Rittman's Luke Snyder owns distance events at D3 Norwayne Regional

CRESTON — One thing that Rittman’s Luke Snyder prides himself on his knowing exactly at what point of a race to kick. It’s a plan that he and his coach (and dad) Matt Snyder discuss at length in training sessions leading up to race day.

But on Friday night at the Norwayne Division III Regional, Luke Snyder had a tough time remembering exactly when to go. An Honors Algebra II final exam earlier in the day can do that to anyone.

'It's just been so great': Smithville takes the day at D3 Norwayne Regional

“I can't do math right now; I had my math final earlier today and I'm tapped out,” he said, after winning the event in 9:39.03. “I just tried to execute the plan and hammer the last 1,500 ... 1,000 ... I don't know what it was, I just hammered the last bit of the race like I was supposed to.”

Indeed, he did as Snyder posted an impressive win over McDonald’s Joey Cappuzzello (9:42.21) for his second victory of the night after taking first in the 1,600 earlier in the day.

Snyder’s double-win night, along with senior teammate Evan Rastorfer adding a runner-up finish in the high jump with a leap of 6-2, and Rittman placed third overall in the team standings. Both Snyder and Rastorfer, along with the 4x8 that was runner-up in Wednesday’s opening-day action at the regional, each advance to next week’s state meet at Dayton Welcome Stadium.

For Snyder, who anchored that 4x8 group to state berth earlier in the week, he opened Friday’s action with a 4:21.16 in the 1,600 — more than 6 seconds faster than the entire field.

“I got out fast and wanted to try and stay that fast,” he said of the mile. “It was about the same as last week (at districts), it was just hotter today, but I'll take it.”

Weather aside, it was another strong day for local athletes with a host of individuals and relays securing trips to Dayton this upcoming Thursday.

Waynedale junior Ian Sarver also was a regional champ, taking top honors in the shot put.

And he didn’t waste any time in locking up his second straight state berth as Sarver’s second throw of the night was more than enough for the title as it went 53-feet-2½ inches, holding up for the win against McDonald’s Drew Zajack (53-0½).

“As soon as I saw it, and they marked it, I knew we were good; we were rocking.” Sarver said. “I had a great week of practice leading up to this. It was a little rough last week with a 48 at districts, so I was looking to improve my standings and that's what I did today.”

Hillsdale’s Grayson Allis was fifth with a 48-2, followed by Dalton’s Collin Jones (47-2¼), both of which are eligible for two of the at-large berths up for grabs that will officially be announced this week. The top four in each event automatically qualify for the state meet.

Dalton’s sprinters had another strong day on the track as the 4x200-meter relay team earned a second consecutive state appearance after a runner-up finish in 1:30.47. The group of Sammy Tomlinson, Colin Pearson, Gavin Annen, and Kanoa Hevia placed just 0.22 seconds behind Warren JFK.

“We lived up to our expectations and now we just have to go compete at Dayton,” said Tomlinson, who was a member of last season’s All-Ohio 4x2 with Pearson and Hevia. “We want to compete and get really high on the podium this year and hopefully we will do exactly that.”

It was a day to remember for Tomlinson, who also advanced with a second-place run in the 100 in 11.27.

“I knew I had to get a good block-start to keep up with those guys,” the junior said. “I did what I had to do ... I just had to believe in myself.”

Waynedale has a pair of third-place finishes on the track with Jeremy Reber (110 hurdles) and Jackson Varner (3,200) both making return trips to state.

Reber, who has been battling a nagging hamstring injury the past two weeks, clocked a 15.17 to get an opportunity to repeat his All-Ohio finish from a year ago.

“Honestly, it feels amazing,” he said. “Right now, it's kind of a sigh of relief. I've been fighting through a lot, obviously, and to get that third spot really means a lot.

“Another week to recover, starting to get back to 100 percent, so hopefully I can run even better at state.”

Varner kept himself in the lead pack and was able to pull away with Snyder and Cappuzzello midway through the 3,200 run final and held on to cross the line in 9:42.65.

“It started off slow, nobody wanted to take the lead, but you have to be ready for that and just have to go with them when they go and hold on,” he said. “It was tough because on that second mile everybody started to go, so I just had to go with them.”

Norwayne D-III Regional

Boys

Team standings (out of 41 teams): 1. Lowellville 68, 2. McDonald 55, 3. Rittman 47, 4. Dalton 40, 5. Cuyahoga Hts. 30.5, T-6. Waynedale/Oberlin 30, 8. Mapleton 29, 9. Black River 27, T-10. United/N. Mid. Springfield

Results

(Top four in each event advance to OHSAA State Championships;winner listed along with local competitors)

Shot put: 1. Ian Sarver (W) 53-2½, 5. Grayson Allis (Hills) 48-2, 6. Collin Jones (D) 47-2¼, 8. Gatlin Herman (W) 46-5¼. Discus: 1. Drew Zajack (McD) 165-5, 4. Jones (D) 142-9, 6. Hugo Hawkins (R) 141-7, Cade Herman (W) ND. High jump: 1. Robert Rogers (Grand Valley) 6-3, 2. Evan Rastorfer (R) 6-2. Long jump: 1. Michael Ballone (Low) 22-6, 2. Rastorfer (R) 21-11½, 4. Jace Eberly (D) 21-3. Pole vault: 1. Carson Steiner (D) 14-0, 2. Braden Carr (Lou) 12-8. 4x800: 1. Maplewood 8:12.12, 2. Rittman (Logan Chaplin, Caleb Bolender, Bryen Valerio, Luke Snyder) 8:15.61, 3. Waynedale (Nick St. John, Jackson Varner, Jayden Varner, Conner Reich) 8:16.57. 110 hurdles: 1. Michael Ballone (Low) 14.41, 3. Jeremy Reber (W) 15.17. 100: 1. Evan Hudson (O) 11.07, 2. Sammy Tomlinson (D) 11.27. 4x200: 1. Warren JFK 1:30.25, Dalton (Tomlinson, Colin Pearson, Gavin Annen, Kanoa Hevia) 1:30.47. 1,600: 1. Snyder (R) 4:21.16. 4x100: 1. United 43.32, 8. Dalton (Pearson, Annen, Caden Gazboda, Tomlinson), 43.97. 400: 1. Hudson (O) 47.70. 300 hurdles: 1. Ballone (Low) 38.27. 800: 1. Luke Buxton (EC) 1:55.78, 9. Reich (W) 1:59. 200: 1. Hudson (O) 22.04. 3,200: 1. Snyder (R) 9:39.03, 3. Jac. Varner (W) 9:42.65, 8. Jay. Varner (W) 10:00.88. 4x400: 1. Lowellville 3:21.59, 15. Tuslaw (Kaden Boak, Steve Swartz, Cash Iams, Manny Strong) 3:38.30.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Boys Track and Field: Rittman's Snyder wins 1,600 and 3,200