth-place points (28) and ensured his place among the area’s all-time greatest sprinters.
Middleton did her best to earn a spot among that elite. Like last season, she won the D-III long jump on Friday in a meet record 18-11.25. On Saturday she defended her 100 title (12.26) and sank to the track after also repeating as the 200 champ (25.20).
“I almost cried at the end because I was so overwhelmed,” said Middleton, who’ll run at Pitt. “I probably will when I see my mom. It was a great way to end the season. It just feels great and I’m really happy.”
Nichols was an unlikely double winner in the D-II 1,600 (4:55.30) and 3,200 (10:55.99). In both races she stayed with the pack, then unloaded a high-end kick down the final stretch to pull away.
That fueled Alter’s best showing as a team in program history, tying for second with Steubenville with 25 points but far behind winner Liberty-Benton (52).
“I was super nervous all day,” Nichols said. “I’m usually pretty good at handling my nerves, but I thought I was going to freak out.”
It was fitting that Nichols performed so well at the site. She’s signed to run cross country and track at Ohio State.
• Northmont senior vaulter Christian Champion nearly lived up to his name. Among several high-end vaulters who had cleared 16 feet, he launched a personal best 16-4 and was one miss away from winning the D-I event. But 2014 D-I winner Lucas Kelley of Massillon Perry also cleared 16-4 on his final attempt, then sailed over 16-8 for the win.
“This means a lot to me,” said Champion, who was seventh as a sophomore but failed to make state last season. “I really changed my mindset and considered myself the best. Making it here and PR’ing at state has been really good for me.”
College coaches swarmed him long after the event. He said his top three choices for now are Akron, Kent State and Louisville.
• Centerville’s girls couldn’t get much going Saturday other than Isis Trotman’s second in the D-I discus (141-1). Also among the favorites in the shot put, she fouled on all three of her puts. The Elks also were blanked in the 1,600 when another favorite, Lainey Studebaker, fourth last season, faded to 13th. The Elks placed sixth (22) as a team, far behind winner Withrow (64).
On Friday the 4x800 relay of Taylor Malchow, Victoria Angelopoulous, Laura Drew and Studebaker was second (9:03.91).
• Centerville’s boys also were in a three-way tie for fifth (22). Senior Caleb Anthony was fourth in the highs (14.44) after going 14.06 on Friday. He added a fifth in the 300 hurdles (38.19). Teammate Ilyaas Motley was fourth in the long jump (22-7.50) and seventh in the 300 hurdles. The Elks also were fifth in the 4x100 relay.
• Dunbar’s recent streak as the state’s D-II boys best came to a skidding halt. The Wolverines placed in just two events on Saturday and tallied six points. Dunbar won the previous two D-II state team titles and three of four.
“We have a young and inexperienced team,” veteran coach Sidney Booker said. “You have to be able to take the bitter with the sweet with a grain of salt.”
• The Minster girls were second (35) to St. Thomas Aquinas, which swept the boys and girls D-III team titles. It was the second straight year Minster was second and sixth time to be a state runner-up. The Wildcats have 12 state team titles.
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