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Rebels have strength in numbers

COLUMBIANA — Rarely has Crestview entered the Ohio High School Athletic Association State Track and Field Meet positioned to make as much noise as this season.

When action gets under way Friday at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium in Columbus, the Rebels will boast one of the most loaded squads they’ve ever had with qualifiers in seven different events.

The boys 800- and 400-meter relay teams enter with some of the best times in Division III (first and third respectively), while senior Dominic Perry will be gunning for his second straight boys shot put title. In addition to being part of both relay teams, Crestview seniors Dylan Huff (200 dash, long jump) and Jayce Meredith (400 dash) will also be competing individually.

On the girls side, junior Sidney Rambo comes in with the second best throw in the girls Division II discus.

“I don’t think the school has ever had qualifiers in so many events, it’s awesome,” Crestview boys track coach Greg Woolman said. “It just shows you all the work and dedication these kids have into this program. It’s very well-deserved.”

After finishing sixth at state last season, the boys 800 relay team of Meredith, Huff, Ethan Powell and Brandon Yanssens blazes into Columbus with the best Division III time (1:28.27) by nearly two seconds.

“We all knew we were fast enough to get back to state, but I honestly never saw us coming in with this kind of time, it’s kind of mind-blowing to be that far ahead of everybody else,” Meredith said.

“When we ran a 1:31 in our first meet, I thought something special could happen,” Yanssens said. “We all have a lot of determination. If we have a lead we just want to keep pushing it.”

That same foursome will also be contenders in the 400 relay, where the Rebels’ time of 43.61 is bettered only by Liberty and Toledo Ottawa Hills. The Rebels are looking to improve on last season’s fourth-place finish in Columbus.

“We’re all really excited to get back, improving on last year definitely gave us a lot of motivation,” Powell said. “I think it’s really important this week that we make sure to slow down and put in a good week of practice before heading down there.”

The Rebels said having continuity between the two relay teams has factored greatly in their success.

“It works out perfectly because we’re all like brothers to each other, we’re always hanging out” Meredith said. “It’s awesome to have that kind of connection with your teammates.”

“We all like each other and we like to have fun,” Powell said. “I think that’s very important. It creates a bond that really helps us relax.”

Perry looks to repeat

The individual headliner for the Rebels is Perry, who enters this weekend as the favorite to defend his state shot put title with a regional throw of 58-feet-9 that ranks first in Division III. Perry’s top throw this season is a whopping 62-2. This will mark the senior’s third and final trip to Columbus.

“I’m going to make sure to just stop and take everything in,” Perry said. “It’s been a great experience to be able to go down there three years in a row and I want to go out there and give it my best effort.”

As a defending state champion, Perry has worn a bull’s-eye all season, but hasn’t wavered.

“It’s really hard to stay on top so you have to stay focused and motivated,” Perry said. “You look at what other people are doing and want to be the best out there.”

Woolman said Perry (who will be competing at Youngstown State next year) has left a legacy that will be tough to match.

“He’s the best thrower this county’s ever seen,” Woolman said. “It’s going to come a long time before someone touches some of the numbers he’s put up. Dominic has a tremendous work ethic and is always looking for any possible way to get better.”

Huff will be busy

The athleticism that allowed Huff to star as both a wide receiver and quarterback on the Crestview football team will be on display this weekend in Columbus when he competes in the 200 dash and the long jump as well as the 400 and 800 relays.

“Going into the district meet my goal was to get to state in all four of my events,” Huff said. “I’m pretty happy to have achieved that. To finish out my senior year like this is something special for me and my family. I just want to represent our community well.”

Huff was the runner-up in the 200 to state title contender Justin Wright from Wellsville in last week’s regional meet and was fourth in the long jump. Huff, who beat Wright in the 200 at the Columbiana County Meet this year, will get one last shot at him this weekend.

“It’s a bit of a rivalry, but at the end of the day, we’re pretty good friends,” Huff said. “I know he pushes me to get better and I hope I do the same for him.”

Rambo peaking at the right time

Rambo will be the only Crestview girl representing the Rebels in Columbus this weekend, but she comes in as a contender in the girls Division II discus with a regional throw of 137-3 that ranks second.

The only girl with a better throw than Rambo is the one she’s been chasing all season, Salem senior Caitlyn Marx.

Marx beat out Rambo for a regional title last week with a throw of 142-9. Rambo also finished second to Marx at the county and district meets.

“Caitlyn’s been my role model,” Rambo said. “She’s someone I really look up to and I’ve wanted to keep right on her tail all season.”

Coming into the season, Crestview girls track coach Tanja Simione knew Rambo was poised to make a leap forward, but was a little surprised at how fully everything has come together.

“I knew she was going to rise up to the next level, but it’s incredible how she’s peaking right now,” Simione said. “Everything is coming together for her. Her footwork is spot-on and she’s showing up every day to practice and throwing with confidence. I figured we’d be regional-bound for sure, but going to state is such a huge bonus, especially with the position she’s sitting in.”

Rambo will get one final chance to compete against Marx this weekend.

“It’s been a lot of fun throwing against Caitlyn,” Rambo said. “Ever since eighth grade I’ve wanted to throw like her, and this year I finally caught up a little bit.”

Simione believes Rambo is more than ready to handle the moment.

“I’m really proud of her composure and the way she’s handling everything,” Simione said. “I’m so excited to see her throw in Columbus because that part of her has really matured as far as handling the nerves and being composed.”

Notes

¯ If everything breaks right, the Crestview boys figure to have a shot at the Division III team title. The Rebels finished 11th last season.

“It wasn’t something I really considered until about halfway through the season when I was looking at some of the times,” Woolman said. “We have a chance. It’s going to be really cool to be in the hunt at the highest level, that’s what you dream for.”

“We’ve definitely talked about it with each other,” Huff said. “it’s something that we’re shooting for.”

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