Centerville boys two points shy of state track title

Posted by Eliza Torr | Posted in Education Sport Minute | Posted on 03-07-2011

COLUMBUS — Michael Bennett could have graduated early to kick start his promising football career at Ohio State.

“This is the reason I stayed,” said Bennett after super-charging Centerville’s Division I boys team runner-up effort at Saturday’s state track and field meet.

Bennett was clutch, winning the shot put on his final throw (63 feet, 11 inches) and placing second in the discus (185-4). Michael Melchor added a third in the 110 high hurdles (14.51), and Centerville’s 800-meter relay placed third from lane seven.

Benny McGowan added a seventh in the shot but couldn’t score in the discus. That left just Jon Overstreet in the 300 hurdles, and he added two valuable points by placing seventh when Lebanon’s Luke Norris fell and was disqualified after leading throughout.

All that was good for an Elks’ 32-19 lead over Cincinnati LaSalle. The only problem was Centerville was out of events, yet still led 34-33 going into the final 1,600 relay. The Lancers needed a seventh or better in that race to pass the Elks. They placed sixth, picked up three points and won, 36-34.

“It’s disappointing because we were up 13 points halfway through the meet, and we just didn’t have anything else to do,” Elks coach Matt Somerlot said. “You feel so helpless.”

DIVISION II: Antonio Blanks wasn’t certain that he could run heading into the state meet. No matter.

“It still hurts, but I’ve got to run for my boys,” said Blanks, Dunbar’s super sprinter who was derailed with a midseason hamstring pull.

Blanks came off the shelf to help set a state record in the 1,600 relay and ran on two others that placed second as the Wolverines were runner-up to Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary for the boys team title, 51-44.

Chaminade Julienne sprinter Bryan Cain dove over the finish to win the 300 hurdles (37.70) and also was third in the high hurdles (14.35). Versailles senior Damian Winner won the 400 (48.04), and Tippecanoe’s Sam Wharton was second in the 3,200 (9:31.22).

Finally, the Dunbar 1,600 relay of James Woody, Eric Blair, Ohiembor and Blanks set a D-II state meet record (3:16.09).

DIVISION III: Anna needed a big effort from sprinter Dexter Bensman to compete for the team title and the senior delivered.

Bensman anchored both the 400 (43.19) and 800 (1:29.48) relays to firsts, was second in the 100 (11.14) and seventh in the 200. That propelled the Rockets to second behind McDonald in the boys team race, 44-34.

Anna paced a great effort from area D-III boys, which featured five wins. Russia’s Luke Pohlman won the 1,600 (4:16.85), Dillon Webster of New Bremen topped the 800 field (1:52.07) and Minster captured the 1,600 relay (3:22.11).

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