Track & field: Ottawa-Glandorf's Fortman qualifies for state in four events

May 29—PIQUA — It's all about counting to four.

At the Division II regional track-and-field meet at Piqua this week, Ottawa-Glandorf junior Alexa Fortman did just that in four events.

The top four placers in each event at the regional meets, automatically qualify for next weekend's Ohio High School Athletic Association state track meet at Ohio State. There are two at-large bids in each event from all four regionals in the state that will also compete at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium this coming Friday and Saturday.

On Thursday, the first day of the two-day regional meet at Piqua's Alexander Stadium, Fortman was part of the 3,200-meter relay (Fortman, Rose Turnwald, Olivia Fenbert, Madelyn Hovest) that placed fourth in a time of 9 minutes, 33.23 seconds.

Saturday, Fortman started her day, placing second in the 400 (56.93 seconds). Teammate Olivia Fenbert placed fifth in the 400 (58.83), but earned an at-large bid for the state meet.

A little later in the day, Fortman finished second in the 800 (2:14.51). Indian Hill's Elizabeth Whaley won the 800 in a regional-record time of 2:10.25.

Then, in the final event Saturday, the 1,600-meter relay, Fortman anchored the Titans (Fenbert, Corinne Closson, Averie Fox, Fortman) to a second-place finish (4:02.77).

"I'm very excited," Fortman said. "We're going to try to stay focused this week and perform well at state.

"You just have to keep focusing on running your race, and not worry about your competition. But that (competition) definitely makes the race a lot tougher, because everyone is fast now. You just have to really give it your all and leave everything out on the track."

At last year's Division II state meet, Fortman placed third in the 400 (56.74) and fifth in the 800 (2:15.66).

Fortman said she is looking forward to her return trip to the state meet.

"I feel a little more confident and comfortable. I think, going in, knowing what to expect (at the state meet) will help," Fortman said.

Ironically, this is the first time that Fortman has competed at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium for the state meet. Last year, the three divisions were split up (due to COVID-19), and the state meets were held at separate high schools. Fortman's freshman year, the season was halted, due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

"I've been marking this since I was really little. ... I'm really excited," Fortman said in reference to competing at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium. "It was exciting last year, running at a high school. But Jesse Owens (Memorial Stadium) is like the place to run. I think everyone is going to be ecstatic to run there."

O-G's Emma Hoffman won the regional title Saturday in the discus. Hoffman's winning toss was 131 feet, 2 inches, which came on her first throw in the finals.

"There were a couple technical things that I was trying to get down this week at practice," Hoffman said. "I was really trying to work on them. With my first three throws today (in preliminaries), it was hard to get it. Then in the finals, I got it."

Hoffman, a sophomore, came into this week's regional meet, hoping to finish in the top four spots.

"Coming in, I was really hoping to win," Hoffman said. "But I was more focused on surviving and advancing to state."

Celina's Amelia Lutz came in third Saturday in the discus (125-6). On Thursday, Lutz won the shot put (38-8).

In the girls final team standings at Piqua, O-G finished third. Celina had the next-best area finish (fifth).

On the boys side, Van Wert had the best area performance, as the Cougars finished fourth. Bath had the next-best area performance, finishing 10th.

Van Wert relays do well

The Van Wert boys team notched first place in three relays this week at Piqua.

On Thursday, Van Wert's 3,200 relay (Trey Laudick, Hunter Sherer, Gage Springer, Gage Wannemacher) won in a time of 8:06.28.

On Saturday, Van Wert's 800 relay (Connor Pratt, Nathan Jackson, Nate Phillips, Trey Laudick) won in a time of 1:29.83. Van Wert's time in the 800 relay Saturday was its best of the year.

Jackson, the third leg for Van Wert's 800 relay, wanted to put Laudick (anchor leg) in a good position when he passed him the baton.

"I knew I was a little bit behind, so I was trying to catch up, because I wanted to give Trey (Laudick) the best chance that I could. I knew if I was close, that Trey would get it done," Jackson said.

Pratt, the first leg of Van Wert's 800 relay, said he prefers to set the pace.

"I love leading (off), because it kind of reminds me of the (open) 400," Pratt said. "It's always good for me to be able to see people, and see where I am at."

The Cougars' 1,600 relay (Nate Phillips, Gage Springer, Connor Pratt, Nathan Jackson) wrapped up Saturday with a victory (3:23.89).

First trip for Griffiths

Last spring, Bath's Xavier Griffiths did not make it out of districts.

Now, the junior thrower will compete in both the discus and shot put next weekend in Columbus.

On Thursday, Griffiths placed third in the discus with a mark of 151-10. His teammate, Lucas Prichard, finished fourth in the discus (147-9).

On Saturday, Griffiths won the shot put (54-3 3/4 ).

Last year, Griffiths' best mark in the shot put was 44-6. This season, Griffiths' best toss was 57-1.

"That's been the dream (to go to state). All the hard work has been put into it," Griffiths said. "Today, I came into the regional meet, wanting that big throw. ... I wanted a 60 (-foot throw). But maybe it was God's timing that I throw it at the state meet. I wanted it really bad, but I still have next week to throw that big one."

Bowers wins hurdles

St. Marys senior Brandon Bowers won the 110-meter hurdles Saturday (15.05).

Bowers went to Piqua this week for not only the 110 hurdles, but also for the 300 hurdles and long jump.

Bowers finished 10th in the long jump (20-7). He did not make the finals in the 300 hurdles.

Deehring advances

Van Wert freshman Kendra Deehring finished fourth in the 100 (12.86) and was part of the winning 800 relay (Deehring, Macy Johnson, Danesha Branson, Sofi Houg; 144.61).

Van Wert's Mia Rager placed fourth in the long jump Saturday (16-5).

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