East Liverpool's Maddox Roach smiles after he finished third in the Div. III 1600-meter run on Saturday in Columbus. (Photo by Ron Firth)

COLUMBUS — East Liverpool senior Maddox Roach was standing at the top of the podium after the Division III 800-meter run Saturday night at the state track meet.

“I had a dream Wednesday night I was going to win,” Roach said. “I didn’t though.”

Roach finished third for his second straight podium finish in the event.

While the other finishers sat on the podium, Roach stood tall above them just like in his dream.

“I felt I had a lot of people watching me and I let them down,” he said. “I wanted to be on top of the podium looking down.”

After coming in with the top time, Roach finished third in a time of 4 minutes, 14.67 seconds — a little more than a second off his best time.

“Coming off the turn with about 100 meters left, I thought I had it” Roach said. “I started my kick too late.”

Roach’s last lap 59.08 was the second-best lap of the field. The only problem was the best lap was by Woodridge senior Ben Lebay in 59.08 seconds on the final lap.

“I made a mistake I won’t make again,” Roach said.

Lebay had a winning time of 4:13.50. West Geauga junior Ian Res was second in 4:14.30. Ten runners went under 4:20.

Roach, who finished seventh last year, managed a smile for the cameras on the podium.

“I won’t be back next year to win,” he said.

Meet notes

• Beaver Local junior Luke Warrick was 12th in the Division III boys 800-meter run (1:56.50).

Bethel senior Kade Schweikhardt won in a personal-best 1:51.69. Lebay, coming off a state title in the 1600, finished 14th (1:57.17).

• The Division III finals were run on Saturday night after two weather delays. Roach still wore his sunglasses.

“My friend, Grace, gave them to me,” he said. “I went undefeated with them all season until this race.”

• Roach is headed to Youngstown State University and will join the Penguins track team.

• Girard sophomore Braxton Sloan was eighth in the Division III 400 dash (49.58 seconds).

He set the Southern Local school record and finished 18th at state.