Regional Track Preview: Rittman's 4x800 relay eyes Div. III title

Despite being one of the youngest teams in the field this week this week at the Norwayne Division III Regional, Rittman's 4x800-meter relay team has emerged as one of the fastest groups in the state.

On the heels of their school-record time of 9:33.98 to win the district championship a week ago, the group of sophomore Brooke Bowlby, along with freshmen Adyson Fosen, Ryver Ramsier and Annabelle Snyder not only have the fastest mark coming into Wednesday's regional final but have the best time of any 4x8 relay in all of D-III.

The mark is nearly five full seconds faster than Minster, according to rankings on oh.milesplit.com, and is the quickest time recorded of any Wayne County girls team in the event. It's fourth on The Daily Record's all-time list, behind West Holmes, who has broken the 9:30 on three separate occasions since 2001, including an area-best 9:24.83 in 2014.

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And despite being a group consisting of all underclassmen, the team has a lot of experience.

Fosen, Ramsier and Snyder ran on a 4x8 that won the Ohio Middle School State Championship last spring, with teammate Selah Amos, while the current group that won last week's district also was sixth at the combined D-II/III OATCCC State Indoor Championships this past March.

Bowlby also ran on Rittman's 4x8 team that was ninth at last year's state meet.

“We've had highs and lows, but this year we've really worked on pushing each other so we can all get better instead of competing against each other,” said Snyder, who added that the group has been running together since seventh grade. “We're all just working together and running for each other.”

On Wednesday, Rittman leads the pack ahead of Mogadore (9:38.93), who it beat for the district title last week. Maplewood (9:50.14), Smithville (9:56.49) and McDonald (9:59.84) also come in with strong groups competing for one of the four automatic berths to next week's state meet in Dayton.

Here's a look at the regional meets involving area teams:

DIVISION I

Austintown Regional

WHEN: Wednesday, 5 p.m. (field), 6:30 (running); Friday, 5 p.m. (field), 6:30 (running)

WHERE: Greenwood Chevrolet Austintown Falcon Stadium (4560 Falcon Drive, Austintown)

AREA QUALIFIER: Wooster — Grace Kostohryz (sr., shot put).

ATHLETES TO WATCH: Amahrie Harsh (Hoover, sr., 100/200), Savannah Swanda (Twinsburg, sr., 400), Jayla Atkinson (Stow, sr., 800), Daniela Scheffler (Lake, jr., 1,600, 3,200), Jameire Honzu (Warren Harding, sr., 100 hurdles), Mackenzie Blackford (Solon, sr., 300 hurdles), Abra Manofsky (Mass. Jackson, jr., high jump), Maja Tadic (Shaker Hts., fr., long jump), Natalie Bisesi (GlenOak, sr., pole vault), Sloane Sypolt (Louisville, sr., discus), Sarah Bero (Boardman, jr., shot put).

PREVIEW: Kostohryz is back at regionals and the Wooster senior is poised for a state berth after coming up just short a year ago. She finds herself with the sixth-best mark coming into the shot put competition after her season-best mark of 38-feet-9 earlier this season. Kostohryz, who was sixth last year at regionals, can move closer to one of those four state spots up for grabs if she can match her personal-record from a year ago (39-2¾) and possibly going beyond. Only one thrower — Boardman's Sarah Bero — has broken 40 feet this spring, leaving the door open for an exciting race for a trip to Dayton.

AT STAKE: Top four individuals and relay teams in each event automatically advance to next week's OHSAA State Championships, May 30-June 1, at Dayton Welcome Stadium. At-large bids will also up for grabs across the four statewide regionals.

DIVISION II

Austintown Regional

WHEN: Thursday, 5 p.m. (field), 6:30 (running); Saturday, 11 a.m. (field), 12:30 p.m. (running)

WHERE: Greenwood Chevrolet Austintown Falcon Stadium (4560 Falcon Drive, Austintown)

AREA QUALIFIERS: Chippewa — Grace Castello (sr., high jump), Izzy Lattea (sr., pole vault); Orrville — Chloe Albrecht (jr., pole vault), Catrina Race (sr., 100 hurdles, pole vault); Triway — Zoey Baker (so., 4x1, 4x2), Ava Gaffey (jr., 200, long jump, 4x1, 4x2), Addison Hudson (jr., 4x1, 4x2), Cierra Kemary (fr., 100, 4x1, 4x2), Ella Wigal (jr., 3,200); Tuslaw — Macy Baker (jr., 4x8), Ashley Eberhardt (sr., 800, 4x4, 4x8), Georgia Huffman (jr., 4x8), Paige Marthey (so., 300 hurdles, 4x4), Tess O'Donnell (fr., 4x8), Molly Preising (fr., 4x2), Lily Rolko (fr., 4x2), Vanessa Sibila (so., 4x2, 4x4), Hailey Wood (so., 100, 200, 4x2, 4x4).

ATHLETES TO WATCH: Dakota Houston (Beachwood, sr., 100, 200), Leila Metres (Hawken, sr., 400), Reese Reaman (Woodridge, sr., 800, 1,600), Irelyn Johnson (Marlington, fr., 3,200), Ava Littler (Canfield, sr., 100 hurdles), Ariannah Floyd (Firelands, jr., 300 hurdles), Kara Deister (West Geauga, so., high jump), Dakota Houston (Beachwood, sr., long jump), Addy Trefzger (Perry, jr., pole vault), Kaylee Carlisle (Salem, sr., discus), Zuriah Radeff Koonce (Brookside, sr., shot put).

PREVIEW: After clearing a personal-record 9-8 to win the Orrville District, Izzy Lattea is out for more. The Chippewa senior comes into the regional just two inches off leaders in Addy Trefzher of Perry and Catrina Race of Orrville, who Lattea matched last week at the districts, but defeated based on overall misses. Another Orrville vaulter, Chloe Albrecht, is also expected to be among that group. But Lattea, who is making her regional debut after missing a trip by one spot last season, is more focused on another weekend to get better. “I try not to look at the seeds; I just try and do my thing,” she said. “I don't want it to get in my head, so I just do me and jump what I know that I can do. I think the seeds are looking good. I'm just going to train on the new pole and get a feel for it; stay relaxed and stay confident.” After making it to state a year ago in the 4x1, Triway has a pair of sprint relays competing for a chance to get back there. Both the 4x1 and 4x2 teams are within striking distance of one of the four automatic berths, clocking times of 50.89 and 1:48.89, respectively, but it won't be easy with teams from Buchtel and Niles McKinley among leaders in both events.

AT STAKE: Top four individuals and relay teams in each event automatically advance to next week's OHSAA State Championships, May 30-June 1, at Dayton Welcome Stadium. At-large bids will also up for grabs across the four statewide regionals.

New Concord Regional

WHEN: Thursday, 4:30 p.m. (field), 6:00 (running); Saturday, 11 a.m. (field), 12:30 (running)

WHERE: Johnson Family Track, Muskingum University (163 Stormont Street, New Concord)

AREA QUALIFIERS: West Holmes —Katherine Kaster (so., 1,600, 4x4, 4x8), Mallory Marmet (fr., shot put), Casey Ogi (jr., pole vault), Zaylie Shultz (sr., discus), Noelle Smith (jr., 4x4, 4x8), Lexy Starner (jr., 4x4, 4x8), Zora Starner (jr., 800, 4x4, 4x8).

ATHLETES TO WATCH: Emma Henry (St. Clairsville, sr., 100, 200), Jessica Church (John Glenn, jr., 400), Alanna Williams (Martins Ferry, so., 800), Sophia Szolosi (Athens, so., 1,600, 3,200), Leila Hall (South Point, so., 100 hurdles), Averey Cottrill (Fairfield Union, jr., 300 hurdles), Christian Thompson (Fairfield Union, jr., high jump), Sabria Jones (Steubenville, sr., long jump), Brayden Snider (John Glenn, jr., pole vault), Lily Dennis (Sheridan, sr., discus), Ella Hochstetler (Wheelersburg, fr., shot put).

PREVIEW: The West Holmes' 4x8 relay team comes in with the fourth-fastest time, putting them in prime position for the group of Kaster, Smith, L. Starner and Z. Starner, who combined for a 9:55.57 at the OCC Championships earlier this month. The race is expected to be a fast one, with Athens (9:35.16) coming in off of its fastest time of the year. Look for Casey Ogi to also be in the mix for a state-qualifying spot in the pole vault. Ogi, who has cleared 10 feet twice this spring, is in a loaded field as Snider (12-6), Federal Hocking's Annamarie Montle (12-0) and River Valley's Brecka Cadle (11-9) all expected to lead the way.

AT STAKE: Top four individuals and relay teams in each event automatically advance to next week's OHSAA State Championships, May 30-June 1, at Dayton Welcome Stadium. At-large bids will also up for grabs across the four statewide regionals.

DIVISION III

Norwayne Regional

WHEN: Wednesday, 4:30 p.m. (field), 6:00 (running); Friday, 4:30 p.m. (field), 6:00 (running)

WHERE: Norwayne Community Stadium (350 S. Main Street, Creston)

AREA QUALIFIERS: Dalton — Grace Dorffer (so., 4x1), Macy Seeman (sr., 4x1), Mackenna Thiel (sr., pole vault), Courtney Weaver (sr., 4x1), Jara Zoldak (so., 4x1); Hillsdale — Adalyn Tipton (fr., pole vault); Loudonville — Tess Shultz (jr., 1,600, 3,200); Northwestern — Jule Stoller (jr., high jump), Emily Thompson (jr., discus, shot put); Norwayne — Alanna Bauman (so., 4x1), Kendra Berger (jr., 4x2), Haley Bittinger (so., discus, shot put), Sydney Emler (sr., 4x1, 4x2), Kaylee Graham (so., 300 hurdles, 4x2), Kaitlyn Graves (jr., 4x1), Reece Urban (so., long jump, 4x1, 4x2), Maddy Kate Wolf (so., high jump); Rittman — Selah Amos (fr., 4x4), Brooke Bowlby (so., high jump, 4x4, 4x8), Adyson Fosen (fr., 3,200, 4x8), Ryver Ramsier (fr., 4x4, 4x8), Annabelle Snyder (fr., 800, 1,600, 4x4, 4x8); Smithville — Cadence Amstutz (sr., 4x8), Kaitlyn Carr (so., 1,600, 3,200, 4x8) Maryn Erdman (fr., 800, 4x2, 4x4, 4x8), Claire Haas (jr., 400, 4x2, 4x4), Faith Lengacher (fr., 4x2), Maddy Lengacher (sr., 200, 400, 4x2, 4x4), Jenna Necko (jr., 4x8), Hayden Steiner (fr., 4x4); Waynedale —Nayeli Cruz (jr., 100, 4x1, 4x2), Skye Morris (sr., 100 hurdles, 300 hurdles, 4x1, 4x2), Anna Pittman (so., pole vault, 4x1, 4x2), Callie Wolfe (so., long jump, 4x1, 4x2).

ATHLETES TO WATCH: Iniya Charlton (Trinity, jr., 100, 200), Olivia Hudson (Oberlin, so., 400), Gianna Ritchie (Lake Center Christian, so., 800), Kaitlyn Carr (Smithville, so., 1,600), Caleigh Richards (Maplewood, sr., 3,200), Olivia Todd (Black River, sr., 100 hurdles), Ava Vecchione (N. Mid. Springfield, sr., 300 hurdles), Jule Stoller (Northwestern, jr., high jump), Regan Bioarski (Grand Valley, jr., long jump), Anna Pittman (Waynedale, jr., pole vault), Abby Cannon (Oberlin, sr., discus), Grace Bundy (McDonald, sr., shot put).

PREVIEW: Both Smithville's Maddy Lengacher and Kaitlyn Carr improved upon their respective school-record times in capturing titles at last week's Norwayne District and will look for a repeat performance in their return trip to Creston. Lengacher bettered her program mark in the 400 (57.41), while Carr bettered her times in both the 1,600 (4:57.04) and 3,200 (11:02.92). “I was just really hoping that I would be able to push myself (at the district) because I know that now is crucial,” Lengacher said. “Now is the time when you really got to start fighting for your spot.” Lengacher will have her hands full with Oberlin's Olivia Hudson as both are running in the low 57-second range, while an exciting final is expected in the 3,200 between Carr and Caleigh Richards of Maplewood. A pair of local field-event athletes come in with the top marks — Northwestern's Jule Stoller (high jump) and Waynedale's Anna Pittman (pole vault) — while an interesting final could emerge in the 300 hurdles as Skye Morris of Waynedale is one of four competitors that have broken 47 seconds this season. Speaking of the Golden Bears, the 4x1 team comes in with the second-fastest time behind Trinity, while the 4x2 is third. Smithville also is ranked high in the 4x4 relay, with the second-best mark, while throwers Haley Bittinger and Emily Thompson (Northwestern) are poised for their first state berths as they are among leaders in both the shot and discus.

AT STAKE: Top four individuals and relay teams in each event automatically advance to next week's OHSAA State Championships, May 30-June 1, at Dayton Welcome Stadium. At-large bids will also up for grabs across the four statewide regionals.

Heath Regional

WHEN: Wednesday, 4 p.m. (field), 5:30 (running); Friday, 4 p.m. (field), 5:30 (running)

WHERE: Bulldog Stadium at Swank Field (300 Licking View Drive, Heath)

AREA QUALIFIER: Hiland — Myla Troyer (so., high jump).

ATHLETES TO WATCH: Payton Johnson (Peebles, sr., 100), Madison McDaniel (Dawson-Bryant, sr., 200), Kylie Montgomery (Dawson-Bryant, sr., 400), Laura Hamm (Dawson-Bryant, sr., 800), Rachael Hoover (Fairbanks, sr., 1,600), Reese Landis (New London, sr., 3,200), Gracelyn Lamoreaux (South Central, sr., 100 hurdles), Jameson Pillifant (Col. School for Girls, sr., 300 hurdles), Lexi Tucci (Sandy Valley, sr., high jump), Angela Williams (South Central, sr., long jump), Annamarie Montle (Federal Hocking, so., pole vault), Gwyn Lori (Caldwell, jr., discus, shot put).

PREVIEW: Hiland's Myla Troyer makes her regional debut and is one of 12 competitors who have cleared 5 feet this season in the high jump — a personal-record mark that she matched for the second straight week to be runner-up at the St. Clairsville District. While a personal-record effort would be needed to grab one of those elusive state-qualifying spots. Along with Sandy Valley's Lexi Tucci, who has cleared a regional-best 5-4½, both Elise Barber (Col. School for Girls) and Remi Moon (Lee. Fairfield) are expected to be in the mix for the regional title.

AT STAKE: Top four individuals and relay teams in each event automatically advance to next week's OHSAA State Championships, May 30-June 1, at Dayton Welcome Stadium. At-large bids will also up for grabs across the four statewide regionals.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Girls Track and Field: Wayne/Holmes regional meet preview