Heartland Christian's Claire Liposky poses with the scoreboard after winning the Div. V state discus title on Friday at the state track meet at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium in Columbus. (Photo by Ron Firth)

COLUMBUS — Heartland Christian sophomore Claire Liposky knew her best would be good enough.

Liposky unleashed her best two throws ever and won the Division V discus state championship – the first state track title in school history.

“It was fun winning, but it wasn’t the main thing,” she said. “I just had to do my best, if I don’t win, I don’t win.

But she did.

After a foul, she had throws of 132-7, 143-1 and 144-6.

“I was very excited. I was overthinking at first,” she said. “I tried to throw it far. I calmed down.

“You have to trust your training,” she said. “If you try to throw far, you mess it up.”

Liposky’s winning throw is the sixth-best in Ohio this season.

“I was just trying to PR and do my best.” she said. “I did it twice.”

It was a loaded field with the top five all posting personal best.

Bellaire senior Alyson Vingia was second (143-11), Van Buren senior Easton Wymer was third (143-3), McDonald senior Emma Bundy was fourth (142-1) and Arcadia sophomore Shia Watkins was fifth (139-1).

“I have more in me,” Liposky said. “I can’t wait until next year.

“It’s going to seem like a long time, but I throw all winter.”

Another medal

Heartland Christian senior Rebecca Geiss raced to a sixth-place finish in the 1600 run after placing four years in the 3200 run.

Her time was 5 minutes, 11.51 seconds.

“It’s hard because I know I can run faster than that,” she said. “It’s hard to be disappointed when I’ve been here four years.”

What will she remember the most from her high school career?

“My family and teammates and how they supported me,” she said.

Meet notes

• After winning a gold medal, Liposky’s next prize will be showing rabbits and chickens at the Columbiana County Fair.

• Her famliy lives not far from Crestview High School.

Her mother, the former Shannon Simmons, played on Crestview’s first two state semifinal teams in 1995 and 1997.

• Liposky said she practices mainly at Salem’s Sebo Stadium.

“It’s close and I like the ring,” she said.

She stopped at a high school Thursday on the way to Columbus for practice.

• Liposky didn’t come close to state last year as a freshman.

She said she went to Disney in Florida, got sick when she got back and stayed up late studying after getting behind in her school work.

“At district I couldn’t break 100,” she said.

• Liposky said Geiss’ school records will be safe.

“I don’t run,” she said. “I’m good with throwing.”