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Two routes, one goal

MASSILLON — East Palestine’s two state track qualifiers took different routes to get there.

Junior Alexis Cunningham is one of the area’s top girls distance runners, while senior quarter-miler Jacob Pancake is making a strong late-season run.

Both had state-qualifying finishes in the Division III regional meet at Massillon Perry High School on Friday.

Cunningham was third in the 1600-meter run (5:12.05).

“I looked up the results with my coach and it looked like I had a pretty good shot in the 1600,” Cunningham said. “I went out with Malina (Mitchell) and she took me there.”

Pancake, who finished fourth in the 400-meter dash at the Springfield district, placed fourth at the regional in a personal-best 51.00 seconds.

“I’ve been dreaming of it,” he said. “My dream is to get in the 49s.”

The top four in each event advance to the state meet in Columbus next Friday and Saturday.

It’s just the second season of track for Pancake, an East Palestine resident who spent the last two years as an open enrollment at Beaver Local. He was a wide receiver and defensive back for the Beaver Local football team last fall.

“Last year in football, my coach sent me to track form to help with my speed,” Pancake said. “That’s when I started competing in track.”

He soon caught the bug and has improved steadily this season after posting a best time of 56 seconds last year.

“Last year I was an alternate for Beaver Local at regionals,” Pancake said. “Robbie Johnston was my teammate and he inspired me to do this. He said it’s a mindset. I set my mind to do this.”

Mineral Ridge junior Jarred Miller finished first (50.39) and McDonald senior Hayden Sloan was third (50.53).

Cunningham was fifth at regionals in the 800 run last year and wasn’t going to end up short of state again.

“I took a week off and began training in cross country to get to the state meet,” she said. “It worked out.”

Cunningham finished behind Louisville St. Thomas Aquinas senior Kalee Soenhlen (5:05.66) and McDonald junior Malina Mitchell (5:09.48).

“It helps a lot (running against Mitchell during the regular season),” Cunningham said. “Before the qualifying meets, it motivates me to get going with her.”

Cunningham dropped to ninth in the 800 run (2:24.65).

“I was trying to get the last spot, but things happen,” Cunningham said.

She didn’t have anything left and did not run in the 3200 finals. She’ll be able to give her all in last race of the season next Saturday.

“I’ll probably try to get on the podium,” Cunningham said. “That would be great.”

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