Regional track: Bowsher's Graham in gear

Libbey's Danyelle McGary wins the 100-meter dash at the regional ahead of Darcell Formby of Cleveland Rhodes.

AMHERST, Ohio - Bowsher freshman Meshawn Graham ran with a chip on her shoulder yesterday during the Division I regional track meet.

It didn't slow her down. It provided additional pep in her steps.

A week after finishing runner-up in the 200 and 400-meter races behind Libbey's Danyelle McGary, Graham fed off last week's disappointments to claim victories.

Graham swept the two races with times of 24.96 and 55.28, respectively, and ran a strong anchor leg to carry the Rebels' 1600 relay team to victory with a season-best time of 3:56.89.

The Rebels were sitting in sixth place when Graham received the baton during the 1600 relay. She finished off her day by passing up the pack and crossing the finish line 10 meters ahead of everyone else. Maura Carroll, Tasha Banks, and Alyssa Martinez also ran on the relay.

"I had to redeem myself, as far as last week," said Graham, referring to her second-place

efforts at the district.

Bowsher coach Mark Coe commended Graham for her performance, which sparked the Rebels to a third-place finish in the team standings with 33 points. Bowsher finished behind Cleveland Rhodes (55) and Avon Lake (35).

"You couldn't have written a better script for her," Coe said. "I think she had something to prove, especially after districts. She wanted to prove she was ready to go."

Bowling Green's Christy Titus successfully repeated as the 3200 champion by recording a time of 11:06.71. She also placed fourth in the 1600 (5:06.22) to qualify for state (the top four in each event advanced).

"I'm just happy to be going back to state," Titus said.

McGary wasn't completely shut out from celebrating victory. She claimed victory in the 100 with a time of 12.30 before running to second place in the 200 (25.12) and 400 (56.26).

Maumee's Lauren O'Brien will join McGary at state in the 100 after she clocked a personal-best time of 12.58, which was good for third place.

"It's amazing," said O'Brien, a junior. "I had a good feeling I'd place well."

Central Catholic freshman Sharise Calhoun and Whitmer freshman Courtney Siebenellar advanced to state after finishing first and second, respectively, in the 300 hurdles with times of 44.76 and 45.38, respectively.

"I think I had more ambition this week," said Calhoun, who finished second behind Siebenellar at the district. "I

really wanted to win."

Siebenellar also placed third in the 100 hurdles (15.26). Calhoun finished sixth (15.43).

Perrysburg's Liz Allen placed second in the long jump with a personal best of 17-1 1/4.

"This is awesome," Allen said. "I get to continue on with my season even longer. I hope to go there and do the best that I can."

Maumee's Cory Huber finished second in the 100 hurdles with a personal-best time of 15.01.

"I felt pretty confident," Huber said. "I wanted to win it, but I got second. I was the first one out of the blocks."

Northview's Lisa Johnson took the high jump with a leap of 5-7.

Northview's Nikki Klahn, who helped the Wildcats finish fourth, had a third-place effort in the 400 (57.64).

Two days after winning the shot put with a distance of 41-1 3/4, Southview's Bahiyjaui Allen also secured a spot at state in the discus by finishing third with a throw of 117-0.

Anthony Wayne and St. Ursula placed second and third behind Bowsher in the 1600 relay. Anthony Wayne posted a time of 3:58.82 while St. Ursula came through at 3:59.08.

Contact Donald Emmons at: demmons@theblade.com or 419-724-6302.