Eastwood long jumper Kevin Lewis. (Photo by Danielle DeFalco)
PEMBERVILLE — Eastwood throwers Braden Bowdle and Elden Slack have been through this drill before.
One year ago, at Eastwood’s Larry Kohring Relays, Eastwood took first place in the discus relay as Emmet Getz threw 139 feet, four inches, Bowdle hit 124-8 and Slack threw 108-4. For Getz and Bowdle, they were personal records.
Last year it was cold and windy, this year it was cold and rainy, and Getz has since graduated. However, Slack and Bowdle returned to lead Eastwood to another discus relay championship Friday at Jerry Rutherford Stadium.
Bowdle threw 135-3, which was the most of any individual competitor, Slack threw 112-1, and you can throw in newcomer Haunter Lauer, who threw 118-6. All three marks were PRs.
Lauer says he first began working out with his fellow throwers during the football season, and now track has brought them even closer as friends and teammates. It paid off, despite the rain, which was heavy at the meet’s onset.
“It was a bit wet out,” Lauer said. “We’ve been working real hard during practice the past few days and few weeks and we’ve really thrown a lot.
“We’ve each gained about 10 feet over the last few weeks and that really helped us, too, in getting the win today.”
Steck added, “It took a lot of effort. Practice yesterday was a little rough. We were not on our ‘A’ game, but we brought it today and we were able to pull it together, and we all PR’d and we were able to pull it off.”
Bowdle says “effort in practice” is why keeps their distances keep increasing, but adds that the instruction they get from Eastwood’s throwing coaches is a major factor. As far as the rain, no big deal, Bowdle says.
“Today it felt really good,” Bowdle said. “It wasn’t the best weather today, but it really didn’t affect us.
“We always throw in the rain and have good throws. All around, I was just trying to get out there and throw the farthest I can.”
The trio’s 10 points helped Eastwood score 61 to place fifth behind champion Findlay (99), runner-up Sylvania Southview (80½), Toledo Whitmer (75), and Liberty-Benton (64½).
Following the Eagles were Anthony Wayne (55½), Sylvania Northview (55), Sandusky Perkins (55), Napoleon (40), Bowling Green (38), Toledo Rogers (14), Cardinal Stritch (5) and Toledo Start (2).
In the long jump relay, the Eastwood team of Dayquan Oliver (19-11½), Kevin Lewis (19-8¼) and Bryce DeFalco (19-½) placed second behind Southview (19-11½, 19-8½, 19-5½).
“Dayquan and I have been solid the past few meets,” DeFalco said. “I really didn’t have my best performance this meet but it was alright because Kevin and Dayquan really stepped up and popped off 19-11.
“So, I’m real proud of them for still being able to pop off the jumps. Honestly, since I’ve been battling a hamstring injury and still being able to feel well, even though I’m not jumping well, I’m happy with that.”
Eastwood’s 4×400 mixed relay team (two boys, two girls) of Talia Baum, Lilly Mullholand, Andre Lewis and Oliver placed second, finishing in 3:58.97 to finish behind Napoleon (3:50.68).
Also placing second in one of the few individual events held was Bowling Green hurdler Kadin Shank, who finished the 300-meter hurdles in 39.88 seconds, a split second behind champion Ty Allen (39.72) of Whitmer.
