Track & field: Columbus Grove boys, Kalida girls win Putnam County League titles

May 5—OTTOVILLE — Friday's Putnam County League Track and Field Meet at the Bob Kaple Track and Field Complex was a contrast of results for the boys teams and the girls teams.

The Kalida girls team slipped out with a hard-fought 163-162 victory over runner-up Columbus Grove in the final team standings. Ottoville finished a distant third with 89 points, while Continental was fourth (28.6666) in the eight-team field.

"I knew that every little battle was going to count," Kalida head coach Scott Miller said about his girls team. I told them all week that every point matters. I just asked them to compete like crazy. ... And they did."

On the boys side, Columbus Grove's depth proved to be too much for the rest of the field, as the Bulldogs ran away with the title with 169 points. Leipsic was a distant second with 98 points. Kalida (86) and Ottoville (78) rounded out the top four teams.

"We experimented a little bit," longtime Columbus Grove boys head coach Chris Grothaus said. "We threw some young kids in there. I'm really impressed with my young kids' performances. A lot of those guys PR'd."

Koch sets PCL record

At last Saturday's Liberty-Benton Invitational, Columbus Grove senior Tadd Koch set the meet record and school record in the discus with a mark of 189 feet, 6 inches.

At Friday's PCL Meet, Koch set a new meet record in the discus with a toss of 188-11. Leipsic's Seth Apple was second (175-10). Koch's teammate, Lawson Maag was third (174-10).

Koch, who has committed to compete in track and field at the University of Findlay next school year, broke the PCL mark Friday on his very first throw.

At last week's L-B Invite, Koch broke the meet record on his last throw in the finals.

"I knew it was going to be a good meet when I threw that first one," Koch said with a smile. "After the first one, I didn't know if that was going to win it. It was a great day (weather). The first great day that we've had in a while."

Last season, Koch placed third in the discus at the Division III state meet, while Maag placed 10th.

On Friday, Koch came back after the discus, and placed second in the shot put (49-9.5). Teammate AJ Schafer won the shot put with a mark of 55-6.5

Last season, Schafer was a state-qualifier in the shot put. Schafer will be playing football at the next level, when he attends Indiana Wesleyan University next school year.

A couple weeks ago, Schafer broke the school record in the shot put in a tri-meet with a mark of 58-2.

"It was a tri meet. ... It was really nice weather. I wasn't really planning on breaking the record that day, to be honest," Schafer said.

Grove's Ellerbrock shatters meet record in the 3,200

Columbus Grove junior distance runner Luke Ellerbrock won Friday's 3,200 in a meet record and school record time of 9:24.74. Ellerbrock did not compete in the 1,600 on Friday.

"We kept him completely fresh," Coach Grothaus said. "We put him in to try to break the meet record. We didn't think he would beat the school record. I'm really impressed. The kid is a hard-nosed, tough kid."

Columbus Grove's Trent Koch finished second in the 3,200 (9:50.94).

Schlagbaum hurdles past the competition

Ottoville senior Kellen Schlagbaum was an integral part of the Big Green's district final run this past basketball season.

Unfortunately, Schlagbaum suffered an ankle injury in his last game of the season, which has made it a challenge to get back to top form in the hurdle events.

However, at Friday's Putnam County League Track and Field Meet, Schlagbaum looked to be progressing quite well.

Schlagbaum won the 110- and 300-meter hurdles. He also was part of the winning 400- and 800- meter relays.

In the 110 hurdles, Schlagbaum clocked a winning time of 15.71. In the 300 hurdles, his specialty, Schlagbaum crossed the finish line in 40 seconds flat.

"My ankle was tweaked for the first couple weeks," Schlagbaum said. "Every day at practice, we've been working on it, making sure that we strengthen it. So, it's still working for me."

His sophomore year, Schlagbaum placed sixth at the Division III state meet in the 300 hurdles. Last season, he placed fifth at the state meet in the 300 hurdles.

Schlagbaum said he has always favored the 300 hurdles, over the 110 hurdles.

"I tend to be faster, and I can hold it. So, my speed is more of a factor in the 300 hurdles, because my form is a little iffy, sometimes. So, I take advantage of the speed in between them (the hurdles). It's been working so far," he said with a grin.

Hovest wins throwing events

Kalida senior Camille Hovest has always been a little more consistent in the discus than in the shot put.

However, as of late, Hovest is starting to find her rhythm in the shot put as well.

At Friday's PCL Meet, Hovest set a personal best in the shot put with a winning mark of 41-7.

In the discus, Hovest also took first place with a toss of 144 feet.

Hovest admitted that she was not expecting a 41-foot performance in Friday's shot put.

"It kind of surprised me. I didn't think it was going to go that far, but it did," Hovest said.

In the discus, Hovest nailed her best throw of the night, early on.

"It was in the first flight," Hovest said. "It felt good. ... It came out good. I had a couple (throws) that went out (of bounds), which happens. But I'm happy with a 144."

Hovest is hopeful that she can continue to improve in both throwing events. Last season, Hovest made it to the Division III regional meet in the discus, but did not qualify for the state meet.

"With the discus, I'm a little more consistent. In the shot put, hopefully, I can become a little more consistent and make it down there (to the state meet)," she said with a grin.

Reach The Lima News sports department at 567-242-0451.