For some it marked the end of what has been a long and grueling combined spring/summer season while for others it signaled official closure to their high school track and field careers. Whatever the case may be, those who made the trip out to the Pacific Northwest for The Outdoor Nationals were presented with another chance to measure themselves against elite caliber opposition.
No shortage of Ohio's own elected to capitalize on the opportunity and following the four day meet at historic Hayward Field in Eugene, a healthy dose of All-America hardware accompanied our state-side athletes back to the homeland.
Coverage -
* All-American distinction = Top 6 placements in Championship Division competition *
Sean Carney / Hilliard Darby
Representing the Panthers Track Club, Carney clocked 9:08.11 over the full 2 mile distance for 6th place overall. For context relating to the frequently contested 3200 meter race during the OHSAA campaign, his mark converts to 9:04.93, according to MileSplit's conversion calculator.
Carney, the 5th place 3200m finisher at the Division I state meet, has maintained a busy schedule since the high school season concluded. Aside from his most recent outing, he racked up a new PR in the 1 mile event (4:11.62) last month at the Take Flight Distance Classic.
Next stop for the Hilliard-based Carney will be nearby Columbus, where he'll represent Ohio State beginning with the fall cross country season.
Malachi Collier / Maple Heights
Collier, the rising junior from Maple Heights, secured 3rd place overall in the long jump with his 23-9.75 mark. His latest performance complements a stellar 2021 calendar year that's seen him capture the OATCCC Division I state title (22-11) and set an incredible career best of 24-3 at OHSAA District Nordonia in his marquee event.
Annika Kinley / Lakota West
In arguably the closest battle observed during the 4-day stretch, Kinley took 3rd in the high jump with her successful 5-8.5 (1.74m) clearance. Interestingly, competitors 1, 2, 4 and 5 in the final standings also maxed out at this same height. Her leap at Hayward represents a career best for the recent Lakota West grad.
Kinley, who's University of Cincinnati bound, wrapped up a spring/summer of competition where she collected nine HJ event wins in a dozen outings. She was the Division I state runner-up in 2021, both indoors and outdoors.
Kenna Stimmel / Margaretta
Stimmel vaulted 13-8.25 to place 3rd overall in the competition, trailing only champion Hana Moll (14-4) and runner-up Allison Neiders (14-0), who both hail from the state of Washington.
It remains to be seen if Stimmel's schedule has concluded or not, as the past two years she's found pole vaulting opportunities deep into the summer in New Jersey and Michigan. If it has, however, she'll have finished up on a high note. To this point in the 2021 outdoor circuit, the OHSAA Division III (and overall) state record holder has come away victorious in twelve of her thirteen contests.
Conner McClure / Green
Facing off against the nation's best pole vaulters, McClure, a Green High School grad, successfully cleared 16-0 (4.88m) to claim fourth place in the standings. Barring any further summer starts, McClure has wrapped up his prep career with a host of impressive distinctions, including adidas Indoor Nationals champion and OHSAA Division I state record holder (17-3).
Wayne Warriors
(Image courtesy of @TrackWayne)
The formidable Wayne Warriors relay squads came away with a pair of high placements in Eugene. In 4x100m competition, the Huber Heights-based club went 47.99 for 3rd place. Team members consisted of: Sanai Lynch, Gianna Cameron, Jordan Hampton and Jasmine Kennerson.
The aforementioned Kennerson, Cameron, Hampton along with Shamaria Davis teamed up in the 4x200 and took 6th place with their 1:44.39 mark.
Abraham Goldslager / Hudson
Goldslager recorded a 15:55.25 mark for 3rd place in the 3000m race walk event. A mainstay on the Explorers cross country and distance track teams over the past few years, this was just the second time that Goldslager has lined up for race walk competition. His inaugural attempt was at the 2020 VA Showcase, where he went 8:42.96 for a runner-up finish over the 1 mile distance.