Carrying on Stow's tradition, Brian Turner looks to run back to Columbus
In 2022, Stow-Munroe Falls boys track enjoyed its best sprinting season in school history, capped by the Bulldogs winning the Division I 800-meter relay state title.
Now the bad news: Graduation hit the Bulldogs hard.
The loss of Beacon Journal male athlete of the year Xavier Preston looms largest, but Stow also said goodbye to Dustin Horner and Bryce Turner, all of whom ran on the state title relay.
The Bulldogs still have one state champion returning, and senior Brian Turner seems ready to pick up the leadership baton.
"It's a good amount of pressure knowing I'm the last guy from the group, but what helps the pressure is knowing that I've got great teammates behind me," he said.
Turner, who has committed to run at Ashland University, showed he's ready to pick things up Saturday at the Nordonia Knight Relays. Despite not running his favored race, he finished fourth in the 100 in 11.29 seconds.
Stow coach JK LeSeure said having Turner back is priceless for the Bulldogs.
"It's huge. Both Brian Turner and Zach Shawala were part of that nationals group that were on the podium," LeSeure said. "It gives us a lot of leadership and in two different groups."
Shawala was part of Stow's top finish Saturday at Nordonia, where he joined forces with Trent Macura, Trystan Cline and Connor Scarberry to set a school, meet and stadium record with a time of 10:44.49 in the distance medley relay.
Turner said he has unfinished business in his individual sprints. Last year, he reached the regional meet in the 200, but did not advance.
"My goal for me individually is to make the state meet in the 200 and the 400," Turner said. "I just need to plan both of my races well. Me missing state in the 200 hurt a lot at states."
"He still brings a lot of leadership," LeSeure said of Turner. "He still brings a lot of the culture stuff that Xavier started. He's a big part of that as well. I think he's going to do great things in the 400. He definitely going to get to state, and I think he's got a good chance to be on the podium."
While paying tribute to both Preston and his brother Bryce, Turner said he knows replacing them is almost impossible.
"X is a dog. My brother is a dog, too," Turner said. "Those are definitely big shoes to feel. Training with him for the last three years has helped me out a lot."
High school track and field: Stow boys earn Division I 800-meter relay state title
High school track and field: Norton's Morgan Hallett, Stow's Xavier Preston earn top high school honors
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Brian Turner ready to continues Stow's sprinting tradition
