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On to the state meet

Henry sets shot put record as McDonald teams sweep regional

Staff photo / Brian Yauger Lillian Cappuzzello of McDonald, left, runs neck and neck with Maplewood’s Emily Butler. Cappuzzello edged Butler at the end to place second in the 800-meter run on Friday in the Division III track & field regional at Massillon Perry.

MASSILLON — Ryan Henry set a facility record in the shot put to help guide the McDonald boys track and field team to a regional championship at the Division III Massillon Perry Regional on Friday.

Henry beat the facility record by 2 feet, throwing for 60 feet, 1 1/2 inches. The previous record was set by Crestview’s Dominic Perry in 2019.

After taking the gold, Henry made sure to credit his competitors, namely a young star.

“The feeling is indescribable,” Henry said. “I can’t wait to go to state. There’s a lot of guys here that are really good. It’s probably the best region in Ohio. There’s a sophomore (Tyler Thompson of Rittman) that’s really good. He’s got a bright future.”

Between the girls and boys teams, who both placed first in the team competition, McDonald is sending seven athletes to state individually, as well as five relay teams.

Staff photo / Brian Yauger Ryan Henry of McDonald competes in the shot put. He set a stadium record in winning the event.

Naomi Domitrovich placed second in the 100-meter hurdles and first in the 300-meter hurdles, Melinda Brown was second in the 100-meter dash, Lillian Cappuzzello placed second in the 800-meter run and Megan Hipple finished third in the 3200-meter run.

On the boys’ end, Brody Rupe won the 1600-meter run and placed second in the 800. Greg Dickson placed fourth in the 800 to qualify as well. Henry also qualified in the discus, as well as teammate Dante Mediati.

As for the relay teams, both the McDonald girls and boys 4×800 relay teams qualified, each placing second. The boys’ 4×400 placed third and both 4×200 teams qualified, with the boys taking third and the girls ourth.

“It’s insane,” Henry said. “My coach is really good. They’ve been doing this for a long time. They make the right calls. I couldn’t be more happy to be on a good team like this.”

This will be Henry’s second trip to state. His first time around was with a different Blue Devils team. While acknowledging track is more of an individual sport, he mentioned how close his group is this year.

“I went my freshman year, I was actually throwing for Western Reserve and my brother was coaching me,” Henry said. “It’s a little different, but track is more like an individual sport, everyone kind of focuses on their own.

“I love all this, all my teammates, they’re all really good and we’re like a big family at McDonald.”

Other area boys joining Henry at state are William Hardenbrook (Crestview), David Altiere (Western Reserve) and Randall Miller (Mineral Ridge) in the 110-meter hurdles; Jesse Likens (Kennedy) and Ethan Powell (Crestview) in the 100; Haden Gibson (Brookfield) in the 400; Collin Schick (Columbiana) in the high jump; Coleson Kertesz (Springfield) in the shot put and discus; and Anthony Calderone (Sebring) in the long jump. Powell is also going to state in the 200.

Area girls reaching the state meet include Sophia Yon (Lowellville) in the 1600, Chloe Coates (Kennedy) in the 400, Emily Butler (Maplewood) in the 800, Julia Rapp (Columbiana) in the 200, Caleigh Richards (Maplewood) and Brooke Polon (Badger) in the 3200, Calena Jablonski (Badger) in the long jump and Haleigh McCalla (Springfield) in the discus.

Maplewood’s girls’ 4×800 relay team qualified, placing first, and the Rockets placed third in the 4×400. The Springfield boys won the 4×200 and the Springfield girls placed third in the 4×100. Columbiana’s girls took first.

Columbiana’s boys 4×400 team took first to qualify, as well as placing third, behind Valley Christian and Crestview, in the 4×100.

Badger’s girls placed fourth in the 4×400.

The qualifying athletes will compete in the state meet June 4-5, at Westerville North High School. In addition to the top four finishers, fifth- and sixth-place finishers could advance to state if their times, distances or heights are among the top two among the fifth- and sixth-place finishers at the state’s other three regionals.

To try and take gold at state, Henry says it will take a lot of the same approach that worked for him Friday.

“You just got to focus on yourself honestly, not getting caught up in the numbers and just let things happen,” he said. “Focus on technique and don’t go chasing. A lot of people go chasing and they just overthrow themselves. Just focus on yourself.”

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