Akron Public Schools championships, Walsh Jesuit Twilight meet lead this weekend’s top

CLEVELAND, Ohio – From Stow’s Xavier Preston running a state best 21.06-second 200 to the continued dominance of Twinsburg’s girls relay teams, local athletes have had some of the state’s top performances during regular season and are eager for the OHSAA postseason.

“Hopefully to win states,” St. Vincent-St. Mary’s Kya Epps said of her goals for the remainder of the year. “Come out fast, stay strong, get lots of knee lift and hopefully come in first.”

At the rate she’s going, Epps has a good chance to just that. Her 11.92 is tied for third statewide this season. According to MileSplit her 25.24 200 ranks No.14. She also runs on the Irish 4×100 and 4×200 relays that have really meshed well in the second half of the season.

“It started off pretty slow,” Epps said. “I feel like us as a team have really worked together, dug deep , found what was wrong in the heats and stuff and really just pushed through it.”

Epps and the Irish will have their final opportunity to push through for another championship at Walsh Jesuit’s Twilight meet.

Here are this weekend’s top track meets featuring area teams.

Akron Public Schools championships

When: Saturday, May 14.

Where: Ellet High School, 309 Woolf Ave, Akron, 44312.

Teams: Akron East, Akron North, Buchtel, Ellet, Firestone, Kenmore-Garfield.

The Skinny: The two west-side schools, Buchtel and Firestone, enter the meet as clear favorites. Buchtel’s girls are led by Tay’Onia Whitaker and Damaya Barker. Whitaker has Ohio’s fourth-best 400 this season at 57.56, while Barker’s 14.78 ranks eighth in the 100 hurdles. The duo has lifted the Griffins this year and could bring the city championship back home for the third time in four years.

Walsh Jesuit Twilight meet

When: Friday, May 13.

Where: Walsh Jesuit High School, 4550 Wyoga Lake Rd, Cuyahoga Falls, 44224.

Teams: Benedictine, Brush, Max Hayes, Hoban, St. Vincent-St. Mary, University School, Walsh Jesuit

The Skinny: With state-caliber athletes all across the board, Walsh’s after school special is a great transition into the postseason. Benedictine’s Brandon Boyd Jr. and University School’s Rich Clark are tied for the fastest 200 time, 22.52, entering the meet. University School also has guaranteed points in hurdler Bryce Hodge, but Brush’s Tyrell Cloud is hot on his heels. St. Vincent-St. Mary’s Kya Epps is one of four Ohio girls with a sub 12-second 100. She will try to anchor the Irish 4×100 and 4×200 past a speedy group of Walsh girls.

NEO All-Catholic meet

When: Saturday, May 14.

Where: Gilmour Academy, 34001 Cedar Rd, Gates Mills, 44040.

Teams: Beaumont. Cleveland Central Catholic, NDCL, St. Joseph Academy, Villa Angela St. Joseph, Gilmour Academy, Lake Catholic, Magnificat, Padua Franciscan, Walsh Jesuit

The Skinny: Beaumont, Gilmour and Walsh immediately stand out in a competitive field. Walsh’s Alexis Stewart, who has the state’s 16th fastest 100 time this season, comes in as the top girl sprinter. Luke Ondracek leads the Warriors on the boys’ side. According to MileSplit, he has top-10 times in the mile and two-mile, but NDCL’s Brian Bates has an edge over him in the 800. Beaumont’s 4×400 and 4×200 are third and seventh. Patricia O’Neal is featured on both relays, and comes in with the second-fastest 400 behind Walsh’s Gabby Gottschalk.