Defiance's Born settles for second in pole vault

Defending state champ Ryan Fleck of Napoleon finished in a disappointing three-way tie for seventh yesterday at six feet in the Division II boys high jump at Ohio State University.

Defending state champ Ryan Fleck of Napoleon finished in a disappointing three-way tie for seventh yesterday at six feet in the Division II boys high jump at Ohio State University.

COLUMBUS - Pole vaulter Katy Born journeyed to the Division II state track meet a year ago satisfied with just being among the the qualifiers.

The Defiance senior returned to Ohio State University's Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium yesterday seeking more than congratulatory pats on the back. However, Gnadenhutten's Kayla Caldwell had her own thoughts and went on to win the event by clearing a state-meet record height of 12 feet, 4 inches.

Born, who will continue competing in track next fall at the University of Toledo, settled for a runner-up performance after equaling a career-best 11-4.

"I thought I'd be in the top four if I jumped my best, so getting second place is good," said Born, who placed sixth a year ago.

Born cleared her best height of the day on her first attempt but couldn't navigate her next height. She bowed out after unsuccessful tries at 11-8.

"On my first attempt [at 11-8] I was so close that I could taste it," Born said. "I'm glad I lost to her [Caldwell] if I was going to lose to anyone because she's a nice person."

Heavy rainfall and lightning led to a 30-minute delay of the Division II field events. The quick downpour seemed to have an effect on the high jump. Defending state high jump champion Ryan Fleck of Napoleon, who has cleared 6-feet, 10 inches this season, ended up finishing in a three-way tie for seventh at six feet. Eastwood's Josh Hoodlebrink struggled and was one of five to no-height during the competition.

"I know coming in to state South Point's Quay Logan needed only to clear 6-5 to become the 2007 champ.

Wauseon s Kyle Borton tossed the shot 55 feet to place sixth in the Division II track meet.

Fleck, who won a year ago with an effort of 6-8, didn't show up at the awards stand when the top finishers received medals.

Bellevue's Lee Miller set a school record while winning the pole vault with an effort of 16 feet. Will Sumser finished third (15-0) to give Bellevue two of the top three spots.

Rossford's Rachel Clay pushed her way in the 400 finals after racing to second place in her preliminary heat with a time of 57.82.

Napoleon's Chelsea Gerken placed fifth (18-33/4) in the long jump and teammate Kendall Homan finished seventh (17-9).

"This is really good because we've pushed each other all year," said Gerken, a senior.

Homan, a freshman, followed Gerken's lead yesterday.

"She's pushed me all year and I've just tried to catch up with her," Homan said.

Wauseon's Kyle Borton heaved a throw of 55 feet to take sixth in the shot put.

Ottawa-Glandorf's Jenna Ellerbrock, Jayme Bockrath, Emily Heitmeyer and Allison Scroeder posted a time of 3:59.24 in a 1600 preliminary heat to earn a place in the finals. Schroeder also qualified for the 300 hurdles, along with Oak Harbor's Erica Lipstraw.

Schroeder ran second (44.97) in her heat while Lipstraw finished third (45.34).

Clyde's Meghan Gill placed fourth (5-5) in the girls high jump while Eastwood's Hoodlebrink placed fourth (21-10) in the boys high jump.

Eastwood's Jack Schemenauer qaulified for the 110 (15.01) and 300 hurdles finals.

Napoleon's Marlea Rolander and Jenna Lauf qualified for the 100 hurdles after finishing second (15.79) and third (15.82), respectively, in their heat.

In Division III, Mohawk's Kari Weimerskirch found her way into the 100 hurdles finals by winning her preliminary in 15.35. She also qualified for the 300 hurdles at 46.38.

Archbold's Autumn Lantz is running in the 100 finals after finishing fourth (12.99) in her heat. Ottawa Hills' Katherine

Jamieson earned a spot in the 200 finals with a third (26.09).

Columbus Grove's Jaimie Lewis in the 400 final after finishing third (58.39) in her race. Teammates Paige Heffner, Ella Diller, Amanda Schroeder and Jaime Lewis ran a 4:04.59 to take fourth in their 1600 relay heat.

Liberty-Benton's Kerry Cramner, Ryan Cook, Michael Busch and Chris Magee were good enough to win their 400 relay (43.62), which included a fourth-place finish from Tinora (44.05).

Patrick Henry's Greg Flowers, Zack Bonner, Kyle Brubaker and Nick Powers turned in the second-fastest qualifying time for the 800 relay when they finished first (1:30.89) in their heat. Tinora's Lyndon Benecke, Corey Herendeen, Logan Feffer and Richie Hughes placed second

(1:31.49) in their heat.

Elmwood's Curtis Smithey is in the 400 finals after running third (49.44).

Liberty-Benton's Michael Busch (39.88) and Columbus Grove's Heath Nickles (40.04) made it into the 300 hurdles finals.

Contact Donald Emmons at:

demmons@theblade.com

or 419-724-6302.