Salem’s Angie Hoffaker leans back before a long jump attempt on Thursday during the Columbiana County Track and Field Meet at Sebo Stadium. (Photo by Gary Leininger)

SALEM — Freshman Chaya Murray and the Salem girls track team put on a show at the Columbiana County Track and Field Meet Thursday.

“I know these girls are talented and what they can do,” Salem girls coach Ted Yuhaniak said. “I feel if you can win county event, you can go to state.”

Murray was a four-time winner and set three meet records in leading the Quakers to a ninth straight county title.

The Quakers scored 183 points, the third-highest total in the 49 years of the girls title meet. They have scored at least 174 points in six straight county meets.

“They did what they wanted to do,” Yuhaniak said. “I’m very pleased with how they performed.”

Beaver Local matched its best county finish by placing second with 82 points.

“The big message on the board is enjoy going to compete,” Yuhaniak said.

Salem won nine events, but the four with Murray in it drew the most attention. All of her teammates congratulated her.

“They were all really happy for me,” she said. “I did more than I thought.”

Murray started by winning the 100-meter dash in 12.20 seconds, which was not allowed as a meet record because it was wind-aided. She later won the 200 dash by more than two seconds in 24.85 seconds, breaking the meet record and her school record.

She also ran the anchor on two record-setting relay teams. She joined Angie Hoffaker, Karlie Sampson and Abby Knickerbocker on the winning 400 relay (50.49) and 800 relay (1:45.88).

“She’s a gifted kid and is willing to do anything for the team,” Yuhaniak said. “She works so hard and is so talented.”

The Quakers scored 58 points in the four field events to put them on their way.

Junior Madolyn Gorby won her third straight county high jump title (4-2) and senior Karlie Sampson won the long jump (16-10 3/4).

“I don’t think the field events give themselves enough credit,” Yuhaniak said. “In those four events, they are so good.”

To show their strength, the Quakers competed in only the field events at the Optimist Meet on Saturday and still finished third in the team standings.

Salem freshman Addison Hopple also won the 800 run (2:26.93).

The Quakers swept the relays with Abby Knickerbocker, Laura Hovorka, Addison Hopple and Sarah Sinsley in the 1600 relay (4:21.63) and Emily Sinsley, Sarah Sinsley, Liliana Pimentel Alexander and Cassidy Wallace in the 3200 relay (10:31.88).

“We all did really well,” Murray said.

The Quakers do well in all of Murray’s events.

“The hurdles is something new I’ve been trying,” she said. “I believe I’m going to race them one more time.”

“The long jump is her favorite,” Yuhaniak said.

Now the Quakers have to decide what events Murray will compete in at districts.

“That’s a tough thing,” Yuhaniak said. “It’s a good problem.”

“I’m just hoping to improve and hoping the team can improve,” Murray said.

Meet notes

¯ Heartland Christian senior Rebecca Geiss had a full day with wins in the 1600 run (a meet-record 5:09.34) and 3200 run (11:46.23) along with a second place in the 800 run (2:27.59). Her only other county track title was in the 1600 run as a freshman.

The Lions are done with the regular season and will be figuring out what events to enter Geiss for districts.

The district schedule changed this season and the 3200 run will be run as a final on the opening day of each district meet, so that opens new options.

¯ Beaver Local’s Gilson sisters — junior Ralyn and freshman Braylee– had a family reunion at the finish line. They finished one-two (16.50 and 16.90) in the 100 hurdles. Ralyn also was second in the 300 hurdles, while Braylee took fourth.

¯ Southern senior Maddy Jones repeated in the shot put (38-10 1/2), while Heartland Christian sophomore Claire Liposky won the discus (133-10).

Liposky added a throw of 131-4 and 119-11, giving her the top three throws in the competion.

¯ Columbiana junior Camille Jeffries was first in the 300 hurdles (48.22).

¯ Beaver Local junior Mallory Miller was the two-time county champion in the 200 dash and defending champion in the 100 dash before Murray arrived. Miller was second in both dashes Thursday.

¯ Southern junior Kiah Sloan was sitting out the season due to a ACL surgery following volleyball season, but she returned after being medically cleared on Monday.

“Surprise,” she said after running in the slow heat of the 100 dash Thursday.

With one day of practice, Sloan finished 11th in the 100 dash (14.28) at the OVAC Meet on Wednesday and 11th (14.10) at the county meet on Thursday, just missing her goal of under 14 seconds.

She won the county long jump last year and finished as runner-up in the 100 and 200 dashes.

Sloan will continue to run the 100 and is not expected to long jump until next season.