By TODD REED
News Leader Sports Editor
Long-distance runner Aaron Roberts accounted for a team-high 12.25 as Minerva beat Alliance 71-57.
The Lions remain undefeated on the season at 3-0.
Roberts won the 1600 in 4:52.12 and the 3200 in 11:12.22; was a member of the winning 4x800 relay team (9:14) along with Corey Allen, James Hiles and J.D. King; and placed third in the high jump with a leap of 5'6.
Jordan Cox swept both hurdle races, winning the 110 in 15.59 and the 300 in 42.5.
Also winning were Clint Ford in the 400 (52.55), King in the 800 (2:10.25), Ryan Kohler in the 200 (23.72), Josh Hiles in the shot (41'4) and the 4x400 (3:41.6) consisting of Jake Brown, Ford, Ja. Hiles and King.
Seconds went to Spencer Mapes in the 800 (2:12.34), Riley Jobes in the 3200 (n/a), Nathan Coldsnow in the high jump (5'8), Evan Nickell in the shot (38'1) and Jo. Hiles in the discus (107'6.5).
Finishing third were Ford in the 100 (11.54), Jobes in the 1600 (5:02), Coldsnow in the 300 hurdles (44.82), Joey Wimsatt in the 200 (24.47) and Mapes in the 3200 (n/a).
"We were behind going into the 200, but Ryan Kohler's first and Joey Wimsatt's third tied the score," noted Head Coach Tom Stafford. "We then went 1-2-3 in the 3200 to clinch the win. Everyone did their job to help get this victory.
"We knew they had speed, but our distance is starting to come on and really gave us some points this meet. It is nice to be 3-0 in the league right now. We continue to improve with each meet."
The boys put on a solid display last Saturday afternoon, winning the Valkyrie Invitational at Ravenna Stadium.
The 4x100 of Wimsatt, Brown, Taylor Moore and Kohler finished first with a time of 45.4.
Seconds went to Ford in the 100 (11.38), Roberts in the 1600 (4:51) and 3200 (10:27.7), Kohler in the 200 (23.1) and the 4x200 (1:33.6) consisting of Wimsatt, Brown, Moore and Kohler.
Placing third were Cox in the 110 hurdles (15.6), Ford in the 200 (23.2), Coldsnow in the high jump (5'10), Jo. Hiles in the shot (42'10.5) and the 4x800 (8:51.15) consisting of Roberts, Allen, Ja. Hiles and King.
Finishing fourth were Ford in the 400 (52.2), Allen in the 800 (2:09) and Cox in the 300 hurdles (42.3).
Fifths went to Ford in the long jump (18'11.5), Jo. Hiles in the discus (116'3.5) and the 4x400 (3:38.9) consisting of Brown, Cox, Ja. Hiles and King.
Coldsnow placed sixth in the 110 hurdles (15.95) and eighth in the 300 hurdles (45.6) and Roberts was seventh in the high jump (5'8).
"This was a big day for the boys, beating Tallmadge for the win," noted Coach Stafford. "We had two runners in all the sprint and hurdle finals and it was nice placing two in each event. That really helped our score.
"Our relays had a super day. The 4x100 and 4x200 are just tenths of seconds from getting the record. Aaron Roberts had a great day, placing second in the 3200 and then again in the 1600. That's huge for a distance runner.
"Josh Hiles had another nice showing in the throws and Clint had a super time in the 400 and did a nice job in the long jump.
"The team is coming on. Their hard work is starting to pay off."
Girls Track and Field
The Evanich sisters combined to record five firsts and three seconds in leading the Lady Lions past Alliance 91-37.
Ashley Evanich swept the throws, winning the shot (30'5) and discus (105'9.5)
Melissa Evanich won the 200 (27.64); was second in the 400 (1:06.84); and was a member of two winning relays - the 4x200 (1:52.59) along with Aliysha Stermer, Brittney Yost and Angela Grindstaff; and the 4x400 (5:01) along with Taylor Maurer, Grindstaff and Kassidy Hardgrove.
Heather Evanich finished second to her sister in both the shot (29'6.5) and discus (92'9).
Hardgrove won the 100 (13.53) and 400 (1:02.78) and finished second in the 200 (27.97).
Also winning were Addie Riley in the 300 hurdles (53.03), Erica Toussant in the 800 (2:37.79), Emily DePalmo in the 3200 (12:43), Yost in the high jump (4'10) and the 4x800 (11:44.17) consisting of Emily Mapes, Maurer, DePalmo and Toussant.
Placing second were Hillary Carle in the 100 hurdles (17.69), DePalmo in the 1600 (5:53), Nicole Christner in the 300 hurdles (53.47), Grindstaff in the 800 (2:39.5) and Yost in the long jump (15'1.5).
Thirds went to Christner in the 100 hurdles (17.8) and long jump (13'9), Julie Russell in the 400 (1:09.02) and Toussant in the 3200 (13.38).
"This was an easy meet for the girls," commented Coach Stafford. "We did some playing around to see if the kids could do other events and found some nice results. We are working with them to see what we can put together for the NBC.
"Their hard work is starting to show. This girls team has great work ethic and great attitudes."
The Lady Lions finished second at the Valkyrie Invitational.
Hardgrove received the MVP Sprinter Award.
The freshman placed first in the 400 (1:00.0), second in the 100 (in a school-record time of 12.9) and 200 (26.8) and was a member of the sixth-place 4x400 (4:30.9) along with M. Evanich, Maurer and Grindstaff.
Also winning were Yost in the long jump (16'7) and the 4x200 (1:50.8) consisting of Stermer, Yost, Grindstaff and M. Evanich.
The 4x100 of Barrick, Stermer, Yost and H. Riley finished second in 52.4; DePalmo was third in the 3200 (12:32.9) and A. Evanich was third in the discus (100'2).
Placing fourth were Stermer in the 100 (13.5) and Christner in the 100 hurdles (18.0), while fifths went to A. Riley in the 300 hurdles (51.7) and H. Evanich in the discus (98'6).
Finishing sixth were Carle in the 100 hurdles (18.14), DePalmo in the 1600 (5:58) and A. Evanich in the shot (31'2.5).
Eighths went to M. Evanich in the 400 (1:04.5), Christner in the 300 hurdles (52.7), Yost in the high jump (4'10) and the 4x800 (10:48.8) consisting of Grindstaff, Maurer, A. Riley and DePalmo.
"The sprinters and hurdlers both had two in the finals, like the boys, and this really helped our score," commented Coach Stafford. "The sprint relays had another awesome showing. The 4x200 are tenths of seconds from the record, as is the 4x100.
"We are excited to see fast relay times. It has been a long time since we've seen times like this.
"Kassidy had an awesome day. Her times were super. She tied the school record in the 100 and almost broke 60 seconds in the 400. She is also closing in on the 200 record.
"Melissa Evanich had some great times on the day and Emily DePalmo had a great 3200 and came back and had a nice showing in the 1600.
"Brittney Yost just missed the school record in the long jump. Her confidence is coming and hopefully, she reaches her goal.
"All the girls had great showings in every event. We are excited to see how they keep improving."
Minerva was to face West Branch on April 22, before competing in the Stark County Invitational, at Perry, this Saturday, April 26. Both teams will travel to Marlington on Tuesday, April 29.
treed@alliancelink.com