By ROB HAMILTON

[email protected]

Through the first day of the Division III regional track meet, hosted by Fairfield Union High School, both the Northmor boys and Mount Gilead girls were tied for third place.

The 3200-meter finals were contested, as were several field events, while preliminary heats were held in most of the other running events.

The Northmor boys were able to boast a pair of state qualifiers on Wednesday, as Aaron Vitte tied for second in the pole vault by clearing 11’6” and Demetrius Johnson finished fourth in the long jump with an effort of 20’1.5”. The Knights also gained one point from their 3200-meter relay, as the quartet of Spencer Adams, James Walker, Kaleb Hart and Alec Moore finished eighth in 8:44.79. Also, Nathan Bird was 15th in the discus.

In preliminary heats, Johnson advanced to the finals of the 200, as did Collin Berg in the 300 hurdles and Kolton Smith in the 110s. Johnson also competed in the 100.

The Lady Indians advanced their 3200-meter relay team to the state meet after Micah James, Hannah Bush, Jenna Shipman and Darcy Picker won that race in 9:43.04. Savannah Randall competed in the high jump for MG.

In preliminary heats, Olivia Brewer moved to the finals in both the 100 and 200, as did Shipman in the 400. Also advancing was the 400-meter relay of Makaylee Elkin, Addison Chapman, Corrin Watts and Brewer; while the 800-meter team of Elkin, Chapman, Randall and Brewer also competed.

Mount Gilead’s boys also advanced their 3200-meter relay to state and got a number of other athletes into Friday’s finals. Kyle Ciballi, Nicholas Weiss, Casey White and Austin Hallabrin finished their relay in 8:09.62 to finish second in that race.

The 1600-meter relay of Brandon Stevens, Hallabrin, Ciballi and Deondre Cook advanced to the finals with the fastest qualifying time, while both the 400-meter relay of Stevens, Jonah Barnett, Dustin Fraizer and Cook and the 800-meter team of Cook, Barnett, Fraizer and Sawyer Shipman also moved on.

Shipman advanced in the 110- and 300-meter hurdles, as did Barnett in the 200 and Stevens in the 400. Barnett also ran in the prelim heats of the 100.

Both the Northmor and Cardington girls also competed on Wednesday. For Northmor, the 3200-meter relay team of Maria Lee, Reanne McDonald, Samantha Peters and Rachel Morrison placed 13th. Cardington’s Nadia Kerman was 12th in the shot put.

Rob Hamilton can be reached at 419-946-3010, ext. 1807. Connect with him on Twitter at @SportsMCS

Mount Gilead advanced to regionals in the 3200-meter relay by placing second. Nicholas Weiss is pictured running his leg of the event.

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/38/2016/05/web1_nicholasweiss.jpgMount Gilead advanced to regionals in the 3200-meter relay by placing second. Nicholas Weiss is pictured running his leg of the event. Rob Hamilton | Morrow County Sentinel

James Walker runs in the 3200-meter relay for Northmor.

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/38/2016/05/web1_jameswalker.jpgJames Walker runs in the 3200-meter relay for Northmor. Rob Hamilton | Morrow County Sentinel

Mount Gilead’s Olivia Brewer advanced to the finals of both the 100 and 200.

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/38/2016/05/web1_oliviabrewer.jpgMount Gilead’s Olivia Brewer advanced to the finals of both the 100 and 200. Rob Hamilton | Morrow County Sentinel

Maria Lee of Northmor (r) runs in the 3200-meter relay.

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/38/2016/05/web1_marialee.jpgMaria Lee of Northmor (r) runs in the 3200-meter relay. Rob Hamilton | Morrow County Sentinel

Nadia Kerman unleashes a throw in the shot put at regionals.

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/38/2016/05/web1_nadiakerman.jpgNadia Kerman unleashes a throw in the shot put at regionals. Rob Hamilton | Morrow County Sentinel