Akron City Series athletes show they belong at Austintown track and field regional

AUSTINTOWN — If anyone believes Akron City Series schools can't compete at the Division I level in track, Friday's results at the Austintown regional meet beg to differ.

"I think it's amazing because a lot of teams in our district and our region, they sleep on us," said Firestone's Jaymion Jones. "They think we don't work as hard as them. I guarantee we pour our blood, sweat and tears into training just how they do."

Jones was part of a huge day for Greater Akron schools in the field events, in which area athletes advanced to state in every event save the long jump.

The boys high jump was the highlight, as Jones, Garfield's Markeise Smith and Twinsburg's Derrick Pou swept the top three places.

Pou and Jones finished second and third, respectively, as both cleared 6 feet, 6 inches, but Pou needed fewer jumps.

"I think it was just my form," Jones said. "I've got another year to work on my form and go for 6-9 or 6-10."

"Going into the final that final 6-5 jump, I knew it was all on me," Pou said. "I wanted to make sure that I got the best place I could. We've got a 6-9 jumper over there so, really, we're all competing for second."

That 6-9 jumper was Smith, who put on a show by almost clearing 6-10. The defending state runner-up matched his personal record with a jump of 6-9.

"I felt great about my form, but it's a lot of work to do now on that form," Smith said. "Being hunted is great, but now it's time to put more work in because at state it's a dog-eat-dog world out there now."

Akron coaches had another reason to celebrate, as Ellet's Fabian Mathis placed third in the shot put. His throw of 54-11¼ earned Mathis a state berth in his first year as a thrower.

"The competition was really great this season," Mathis said. "Everybody looked phenomenal today. I want to thank everyone who supported me, especially my family, for supporting me to get to states."

"Phenomenal" was a good description of Copley's Trevin Jordan in the shot put. He won with a throw of 60-9½ after also qualifying in the discus Wednesday.

"I ended up going to discus as a wild card. I've been working hard at shot this past week," Jordan said. "I feel like it all came together today, but I feel like I have a lot more for state."

While Jordan was favored to win the shot put, Stow's Cammie Densevich pulled a bit of a shock in the discus. Densevich shattered her personal record with a a throw of 127 feet, placing second and earning her first state berth.

"This was big. I didn't think I was going pop out that one," she said. "I was hoping for a 120 maybe, so that was great. I'm really just happy that I made it there. Placing would be awesome."

Two local girls reached state in the pole vault. Nordonia's Sarah Marchant was third with a personal-best vault of 11-4, and Green's Ella Sifferlin cleared 11 feet for fourth.

Savannah Swanda spearheads runner-up regional title for Twinsburg girls track

Once the starter's gun went off, the Savannah Swanda Show was back on.

Although Swanda didn't duplicate her sprint triple win at districts, she qualified for state in four events, highlighted by Twinsburg's dramatic finish in the 1,600 relay.

Swanda was second in the 100 meters (12.16 seconds) and 400 (55.79) before gutting out third place in the 200 (25.28). She then anchored the Tigers' 1,600 relay, which proved crucial in the team race.

Swanda could barely walk after the meet, but she couldn't stop smiling.

"I'm not going to lie — after the 400 I felt like was going to drop," she said. "I have to be there for my team. I've worked too hard to let myself go."

In the 1,600 relay, Swanda was nipped at the line by Shaker Heights for first. The Tigers' runner-up finish in 3:52.31 provided just enough points to give Twinsburg second in the girls team race.

Twinsburg finished with 48.5 points, just ahead of GlenOak and Shaker with 47 points each. Solon won the girls title with 62 points.

"We have a pretty good history here," said Twinsburg coach Sarah Kmet. "We run a solid schedule all year. They get exposed to good [competition] and they bring their 'A' game."

Kmet said she was in awe of Swanda's efforts.

"She had a hell of a day. She left it all out there," Kmet said, adding Swanda will likely run the same races at state.

"I'm qualified in all four events," Swanda said. "I'm going to go down there and do the very best I can."

Swanda will be joined in Dayton by teammates Lia Stewart, who was third in the 300 hurdles (44.79), and Sanayah Ruffin, who was fifth in the 400 (56.72) and earned an at-large bid.

However, Twinsburg's lone individual champion was from the boys team, as sophomore Sam Hopp won the 800 in a personal-best 1:51.72 to stun the field.

"I knew I had to get out quick," Hopp said. "When I got out quick, I knew I had to position myself as best I could on the turns and hold my form. I thought it was possible. I thought I could pull this out."

"Sam Hopp is the future," Kmet said.

Speaking of champs in the 800, Stow's Jayla Atkinson cruised to her second straight regional title. The defending state champion won in 2:11.91.

Two Hudson runners advanced in the girls 1,600. Katie Will was runner-up in a personal-best 5:08.12 and Ruby Jacops was fourth in 5:07.95.

"The plan was to stick with her [Lake's Daniela Scheffler] the whole time," Will said. "I felt her kick in the last lap. I stayed with her, but I felt that lactic acid in the last 100 meters. I'm hoping to break 5 minutes at state this year."

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Greater Akron enjoys huge day at OHSAA regional track at Austintown