Track & field: Delphos Jefferson's Lindeman aiming high

May 6—ADA — Delphos Jefferson junior Lyv Lindeman is on a mission.

Last spring, as a sophomore, Lindeman placed ninth in the 100-meter hurdles at the Division III track and field state meet, just missing a spot on the awards podium. The top eight placers make the podium and earn all-Ohio status.

Lindeman also competed at last year's state meet in the 300-hurdles but did not make the finals.

At Saturday's Ada Invitational at War Memorial Stadium, Lindeman won the 300-meter hurdles (46.97 seconds), finished second in the 100-meter hurdles (15.06) and was fourth in the 100-meter dash (13.07).

The 100 dash immediately followed the 100 hurdles in the lineup of events on the track.

Lindeman has set some high goals for this season.

"I definitely want to get back down there (to the state meet) in both hurdles. I want to make the podium," Lindeman said. "Last year, I had a little bit of an upset, coming in ninth and hitting that last hurdle. So, I'm coming in with a little more confidence this year, and I'm aiming for that podium."

In Saturday's 300 hurdles, Lindeman got out fast and was never challenged.

"I'm definitely working on sprinting to that first hurdle and having enough confidence to run that," Lindeman said about her 300 hurdles approach.

Lindeman said this season has been a work in progress.

"I feel like at the beginning of the season, I started off slow, because of cold weather. I'm excited about this warm weather. Hopefully, I can get that peak where I want it to be, especially coming into the (postseason) tournament," Lindeman said.

Lindeman is also a standout on the basketball court. She has already verbally committed to play basketball at the collegiate level at Tiffin University.

Even though she will focus solely on basketball in college, Lindeman still has a strong desire to be the best in the hurdles in her final two years of high school.

"Right now, track is my main focus; and I'm going to compete to the best of my ability," she said.

Team champs

In Saturday's final team results for girls, Van Wert notched the title with 108 points. Kenton was second with 88.5, while Carey was a close third (86). Bluffton (74) and Fostoria (49) rounded out the top five squads in the 16-team field.

On the boys side, Kenton edged out Van Wert for the team title, 81-77. Hardin Northern (68), Spencerville (61) and Bluffton (51) rounded out the top five teams on Saturday.

Worsham readies for postseason

Temple Christian senior Cece Worsham will be playing volleyball at the next level when she attends Gulf Coast State next school year.

However, Worsham is not finished with her quest for a state title in track and field.

At Saturday's Ada Invitational, Worsham started her day by winning the 100-meter hurdles (14.81). Minutes later, Worsham came back to place second in the 100 (12.78). Later in the day, she won the 200-meter dash (26.09).

"I felt pretty good (100 hurdles). I had a rough race, in my last one," Worsham said. "So, today was just kind of — get back at it and run my own race. I felt pretty good. I still hit a couple (hurdles), but I feel like I'm going pretty steady on them (on the hurdles), and I can get a little faster."

Worsham normally does the 100 hurdles, 300 hurdles and the long jump. However, she decided to change up her routine a little bit on Saturday.

"I haven't run the 100 (dash), in I don't know how long," Worsham said with a smile. "We're trying to adjust our conditioning — focus more on speed, less volume and conditioning, and just try to preserve the body for the end of the year.

"So, I switched it (300 hurdles) for the 100. (It is) less hurt on my body, less distance and more speed focused. It's really hard to do the long jump right before the 100 hurdles, especially when it gets to the end of the year. But that's the goal — take a little break and then get right back at it. We'll get back at it (long jump and 300 hurdles) probably the end of next week."

Last season, Worsham competed in the 100 hurdles and the long jump at the Division III state meet but did not make the finals in either event.

Worsham said that she is confident she made the right decision on which sport to compete in at the collegiate level.

"It (the decision) wasn't super tough. I knew which sport I loved more," Worsham said. "I don't think I could handle that (training for track and field) for four more years. And if I'm going to devote all my time to one sport, I have to do the one I really love."

However, for now, Worsham has one goal.

"Before this season, I was really trying to get Maddie Yingst's school record (100 hurdles). And that came a lot faster than we thought it would. I made a lot more progress than I thought I would. Now, it's kind of like, get the time down as low as I can, and see if we can win state," Worsham said.

In 2017, Temple Christian's Madison Yingst won the Division III state title in the 300 hurdles.

Welch making comeback

When Van Wert's Kyra Welch suffered a severe knee injury two years ago, playing basketball, she knew the journey back wasn't going to be easy.

After coming back this past fall to compete in cross country and then to get back onto the basketball court in the winter, Welch was prepared to compete on the track this spring.

At Saturday's Ada Invitational, Welch won the 1,600 in convincing fashion, clocking a time of 5:39.66. Bluffton's June Essinger finished second (5:48.18). Welch also won the 800 in 2:28.25. Welch also competed on the third-place 3,200 relay (Welch, Braelynn Burk, Harmony Schuerman, Sarah Verville; 10:53) and the fourth-place 1,600 relay (Olivia Vaas, Welch, Sophie Gearhart, Sofi Houg; 4:27.33).

"I am back, basically 100 percent; and I was back for basketball season and played all year. I was totally fine. So, I'm pretty good now," Welch said.

Welch will be playing basketball at the next level when she attends Wittenberg next school year.

Stolly breaks record

Lima Central Catholic's Olivia Stolly broke the meet record Saturday in the long jump with a winning mark of 17 feet, 6 inches.

At last year's Division III state meet, Stolly placed sixth in the long jump.

Scott running strong

In Saturday's boys 1,600, Spencerville senior Lanny Oakman jumped out to the early lead and held off Van Wert sophomore Owen Scott for the win. Oakman's winning time was 4 minutes, 38.15 seconds. Scott crossed the finish line in 4:41.29.

However, in the 3,200, Scott stayed close to Oakman, early on. Then with about four laps to go, Scott surged ahead, took the lead, and pulled away for the victory.

Scott's winning time in the 3,200 was 10:00.49. Oakman finished a distant second in 10:22.24.

"I knew that he was going to go out hot (fast)," Scott said about Oakman in the 3,200 race. "So, I stayed back a little bit. Then around the third or fourth lap, I knew that if I wanted to pass him, it had to be now. ... So, I decided to go."

Wilson torches competition

Hardin Northern senior Zeb Wilson got out fast in Saturday's 800 and won in an impressive time of 1:58.44. Van Wert's Rylan Miller was second in 2:03.74.

Wilson's all-time personal best is 1:58.1, which he ran at last season's regional meet.

Last season, Wilson made it to the Division III state meet in the 800. However, this season, he is hoping to take it to the next level.

"I was 14th out of 16 (runners at the state meet)," Wilson said. "Not great. ... I think I ran a 2:01. But it was a good experience. This year, I'm hoping to make podium."

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