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.

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“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.

“I’m really looking forward to it,” Recker said, of the state meet.

“I feel so blessed to go into it with such a great team. There are so many talented girls and there’s a bond there.

“It’s a really great experience, whether we come out with the win or not.”

Yet, there are several others representing northwest Ohio who are in pursuit of individual achievements at the state championships.

Rossford’s Regan Clay, a junior, is considered a favorite to defend her 400 state title, but could also challenge Butler in the 100 and 200 races. She’s coming off a strong regional in which she broke her own record for the 400 (54.77) and upset Butler in the 200 with a meet-record time of 24.12.

In the 100 at the regional meet, Clay (12.06) ran a close second to Butler (11.96).

Clay doesn’t exactly consider racing against Butler as a rival. There’s a mutual respect between the two.

“For the 100 and 200, I don’t really feel pressure because she’s so good,” Clay said, of Butler. “If I don’t beat her and she wins, well, she’s amazing. She’s just that good of an athlete that even losing to her by only that much, it still means you’ve improved because she’s just that spectacular.”

Toledo Christian’s Micah Johnston is the defending D-III 400 state champion. Besides looking to repeat as the top 400 runner, Johnston is looking to nab the 200 and long jump championships and end her career at Toledo Christian by winning three state titles in her senior season.

Johnston’s time of 56.36 for the 400 is the top qualifying time. Her time for the 200 (25.16) is also leading the way and her long jump effort of 18-6 is second to none.

Eastwood’s Katelyn Meyer is in four D-II events. She’s competing in the 100 hurdles, high jump and long jump, and on Eastwood’s 400 relay team.

Others to watch

In Division I, Southview’s Lauren Micham is making her first trip to the state meet and is a contender for both hurdles events after sweeping the regional competition.

Her time of 14.54 in the 100 hurdles and her time of 43.99 in the 300 hurdles rank among the top half of the state qualifiers for each event.

Springfield’s Abby Helminiak, a fourth-place finisher in the pole vault at state a year ago, owns the second-best qualifying mark. Her personal-record height of 12 feet, 9 inches, which won her a regional title a week ago, is an inch shy of the top height recorded among D-I pole vaulters heading into state.

“I’m excited to see the competition,” Helminiak said.

Blue Devils teammate Victoria Abunaw, a sophomore, is making her first appearance at state after qualifying for the 100 hurdles. Her time of 14.64 places her in the middle of the pack among state qualifiers.

Clay’s Haley Hess is a returning state qualifier and figures to be in contention in the 1600. Her time of 4:59.31 at regionals gives her the sixth-fastest time among qualifiers.

Notre Dame’s Stephanie Sherman, a senior, and Start’s Keypathwa Gibson, a junior, will run at state for the first time. Sherman is in the 3200 (11:15.69), and Gibson advanced in the 400 (56.71).

Northview’s Jenna Kill, only a sophomore, looks to make the most of her first venture to the state meet after qualifying in the 800 (2:16.34).

“I’m really excited to make it and I think it will be a cool experience,” Kill said.

Whitmer’s Julia Kimmel is also competing in the 300 hurdles (44.66).

Southview’s Kennedy Marable is in stiff competition for the long jump. Her best (17-4.50) is nearly two feet behind the front-runner.

Anthony Wayne’s Alexa Fries and Madison Pollard give the Generals two state qualifies in field events. Fries, a freshman, is in the high jump (5-4) and Pollard, a junior, is in the discus (134-feet).

In Division II, Port Clinton’s Morrisa Mallory, a state runner-up in the shot put last year, qualified with a mark of 44-4.

Rossford’s Kaitlyn Clark appears to be following Clay’s footsteps, qualifying as a freshman in the 400.

Having Clay as a teammate led to qualifying for state, according to Clark.

“I probably would not be where I am right now if it wasn’t for her,” she said. “She pushes me at practice and boosts up my confidence a lot.”

Central Catholic’s Anna Kovacs, Megan Hanenkrath, Nakiya Taylor-McGee and Simone Green own the second fastest time (4:00.66) among state qualifiers for the 1600 relay.

In Division III, Woodmore’s Carly Rothert will compete in the 100 hurdles (15.60), 300 hurdles (46.70), and high jump (5-2).

Maumee Valley Country Day’s Emma Daugherty enters the high jump after clearing 5-5 in regionals. She owns the third-best height among the state qualifiers. Cardinal Stritch’s Lauren Loucks (5-4) could also challenge for No. 1.

Cardinals sprinter Kali Hardy will vie for titles in the 100 (12.40) and 200 (25.83).

Archbold’s Julia Lambert, Emily Roth, Gwynne Riley, and Dakota Stamm are one of the top state qualifiers for the 1600 relay, with a season-best time of 4:02.37.

Fostoria St. Wendelin’s Sophia Volpe owns the fifth-fastest time (5:07.76) among the qualifiers for the 1600 and teammate Maddie Borer checks in with the fifth-best qualifying time (2:15.53) for the 800.

Contact Donald Emmons at: demmons@theblade.com, 419-724-6302 or on Twitter @DemmonsBlade.

First Published June 3, 2016, 4:39 a.m.