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Falls throwers making their own path en route to Columbus

Tribune Chronicle / John Vargo Newton Falls’ Libby Barreca, left, and Izzy Kline, right, advance to state during Division III finals on Friday.

MASSILLON — Libby Barreca’s view has always been as a spectator, sitting outside the discus and throwing areas at the state track and field meet in Columbus.

Her sister, Kayla, throws for the University of Akron, finishing up her freshman year.

Now, it’s Libby’s turn to star in the discus ring.

“I’ve always been looking at my sister, getting down to state,” Libby said. “I’ve been watching her throughout the years. I’m like, ‘Wow, I’d love to be down here, hype and everything.’ It gets everyone so excited.

“The fact I can finally be able to live up to my sister’s name is really exciting. It’s really fulfilling for me. I’m really excited to be there.”

Her teammate and throwing partner, senior Izzy Kline, is going in three events — discus, high jump and shot put.

It’ll be a busy day for the Newton Falls senior as she and Libby throw the discus at 1 p.m., Friday, outside Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.

Then, Kline has to find time to toggle between the shot put area across the street from The Ohio State University track and field facility and back to the northwest end of Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium for the high jump. Both events start at 4 p.m., Friday.

It won’t be a quick jaunt like she had last week at the Division III Massillon Perry Regional. Instead, there is likely a golf cart getting her from one place to another.

Kline is a thrower by trade, so high jump was purely done on athletic talent. She jumped 5 feet, 1 inch to qualify for state, but shot put is her main focus. She has the best regional throw in the state at 44-6.75 — her personal best.

“I’m going to be training with all three of them this week,” Kline said. “I’ll be doing high jump a little bit so I don’t tire my legs out.”

As for Libby, Kline hopes her experience is exciting.

“She hasn’t experienced the state meet yet,” Kline said. “It’s a whole ‘nother game. She’ll have fun.”

Barreca has a goal in mind. She’s thrown 128 as her personal best, but is seeking to surpass 130. She threw 121-7 at regionals.

“Kayla threw 133, that was her (personal record when she was a sophomore),” Libby said. “That’s the sophomore record at my school. I’d love to finally take that.”

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