MVP News: Lehman frosh running wild, ESPN and Golf
By Tim Langevin
There’s a new kid out of the starting blocks. He’s just a pup. But don’t let his boyish looks fool anybody. This 15-year-old can dash with the big dogs.
Spring has finally sprung and with it has sprouted talented Lehman freshman trackster Justin Stewart. Call him “White Lightening”. Of course Doug Donley, back in the day as a wide-receiver for Ohio State, patents the original title.
Track coach Dwane Rowley and football coach Dick Roll like what they see for varying reasons. Rowley believes that Stewart can make state in the 400M and break 50 seconds before the season ends as the competition gets tougher.
And Roll is looking forward to utilizing Stewart’s speed at multiple positions on the football field.
So far, Stewart has run PRs of 11.87 in the 100M, 23.64 in the 200M, and 50.63 in the 400M events. Also, he anchors the 4x100M Relay Team.
To put into perspective, if Stewart was competing in the GWOC (DI Schools), his 400M time would rank fourth behind Julius Ruby’s 49.05 of Trotwood, Aaron Lecount of Greenville, and Julius Jones of Trotwood.
Stewart is still a work in progress with technique issues, upper body strength, and wrong size cleats at times or missing cleats other times. Despite the dampness behind his ears, the youngster is Born to Run.
No doubt Stewart has clocked some respectable times. And he can thank senior competitors Sam Phlipot (Minster) and Damian Winner (Versailles). The three have been pushing each other in meets all spring. Phlipot and Winner both competed at the state last year. Stewart hopes to join them this year at Jesse Owens Stadium June 3-4.
TALE OF THE TAPE
Justin Stewart: 100 (11.87), 200 (23.63), 400 (50.63)
Sam Phlipot: 100 (10.90), 200 (21.95), 400 (53.34)
Damian Winner: 100 (11.29), 200 (22.95), 400 (48.39, last year State Prelims)
Footnote: Doug Donley’s 200M time at Cambridge H.S. was 22.41
Chips & Salsa
*The deadline for CBP ballots is May 16. And in the words of MeatLoaf, “What’s it gonna be boy? Yes or No!” Sleep on this. The CBP would punish those athletic programs that are traditionally successful.
*Sidney basketball standout Daniel Ocke has signed with NCAA III Capital University. The 6-6 hybrid averaged 19.6 points (2nd in GWOC) and 7.2 rebounds (12th in GWOC) this past season.
*The 12th annual Van Wert County Hospital All-Star football game will be held Friday June 10 at 7:30 PM at Eggress Stadium in Van Wert, Ohio. Thirty-three players from the WBL will battle 33 players combined from the MAC and NWC. Last chance to witness Kenton’s prolific receiving corp of Max Morrison, Andrew Tillman, and Dustin Howell and Delphos St. John’s Chris Pohlman, Evan Burgei, Ty Bergfeld, and Jordan Leininger.
*ESPN is planning to cover the Coldwater-Kenton football game Live Sunday August 28 at 6:00 PM. It is part of an eight game slate featuring high school teams across the nation the weekend of August 26-28. Coldwater AD Eric Goodwin said as of May 11, “Nothing has been finalized. Hope to hear before school’s out.”
*Lehman grad Nate Fridley was named NCAC Golfer of the Year. The Ohio Wesleyan University junior averaged 75.1 strokes per round.
*More golf. Minster grad Ben Hogenkamp, member of the Wildcats’ 2009 D III state championship team, will be playing in the NCAA III Golf Championships with Wittenberg teammates at the Grandover Resort in Greensboro, NC this week. Hogenkamp averaged 76.1 strokes per round and finished third overall in the NCAC tournament with rounds of 73-73-78-76-71. Not bad for a freshman.
*Lehman High School is looking for a new girls head basketball coach. Mark Lindenauer resigned after three seasons compiling a 28-35 record.
SHOCKERS! Defending State Champs Fort Loramie was knocked out of the D IV baseball sectionals by Springfield Catholic 5-2 and Versailles was eliminated in the D III tourney by Miami East 6-2. Call it Woeful Wednesday. The bright side, both teams can clinch league titles Friday in the SCL and MAC.
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