Three area athletes reach state in Division II

LEXINGTON — Three area athletes earned their respective spots at the state championships in individual events on Saturday at the Division II regional championship meet at Lexington High School. The top four placers in each event at the regional advanced to the state track and field championships on June 4-5 at Pickerington North High School. Willard's Destiny Rose broke her own program record in the 800-meter run, winning the event in 2:18.13 in a close race. She's also on the record-breaking 4x800-meter relay for the Flashes that advanced to state on Thursday. Also placing for Willard on Saturday was Trenton Rupert, who was sixth in the 400 dash in 51.85 seconds. Mckenna Stephens was eighth in the 400 (59.78), while the 4x400 relay of Rose, Layla Dials, Natalie Frye and Stephens placed seventh in 4:09.47. Returning to state for Edison was distance standout Abby Lesniak. The All-Ohioan in cross country finished second in the 3200 run in 11:20.16. Also advancing to state for the Chargers was Caleb Bell, who placed fourth in the 400 in 51.45 seconds. Others who earned points for the Chargers on Saturday was Dylan O'Dell in the high jump (6-feet-2) and Katelyn Jeremay in the pole vault (9-feet-6). Both placed fifth in their respective events.