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Quakers come through when it counts

AUSTINTOWN — Salem senior Connor McKee has been one of the Quakers’ fastest sprinters and biggest surprises.

McKee joined senior Lex Murray, junior Quinlan Rumsey and sophomore Turner Johnson on two Salem relay teams that advanced out the Austintown Division II regional meet Saturday afternoon.

“I wasn’t even going to run track this year,” McKee said. “Last year I ran the 400 and did pretty well. I was lifting, trying to get stronger. Quinlan’s dad said I should run since I was already putting in all the work.”

Next Friday he’ll be running at the state track meet at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium on the campus of Ohio State University.

“I’ve never been to state, so this is awesome,” McKee said.

The Quakers were fourth in the 800-meter relay in a season-best time of 1 minute, 30.81 seconds.

They finished the day by placing second in the 1600-meter relay in 3:22.99, the best time in the area in three seasons.

The Quakers led the 1600 relay at Falcon Stadium most of the race until defending state champion Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary rallied to win in 3:21.72.

“We ran a good race today,” Johnson said. “It’s a great feeling.”

“We get to race against them in Columbus next week.”

West Branch also advanced in the 1600 relay as seniors Landon Burns, Ethan Griffith and Rob Lozier and junior Carson Gossett were fourth in a season-best 3:26.39.

“It’s always fun when we can beat them,” Johnson said.

Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary added another win in the 800 relay in 1:27.56, faster than their state championship time last year.

It looked like the Quakers were going to finish fifth, but Streetsboro (which was fifth at state last year) was disqualified for a handoff after the first exchange zone.

“It was insane,” McKee said. “I didn’t we were going to make it. Then we found out Streetsboro got DQ’d.”

The Quakers will have three relay teams at state after the 3200 relay team of Rumsey, Josh Andrews, Jackson Corbisello and Trey Double advanced on Thursday.

Meet notes

-Salem sophomore Trey Double was eighth in the boys 800 run (4:36.59).

¯In the girls long jump, Salem senior Mary Double was seventh (16-0 1/4) and South Range senior Adrianna DLucia was 12th (15-1 3/4).

¯Johnson had a busy day as he was ninth in the high jump (6-0). Salem senior Jon Gerace was 12th (5-10).

¯ Salem freshman Hunter Christopher tripped and fell midway through the boys 3200 run. He climbed back into 10th and finished 12th (10:28.97).

¯ The only area girls runners in Saturday’s meet, South Range senior Xena Maali was ninth in the girls 1600 run (5:31.87) and Salem sophomore Haley Rozeski was 13th (5:43.90).

¯ Streetsboro senior Dakari Carter is ready to make a run at a fourth state title in the 100-meter dash. Carter, a University of Toledo football recruit, won the regional title in 10.67 seconds.

¯ Saturday’s regional finals were run on a time schedule. In honor of Memorial Day, the official clock on the scoreboard was displayed in military time.

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