The Lexington boys’ track and field team has been crowned Ohio Cardinal Conference Champions, as the Minutemen relied on a strong effort that spanned across their entire team.
The boys’ team won the OCC title with a score of 162.50, beating out Ashland with 130 points. New Philadelphia was third with 121.5; Mount Vernon was fourth with 80; Madison Comprehensive and West Holmes each had 52 for a tie for fifth; Wooster had 47 points for seventh and Mansfield Senior was eighth with 16 points.
“It wasn't just one kid, or one group, it was a complete team effort,” said Coach Michael Moore. “Watching them come together like they did was fun to watch. Having kids beat their personal best event after event made this moment even better.”
Moore noted that Carter Newman, Latrell Hughes and Will Perkins all ran top three times in their sprints. The 4x200 meter relay team of Newman, Latrell, Bryston Hess and Coen Queen broke the meet record and the school record.
Hughes had two lifetime personal records in the hurdles and his points were critical for the team’s success. He was fourth in the 110 meters (15.89) and third in the 300 meters (40.36) for a bronze medal.
Smith praised Distance Coach Denise Benson for getting her runners ready, saying there is nobody better in the business. Chance Basilone and Ethan Slone had PRs in the mile going first and second, and Slone had a PR in the 800 meters. Basilone running a tough double 1600/3200 and picked up silver medals. Gage Devaney won a bronze and hit a lifetime PR in the 3200 meters.
Eli Barr has made huge improvements of late. Over the last two weeks he has hit a nearly three foot PR, going for 12 feet, three inches and taking fourth place.
Medal winners:
100 meters: Newman and Hughes were second and third with respective times of 11.27 and 11.38.
200 meters: Perkins won gold with a time of 22.20 and Newman picked up a silver with a time of 22.23.
400 meters: Hughes won gold with a time of 49.27 and Perkins was second, clocking in at 49.43.
800 meters: Slone took the bronze with a time of 1:59.34.
1600 meters: Basilone won gold with a time of 4:17.71, and Slone was second with a time of 4:23.81.
3200 meters: Basilone took silver with a time of 9:45.35 and Devaney was third with a time of 9:57.31.
300 meter hurdles: Hughes was third with a time of 40.36.
4x100 meter relay: Lexington was third with a time of 44.72. The team included Queen, Cayden Kunkle, Hughes and Hess.
4x200 meter relay: Lexington won the 4x200 meters with a meet and school record setting time of 1:29.41.
4x800 meter relay: The Minutemen won bronze with a time of 8:37.25. The team included Terrance Corbin, Devaney, Elijah Newland and Perkins.
Shot put: Evan Porter was third with a toss of 45 feet, 1.5 inches.
Discus: Rob Tommelleo was second with a toss of 144 feet, 10 inches.
