Salem's Lucas Adams tries to make 6 feet, 5 inches in the Div. III high jump on Saturday at the state track and field meet in Columbus. (Photo by Ron Firth)

COLUMBUS — Beaver Local junior Landon Wheatley and Salem senior Lucas Adams opened the season battling it out at the F.E. Cope Invitational and ended the season on the podium at the state track and field meet.

Both cleared 6-foot-4 on their first attempts as Wheatley placed seventh and Adams eighth in the Division III boys long jump on Saturday morning.

“It’s always nice jumping with Lucas,” Wheatley said. “We know what each other can do and want to match that. We want to beat each other, in a friendly sort of way.”

Adams was back a few hours after placing fourth in an epic long jump competition hours earlier on Friday night.

“I had an amazing weekend here,” Adams said. “I tried to make it something to remember.”

Wheatley cleared 6-0, 6-2 and 6-4 on his first attempts.

He got sixth last year, also getting over 6-4.

“After winning it indoor, I was hoping to do better,” Wheatley said. “It’s a lot tougher this year.”

The top three jumpers all posted personal bests.

Orrville senior Mark Lorson won with a jump of 6-foot-9, the fifth best in Ohio this season.

Springfield Northwestern junior Brylan Prker was second (6-7) and Wheelersburg senior Kenyon Evans was third (6-6).

“There’s only a few I didn’t know,” Wheatley said. “It’s a good relationship.”

Adams was right there with him again.

“I’m a little disappointed,” Adams said. “I got over 6-4 again. I cleared 6-5, but hit it on the way down.”

Wheatley will begin his training for next season.

“I’m going to get back to work,” he said. “Try to continue to improve and only worry about what I cane do. I’m looking at improving my mark to 6-11 or 7-0.”

Meet notes

• Salem senior Hunter Owen was 11th in the Division III boys shot put with a toss of 51-feet-5 1/2 on his third and final attempt Saturday.

Springfield Northwestern junior Crew Estep won at 59-0 1/2.

Youngstown Ursuline Connor Crilley was third with a personal-best 58-0 1/4.

• Salem senior Karlie Sampson was 17th in the Division III girls long jump Saturday.

She leaped 15-11 1/4 on her second attempt and fouled in the other two.

Shelby senior Madison Henkel had a winning jump of 19-feet-11 1/2, setting meet and Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium records.

The Coastal Carolina recruit had five jumps over 19 feet and all six of her attempts were the best in the field.

Eight jumpers went over 17 feet.

• Adams was part a long jump competition that will be talked for a long time.

Cleveland Glenville senior Jay’vier Kerr was first (24-6) and Wheelersburg senior Keyon Evans was second (24-1 1/2). Those are the top two marks in Ohio this season. Kerr had four jumps over 24 feet.

“I honestly don’t think a 24 footer was ever beaten her for a state lone jump title,” Adams said.

“That’s the deepest long jump field we’ll see in a while.”

Adams had the top two jumps in Salem history at 23-4 and 23-2 1/4.

• Wheatley also ran in the 300-meter hurdles on Friday, but did not advance.

“I don’t think I ran 300s in that hot of weather,” Wheatley said. “It was a lesson learned.”

He’s already got a new game plan for such an occasion next season.

“I learned how to prepare myself,” he said.

Next time, Wheatley said he will warm up less and eat more carbohydrates the day before.

• Adams isn’t sure what his future holds. It doesn’t sound like it will be at college.

“I like the athletic part, not the scholastic part,” he said.

• Wheatley did not play basketball last season to focus on indoor track and field and said he will do so again his senior season.

Salem’s Lucas Adams and Beaver Local’s Landon Wheatley prepare for Div. III state high jump competition on Saturday in Columbus. (Photo by Ron Firth)

Salem’s Lucas Adams and Beaver Local’s Landon Wheatley prepare for Div. III state high jump competition on Saturday in Columbus. (Photo by Ron Firth)

Salem’s Lucas Adams and coach Wanda Yerkey share a moment on Saturday at the Div. III high jump competition at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium in Columbus. (Photo by Ron Firth)