By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

In the world of rankings, 10 out of 10 is perfection.

In the world of track and field, 12 out of 12 is Conner Hunt.

The Garfield G-Men senior has competed in 12 events at the OHSAA state championships during his high-school career, and he has crossed the finish line in first place in every single one of them.

Hunt was at it again on Saturday, winning the seated 100, 400 and 800.

And he did it in style, setting stadium records in all three events.

Hunt won the seated 100 in 16.35, the 400 in 53.69 and the 800 in 1:54.85.

Hunt will continue his track and field career at the University of Cincinnati. 

ROCKET RUNNING

The Streetsboro boys 4×200 relay team sprinted their way to a Division III state championship on Saturday!

The quartet of senior Jayron Chester, senior Braden Hodge, sophomore Isaiah Henderson and senior Ethan Laryea bested the field in a time of 1:26.69.

The time was not only the best of the best today, but it is also the fastest time in the history of Portage County track and field.

Previously, the 2015 relay team of Myron Jones, Dakari Carter, Prince Franklin and KeShun Jones had the county record at 1:27.65.

WHEELER TAKES TOP SPOT

Southeast High School Julia Wheeler has been first to the finish line all season long and Thursday she did it again.

This time, the prize was the state championship.

Wheeler bested the Division IV field in the 3,200 meters, completing the race in a time of 10:46.87.

Wheeler is the fifth Southeast girls track and field standout to capture an individual state championship. She joins an illustrious list that includes:

   • Tonja Stewart, 800 meters, 1984

   • Michele Wells, high jump, 1992

   • Nikki Murphy, shot put, 2008

   • Jenna Fesemyer, seated 100, seated 400, seated 800, seated shot put, 2013, 2014 and 2015 (12 total state championships)

Additionally, the Pirates’ 4×800 relay team in both 1985 (Julie Dias, Amy Neely, Sue Conway, Joanna Dias) and 1986 (Julie Dias, Amy Neely, Sue Conway, Joanna Dias) won state championships. And the 1984 and 1985 teams both won team state titles.

Portage Sports is working on a track and field state championships notebook that will publish later this week. Be ready!