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Better late than never for West Branch

AUSTINTOWN — The West Branch boys 800-meter relay team had a delayed celebration Saturday.

The Warriors jumped from sixth place to fourth after the red flags flew to capture the final state berth at the Austintown Division II regional.

“Our coach said on the way here anything can happen and it did,” freshman anchor David McKeiver said.

Juniors Griffin Lough and Logan Caserta, sophomore Cohen Lamp and McKeiver ran a season-best time of 1 minute, 32.36 seconds to advance.

“Our handoffs were a little sketchy and we can improve on those,” McKeiver said.

Three relay teams were disqualified — Poland, Northwest and Warrensville Heights — leaving only five vying for the four state berths. McKeiver said they had to wait 10 minutes before the final results were posted.

“Everyone is amazed and happy for us,” he said.

The Warriors will be running in the state semifinals at 2:40 p.m. Friday in Columbus.

“We have all underclassmen,” McKeiver said. “That’s good for us.”

Meet notes

¯ McKeiver was eighth in the 200 dash (a personal-best 22.71 seconds).

He was disappointed after coming up short in the long jump Thursday with a seventh-place finish.

“I was somewhat,” McKeiver said. “I am a freshman and I was glad I qualified at least once.”

¯ West Branch junior Jeff Joseph was fifth in the boys 1600 run (4:30.72).

¯ West Branch sophomore Carly Scarpitti was seventh in the girls 300 hurdles (s (a personal-best 47.82).

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