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Tarr’s hard work pays off

COLUMBUS — It took South Range senior Cameron Tarr one year to improve his best time in the 800-meter run by 15 seconds and get on the podium at the state track meet.

“I worked harder every day,” he said. “I didn’t want to have a disappointing season like last year. I gave it my all every day.”

Tarr placed seventh in the Division II 800 finals in a school-record time of 1 minute, 55.45 seconds at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

“I wanted to get out fast,” he said. “I was eager today. In order to place well here, you have to start well.”

He was in third or fourth place most of the race.

“There’s not a lot of time ton make it up,” he said. “You’re going all out the whole race. That’s what I did.”

He was fifth before getting passed by two runners at the finish, still good enough to get a spot on the podium. And he bested Jim Kusiowski’s school-record of 1:57.13 set during a fifth-place finish at the 2003 Division III state meet.

“It felt great,” Tarr said. “It is one of the best experiences I’ve ever had.”

Heath senior Chandler Wilhelm won the state title in 1:52.33.

While Tarr was standing on the podium, the South Range baseball team was winning its first state title down the street. The South Range state qualifiers watched the baseball team’s state semifinal game Thursday night in Columbus.

“We didn’t think our baseball team would go as far as they did,” Tarr said. “It was great seeing them in the championship.”

No one thought the same about Tarr this season, where his career ended on the podium.

He is planning on continuing his studies at Youngstown State or Ohio State.

“I’m going to be a little more focused on school,” he said.

In the running

¯ Salem senior Haley Rozeski and Minerva junior Sara Carver were the area’s first at-large state qualifiers, both in the Division II girls 800 run.

Rozeski was 10th (2:17.79) and Carver 12th (2:21.09). Poland freshman Jackie Grisdale finished in fifth place (2:16.92).

¯ Salem sophomore Hunter Christopher was 11th in the Division II boys 3200 run (9:50.44).

¯ In the Division II girls 3200 run, Minerva senior Mackenzie Scott was 11th (11:30.48).

¯ In the Division II boys 1600 run, Minerva junior Joey Stafford was 14th (4:39.54) and South Range senior Ian Pierson was 15th (4:39.54).

In the field

¯ Salem junior Turner Johnson finish in a four-way tie for 11th in the Division II boys high jump. Johnson made his first jump at 6-foot-0 and went out at 6-2.

¯ Salem junior Cooper Stockman 12th in the Division II boys discus with a toss of 136-feet-6. It came on his first attempt and he followed with throws of 132-10 and 131-7.

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