by Steve Batko
Correspondent
It came down to the last event -- the 1,600-meter relay -- with the Stow-Munroe Falls boys track and field team holding a slim 117-113 advantage over Nordonia in the sixth annual Reinhart Relays at Stow-Munroe Falls stadium
The Bulldog quartet of senior Rob Walker, sophomore Matt Lovell, junior Yusef Husseini and junior Chris Dunphy took fourth place, but the finish enabled the Bulldogs to secure the overall team trophy over Nordonia April 26.
Bulldogs coach Mike Drozin was pleased with the title as his squad edged Nordonia 121-112 for the crown while a solid Tallmadge unit placed third (86). The event honors legendary Stow cross country and track coach Dave Reinhart.
The 6,400-meter relay captured a title as sophomore Nick Brenner, junior Phil Ruolo, sophomore Justin Pesich and senior Mike Heller had a combined time of 19:12.8 in beating Willoughby South (19:34) and a powerful crew from Tallmadge, that was a disappointing third.
In high jump action at Stow, the Bulldogs also won as senior Nevin Nettey, senior Eric Saxe, and freshman Duane Mitchell teamed up. Mitchell was fourth overall with a leap of 6 feet. Saxe and Nettey were both fifth (5-10).
The distance medley team of Ruolo, Dunphy, Pesich, and Brenner beat a strong unit from Tallmadge.
In the open 3,200-meter race at the Reinhart Relays, Heller won easily with a time of 9:48. Senior teammate David Christman also had a great effort, running fourth with a clocking of 10:46.5.
Stow also had success in the hurdles. The shuttle hurdle relay of Husseini, Walker, Nettey, and senior Rick Bailey tied the meet record of 1:04.7. In the 110 highs, Bailey and Husseini ran second and third, respectively. Bailey's time was 15.8 seconds and Husseini had a 16.2.
Placing second at the Reinhart Relays was the team's 800-meter relay of Nettey, Mitchell, Dunphy, and junior anchor Mike Jefferson. The time was 1:31.8.
Pole vault action also fared well for Stow. Lovell, Dustin Jiles, and Husseini finished second overall. Jiles, just a junior, placed third (10-6) behind teammate Husseini (11-0) and Tallmadge champ Aaron Warner (12-0). The long jump team was also second with Mitchell placing second overall with an effort of 20-6 feet. Walker reached 18-6.75 and Dunphy, 17-6.
The Bulldogs' discus crew was second overall. Junior Mike Fackleman was fourth overall (128-05), followed by sophomore Eric Davis (fifth; 123-10) and senior Pat Datimo, who was 12th (112-0). Datimo was strong in helping Stow's shot put relay place fourth. Datimo was fifth (42-3.5 feet). He was aided by freshman Matt Weitzenhoffer (12th; 39-3.25), and Fackleman, who was 15th.
In the sprint medley competition, Stow was third with a time of (1:38.9). This group included Bailey, senior Brad Ziegler, Jefferson, and Nettey.
Placing fourth was Bailey in the 100-meter dash with a clocking of 11.6 seconds and senior teammate Oliver Harper was seventh (11.8).
The 1,600 relay had a modest time of 3:43.9 while the 3200 relay also ran fourth (8:57.7) behind sophomore Travis Charboneau, freshman Greg Oneacre, junior Mike Matthews, and sophomore Max Gaunter.
In upcoming action, Stow will host Nordonia May 6 and run in the Ellet Orange Bowl Relays May 9. All action begins at 4 p.m.
E-mail: stowsports@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3113