Suburban League National track and field seniors peaking just in time for postseason runs

TWINSBURG — When it comes to the state track meet, motivations to get to Dayton are as varied as the athletes.

For Wadsworth's Will Stack, it's about breaking through after missing last year.

For Hudson's Ben Shabino, it's about chasing a state title.

For Stow's Jayla Atkinson, it's about defending a state title — and helping pick up one for her friends.

All three seniors warmed up for the postseason by claiming titles Tuesday at the Suburban League National Conference meet at Twinsburg.

Atkinson is the defending Division I state champion in the 800 meters, and favored to repeat. Before she runs off to the University of Kentucky, Atkinson would like to lead Stow to state gold in the 3,200-meter relay.

Atkinson, Deena Ingrassia and Danzi Jones return from the Stow 3,200 relay that placed 10th last year at state. Joining forces with freshman Ava Perrotta, the group showed they are ready for the postseason, winning the event in a time of 9:22.07. According to Stow distance coach JK LeSeure, the time is the second-fastest in school history and fastest in Ohio this year.

Atkinson said Perrotta has been a perfect addition to the relay and getting double gold is a major goal of hers.

"Ava is a hard worker," Atkinson said. "She has a big heart. It definitely would be very big for me. I feel like I've been working really hard to make that happen. I feel like everyone in the relay has been doing everything they can to win."

"We think coming down to the state meet, those girls can do something pretty special," said Stow coach Doug Herbert. "Every single one of these girls is incredible talented and, obviously, it helps having Jayla at anchor."

In the long jump, Stack wants redemption after finishing 10th at regional last spring and missing the state meet.

On Tuesday, he showed he's peaking at the right time. Stack was in a dogfight with Stow's Gino Hinton as both set new personal bests Tuesday.

Stack won the long jump with a leap of 22 feet, 4.5 inches, edging Hinton's best jump of 22 feet, 2 inches.

"It's great to hit your peak right now to get ready for district and regionals," Stack said. "Shout out to [Hinton]. He was crazy. He was hitting some bombs. We both PRed. It was a great duel. That was fun."

A similar duel developed in the discus ring for Shabino, a returning All-Ohioan who has golden goals before moving on to throw at Cornell.

Shabino was pushed by Brecksville's Justin Habig, who broke 164 feet with his fifth throw. However, Shabino answered with a toss of 167-1, which proved to be the winning distance.

"I feel better. I'm finally getting some far throws out there," Shabino said. "It's really motivating. When he threw 164, that's the reason I threw 167 today. I just had to beat him.

Shabino wants state discus gold after finishing fourth in Columbus last year, but also wants to reach state in the shot put.

"It's pretty important," he said. "I'd really like to get there for shot. For discus, I have to get there."

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Senior stars score gold at Suburban League National Conference meet