State Track: Crooksville's Frame finishes shy of All-Ohio honors
COLUMBUS — Grace Frame was confident entering Friday's Division III state track and field meet.
Unfortunately, the Crooksville senior came up short of her goal, finishing 12th in the shot put and 14th in the discus.
The top eight earn All-Ohio honors and stand atop the podium.
Frame posted a throw of 37-4 1/2 in the shot. Barnesville's Anna Yater was eighth at 38-8, and Marion Local's Molly Winner won the state title with a throw of 43-0.
Frame had a toss of 106-10 in the discus, as Botkins' Aleah Johnson won with 137-5.
"I came in ranked eighth, and I thought when I got 37 that it would be enough to get me into the finals," she said. "But, six girls hit p.r.'s (personal records), and that's a credit to them. I had a good day, but it wasn't enough."
It also ended a stellar career for Frame, who excelled in four sports as a Ceramic. She will continue throwing in college for Mount Vernon Nazarene, but she appreciated all the support has received these past four years.
"(Track) Coach (Scott) Houk has been a big support and a great inspiration. He pushed me to reach this level. Coach (Dustin) Young really helped me with the mental side coming into state," Frame noted. "I'm thankful and appreciative of all the opportunities that I've had in my high school career. I've had a lot of support, and I'll head to (MVNU) and tear it up there."
Several area runners and one relay punched tickets to Saturday's finals, as the top nine advanced.
Morgan junior Odessa Smith was second in her heat of the 100 hurdles to automatically qualify in 15.14, which was the sixth fastest time, and John Glenn junior Kara Fields had the eighth fastest time of 15.30.
Morgan senior Josie Knierim came in second in her heat of the 100, posting the sixth fastest time of12.29. She also had the fifth fastest time in the 200 (25.65), while Smith had the fifth fastest time (46.09) and Sheridan's Claire Shriner the ninth (47.1) in the 300 hurdles. Sheridan's Beckett Strong was 17th (50.55) in the 300H.
The Sheridan girls 4x400 of Shriner, Strong, Julie Nichols and Katelyn Heath also qualified, breaking the school record with a time of 4:01.02, which was the fifth fastest
Smith and Shriner had grueling days, but both were pleased to take in the experience and earn opportunities to race again on Saturday.
"I ran a p.r. in the 100H, but everything wears on you so I didn't have a great time in the 300," Smith said. "I like being able to come here and race. The state atmosphere adds to the excitement."
"It definitely feels more real being here than at Pickerington North last season," Shriner said. "I was nervous, especially facing good competition. It was a good day, and I will be more prepared when I try to get back here next year."
In the girls 4x200, Sheridan's relay of Strong, Adrienne Spicer, Nichols and Heath placed 12th, and Morgan's team of Paige Gorrell, Emily Pinkerton, Smith and Knierim was 15th (1:47.01), while Morgan's 4x100 of Gorrell, Aleah Bogue, Autumn Garber and Knierim came in 16th (51.2).
The John Glenn girls 4x800 of Abigail Derry, Grace Lawrence, Laurie Baughman and Brea Wilfong were 16th (9:55), and the boys 4x800 of Caiden Lake, Carson Clouse, Kody Clendenning and Chris Tooms were 18th (8:26). Elijah Kuklica finished 13th in the boys 400 (51.28) and Jessica Church came in 15th in the girls 400 (1:00.03) for the Muskies.
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This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: State Track: Crooksville's Frame finishes shy of All-Ohio honors
