High School Sports

Devils’ postseason success continues

NEW MIDDLETOWN -- McDonald's track and field teams are no strangers to postseason success. The 2021 iterations look to be headed for that same success as well, capturing the title on both the boys' and girls' sides of the Division III Springfield District meets on Friday.

The Blue Devil boys scored 118 points on the evening, beating host Springfield, which scored 89, and Mineral Ridge, which tallied 70.20. The success extended to the girls team as well, as it scored 113 points compared to second-place Mineral Ridge's 74. The host Tigers placed third with 72 points.

McDonald senior Brody Rupe took the top spot in the 800-meter run, 1600-meter run and was the opening runner for the 4×800 relay team, which took first place as well.

"We did really well as a team," Rupe said. "Our 4×200 made it out to regionals which is exciting, and then I won the mile (1600) and 800, which was my main goal today. Honestly, during the 800, I didn't think I was going to make it out, because there were a lot of good guys, but I ended up winning."

On the girls' side, McDonald senior Naomi Domitrovich took the top spot in both the 100 and 300 hurdles as well as placing second in the 4×200 relay.

"I'm pretty tired, but I'm excited," a winded Domitrovich said after the 300 hurdles. "My team reached regionals in the 4×800 and I also made it in the 300 hurdles and 100 hurdles so I'm pretty excited right now."

Domitrovich reached state in each of her first two years and missing the 2020 season has kept her motivated to go as far as she can in her senior year.

"Obviously losing last year was really hard, but I'm glad all the training is paying off right now," Domitrovich said. "There's been lots of ups and downs, but I'm blessed to have wonderful coaches that have helped me keep a good mindset and I'm blessed to have a team that helps us all stay positive with each other."

"My goal is to do well at regionals and whatever happens, happens."

For Rupe, taking gold in the 1600 at state is his main solo objective, but he wants to help his team bring home the big trophy in his last go around.

"Ever since I placed fourth my sophomore year in the mile I wanted to win it this year," he said. "I mean my main goal is at state just to place really well in my events and hopefully we get a trophy there. That's been my goal ever since I started track like six years ago.

"If I were to achieve that this season, that'd be like a dream come true. Being in my last year I'm really sad and everything because I'm gonna miss this. It's been really fun."

McDonald's Ryan Henry, took the top spot in both the discus and shot put, netting the Blue Devils an additional 20 points.

Brandon Paige of Valley Christian won the 100-meter dash with a time of 11.07 as well as anchoring the Eagles who won the 4×100 relay.

Brookfield's Haden Gibson won the 400-meter dash with Kennedy's Jesse Likens following close behind. Chloe Coates, also of Kennedy, won the girls' 400-meter dash and placed second in both the 100 and 200-meter dashes.

Two Mineral Ridge throwers, Emma Rich and Iyonna Pearce, took the top two spots in the shot put and will move on to the regionals. Rich placed third in the discus, advancing in both events.

Each of the event's three pole vaulters, Sierra Tech, Ryan Heym and Brandon Teter, all from Pymatuning Valley will continue on as well.

The regional meet will be held across two days, May 26 and 28, at Massillon Perry High School.