Correspondent photo / Robert Hayes. Warren G. Harding senior Ellis Daniels competes in the Division II boys shot put at the OHSAA state track and field meet last week at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium in Columbus, taking seventh place at 56-06.75 feet.

COLUMBUS — The duo of Ellis Daniels and Matthew Richardson have competed alongside each other plenty of times since they each suited up for Warren G. Harding last fall on the gridiron.

Daniels, a senior, is new to Warren after moving from Maryland, but had Richardson with him the entire way, as the two concluded the year by placing at the OHSAA Jesse Owens Track & Field State Championships this past week.

Daniels earned seventh place during the Division II boys shot put at 56-06.75 feet, while Richardson took eighth during the long jump with a mark of 22-02 feet.

It was the outdoor Ohio debut for the Raiders’ field athletes, although both placed at the OATCC Division II Indoor State Meet back in March. Daniels had previously competed at the MPSSAA Outdoor Meet back in Maryland for North Point High School last May.

“Moving here was kind of challenging because of football season and track. It’s such a huge step. The competition isn’t as good [in Maryland] as it is here in Ohio,” Daniels said. “The competition definitely pushed me to throw farther.

“Me and Matt, we’re best of friends. We’ve been friends since we were little kids. Just being able to place at the same meet is truly a blessing.”

Richardson concurred with Daniels, adding, “Warren is a very special place in my heart. I’ve been there my whole life. I’m very proud of myself. I feel I deserved this and I’ve been working very hard. Me and Ellis are great friends, we were in the hotel room together today. I whooped him in NCAA. We’re great friends. It’s exciting, it helps all of us work harder.”

When asked if he lost to Richardson in the NCAA football video game, Daniels laughed.

“Yes, it’s true,” he said.

Having previous experience against some of the best in the state helped the Raiders. Richardson was the state runner-up during the indoor long jump.

“It helped me a lot. During indoor, I needed to fix some of my technique and I fixed some of that during outdoor,” Richardson said. “The crowd helps me just get ready for my jump. I love seeing everybody in the crowd and they push me to go harder.”

Daniels added, “It’s really fun to throw, especially when you have good meets. Most of the throwers are always chill and they’re nice people to make friends with.”

On the football field, the pair are both committed to play at the next level. Daniels, a defensive tackle and right guard, committed to the Virginia Military Institute, while Richardson, a defensive back, is headed to Central Michigan University following his senior year at Harding.

Both dedicated themselves to track just as much as they’ve decided themselves to football, and the results show.

“It helps me break on the ball as a cornerback, and it helps me just go up and make plays,” Richardson said. “Being a leader, I feel like being a leader is one of the most important things as an athlete, and I feel like if I’m able to do that then I’ll be able to fully reach my potential.”

“Our strength coach for football definitely helps get us in shape,” Daniels added. “He got my bench and all of my weight room numbers up. Our football coaches like it when we do multiple sports. It’s really just a blessing because me and Matt both took track really seriously. For us to put in the hard work and make it here is truly a blessing.”