BOYS

Southview’s Hayes sets sights on repeat

Winning an individual state championship one time is considered a major feat, particularly in track and field.

Winning multiple state titles is twice the feat.

Olympic silver medalist high jumper Erik Kynard, a 2009 Rogers grad, is the only Toledoan to win two Ohio track and field state championships during the 21st century.

Kynard, who won the Division I state high jump championship in back-to-back years (2008, 2009), makes up more than half of all the individual boys state track champions in this century by a Toledo-area student athlete.

Southview’s Frank Hayes, winner of the D-I 800 meters a year ago, is the only Sylvania schools boys track and field athlete to return to a state meet as a state champion.

Hayes looks to defend his title during the Ohio state track and field championships today and Saturday at Ohio State University’s Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.

“It’ll be tough, but I think I can pull it off,” said the Southview senior, of trying to close out his high school career as a state champion. FULL STORY

GIRLS

Liberty-Benton’s Butler faces familiar challenger

Findlay Liberty-Benton’s girls track team qualified for the Division II state track and field championships in nine events.

That’s one more than a year ago when the Eagles won the team championship in a major way.

Leading the defending D-II state champions into the state track and field championships taking place today and tomorrow at Ohio State University’s Jesse Owens Memorial stadium is defending 100 and 200-meter champion Michaela Butler. The Liberty-Benton senior, who owns the D-II state record for the 100 (11.68), is focused on finishing out her high school career on a high note.

“I’d like to defend both of my titles, obviously,” said Butler, who will run for Notre Dame in the fall. “But I want to make sure that I put my team in a good position and that’s the main goal.”

Butler is also a member of the Eagles 1600 relay that also includes Lindsey Bishop, Sophie Norden and Leah Recker. However, Meghan Bartel (1600, 3200 relay), Emma Swisher (pole vault), Taylor Thomas (3200 relay), Bishop (high jump, long jump, 3200 relay) and Recker (800, 3200 relay) provide the Eagles with as many opportunities to score points as any team in the D-II meet. FULL STORY

First Published June 3, 2016, 5:01 a.m.