AUSTINTOWN - During the first day of Division I regionals at Austintown Fitch, Warren G. Harding mainly placed from sixth to eighth in the preliminaries.
Coach Charles Penny doesn't care, just so long the Raiders advance to Friday's finals.
"Focus is we're moving on to Friday," Penny said. "Obviously you want to be in that top four to gain a little more confidence. Our main goal today was not worry about time or place."
Penny added that it was a tough day for sprinters in hot weather. Wednesday's highest temperature was 80 degrees at 5:45 p.m., according to weather.com.
"We knew we were battling with our sprinters," Penny said. "They ran good times, and so did everybody else. We're still getting better. That's the main thing we're looking at here."
During warm days, Penny said the best-conditioned teams move ahead to the next day. He is unsure if his team is the best conditioned.
"That'll be answered Friday," he said.
The highest finish by a Harding athlete was Alexandra Allen. She placed second in the 100-meter hurdles after winning that event in districts. She also placed in the top eight in the 300-meter hurdles (finished third in districts).
Allen said practicing on her strides since Saturday helped her in the 300-meter hurdles.
"This week I'm just worried about helping everyone out to get to the finals," Allen said. "I know I'm going to make state in the 300-meter hurdles. I'm going to push myself harder."
Another Harding district winner, Jai-lyn Moore in the long jump, was unable to defend his title. He was scratched from the card due to an undisclosed injury.
Howland coach Sean Borawiec likes his team's chances in the 300-meter hurdles where Andrew Hamilton broke the school record on Wednesday. He finished in 39.05 seconds.
The Tigers qualified 10 athletes in eight events.
"It's a great showing for Howland," Borawiec said. "In recent years, we haven't had that many qualifiers. We're doing some good things. I'm just excited to go back on Friday."
In discus throwing, Fitch's Billy Price finished second after winning the districts. After he threw his final disc, Price walked over to his family and coach T.J. Koniowsky with a disgruntled look, stating he underestimated his opponents.
"I kind of overthought this meeting," Price said. "I thought I was going to be a walk-in and just didn't take to the full potential what these guys could actually do."
