Correspondent photo / Robert Hayes McDonald senior Emma Bundy competes in the Division V girls discus at the OHSAA state track and field meet. Bundy earned fourth place with a mark of 142-01 feet.

COLUMBUS — McDonald’s track and field program has had consistent success for as long as many can remember. Seniors Emma Bundy and Cierra Shiley had been the epitome of that Blue Devil consistency, and they concluded their high school track careers with some podium honors at last weekend’s OHSAA state meet.

With a personal-best mark of 142-01 feet, Bundy earned fourth place during the Division V girls discus after taking eighth place during the shot put on day one with a best throw of 37-10.75 feet. Shiley earned seventh in the shot at 38-02.75 feet for her third consecutive outdoor shot put medal.

Bundy won bronze during the discus last June, but winning her first career shot put medal after having been seeded in the first flight came as a nice bonus for the Blue Devils senior.

“We knew that it only takes one for anybody. It was a really competitive group, I feel very blessed that I was able to get into the finals and get some more opportunities to try and do my best,” Bundy said. “I was really hoping to podium in both. It’s tough because there’s a lot of people and there’s a different environment, but at the end of the day, it’s the same ring, it’s the same shot put, you just have to have the same mentality to get in there and compete.”

This was Bundy’s fourth trek to state in the discus.

“It’s a great feeling,” Bundy said. “I think that placing in shot put really made me feel a little more confident for today. I am very blessed for having been able to PR in disc today. It was a great group of girls, really encouraging and supporting each other. You love to see people throw their best, and I think that’s what happened today. Sometimes I know right away; today had me a little confused. I didn’t know how far it would go, but I was really happy.”

Shiley is a veteran of the throwing ring herself, earning seventh at Welcome Stadium in Dayton during her sophomore year, then taking fourth place at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium last June.

“Today, there was a lot of competition. All of the girls were great, we fed off of each other, the energy was amazing. It was the best I’ve seen since I’ve been here,” Shiley said. “Knowing what mindset you need to be in and knowing what the competition is going to be like, it helps a lot to be able to perform in your best way.

“It was tough; we had to work on technique. It’s my last year, so we just had to compete every meet and try to do our best. Just having all of our teammates being able to compete with each other and seeing each other do so well. The tradition is just continuously rolling on. It’s just amazing to see the step up.”

Both credited their throws coach, Mary Domitrovich, for their success.

“It’s amazing to see so many McDonald boys and girls compete and make it down here. We’ve all worked so hard. Seeing Emma and Drew (Zajack) get so far and pass so many hardships, it’s great,” Shiley said.

Bundy added, “I’ve got to thank God, I’ve been so incredibly blessed with good health and good weather this season. Also, to have a fantastic – I think the best throwing coach in the state of Ohio in Mary Domitrovich. She works so hard for us. She’s always there for us, always encouraging us. She really knows what she’s talking about. Throwing is too technical of an event to not have a great coach. Without her, I wouldn’t be here at all.”

Bundy’s throwing days aren’t over yet, though. She’ll enroll at Walsh University and compete as a member of the Cavaliers track and field team this fall.

“I’ve excited to be able to get a good Catholic education from a nice university, and they’ve got a great team there and a great coach, and I’m really looking forward to track at Walsh. My sister, Grace, also throws collegially at YSU, and we threw a little bit together for two years.”

“I think with my sister and my family and my coaches and my team, they made the whole experience so fun and so formative. It seems like a crazy thing, but throwing in a circle and throwing a metal object can be so fun. It’s really the people around you that made me fall in love with it.”