COLUMBUS – Lywanna Melvin kept competing and working Saturday.
The Bowling Green senior’s grit and determination enabled her to earn All-Ohio honors in the discus with
a fourth-place finish in the state track and field meet at Ohio State University’s Jesse Owens Stadium.

Her best throw covered 132-4 and moved her from seventh place to fourth during the finals.
That throw came on her second attempt of the finals after she had fallen to seventh place. She entered
the finals in sixth place, but her distance was temporarily beaten by another competitor. (SEE
PHOTO GALLERY)
The fourth-place finish earned Melvin All-Ohio recognition and a trip to the awards stand. The all-state
honors and a spot on the podium go to the top eight finishers in each event.
Melvin was joined on the awards stand by two Perrysburg athletes – sophomore Kaitlyn Llewellyn, who was
sixth in the 1,600; and junior Cameron Gardner, who had the same finish in the 200.
"I’m definitely happy. I didn’t make the podium last year and I wanted to be there this year,"
said Melvin, who was ninth in the event last year.
The 16 competitors each receive three throws with the top nine distances advancing to the finals where
they have three more throws to better their distance.
"Last year made me work even harder to improve and make myself even better," she said.
Melvin’s throw Saturday was just shy of her school record of 134-10 earlier this season.
She finished second in the Amherst regional a week ago with a distance of 133-2, the fifth-best of the
state qualifiers.
Reynoldsburg senior Melissa Dodaro won the event for the second straight year with a distance of 146-4.

Youngstown Fitch sophomore Ali Tolich was second at 142-8, while Brunswick senior Hillary Perrera was
third at 142-6.
"I was more relaxed and not as nervous this year, and I’m just a lot more confident," Melvin
said.
Llewellyn was sixth in her event for the second straight year, posting a time of 4:59.29 – the first time
she’s broken the 5-minute mark. Her previous best was 5:03.3 last week when she was third in the
regional.
Rocky River Magnificat junior Madeline Chambers was first in 4:49.18, while Hilliard Davidson senior Tori
Brink was second in 4:55.12.
"I’m very happy with my finish," she said. "I ran really well. It was fast-paced, so it
was good competition to run against."
Gardner had a time of 25.30 in the 200. Reynoldsburg freshman Destinee Gause won in 24.21, while Canton
GlenOak sophomore Kandace Thomas was second in 24.66.
"My goal was to get to the state finals, so I accomplished my goal," she said. "I didn’t
have my best time, but I’m still happy with my place."
Gardner missed qualifying for the finals of the 100, despite running a personal-best time of 11.88 in
Friday’s semifinals. She also qualified for state in the 100 last year.