Records fall as Norwalk advances eight to regionals

FINDLAY — The Norwalk High School track and field program had a big Day 2 at the Division I district championship meet at Findlay High School. After advancing the 4x800 distance girls relay on Thursday, the Truckers advanced eight individuals in nine events on Saturday to the regional championships — one step shy of the state meet. The Norwalk girls scored 47 points to place sixth in the 15-team district field, while the boys scored 43 points to place seventh. The top four placers in each event qualified for the regional meet, set for Wednesday (May 22) and Friday (May 24) at Port Clinton's Tru-Lay Stadium. In the 200-meter dash, freshman Grace Norris placed second and broke a school record in the event with a time of 26.28 seconds. Earlier in the day, Norris won the 400 dash in 59.59 seconds. Zuri Immel was fourth in the 1600 run in 5:22.4 to also advance, while the 4x400 relay team of Shyla Gruhlke, Xavi Immel, Mac Wineman and Norris also placed fourth in a school record time of 4:04.97. On Wednesday, the 4x800 team of Gruhlke, Zuri and Xavi Immel and Norris won the event in 9:51.43. For the Norwalk boys, Elliot Gahring was second in the 100 (11.9) and the 400 (49.6) to advance in both sprints. Ben Rothhaar was second in the 200 in a school record 22.23 seconds, and also placed fourth in the 400 in 50.22. Also advancing for the Truckers was Mark Marrett, who placed third in the high jump at six feet. DIVISION II Williams shines at Ontario ONTARIO — After winning the long jump on Thursday, Edison senior Trayvon Williams was second in the 100 dash in 10.97 seconds and in the 200 dash in 22.51 at Saturday's Div. II district at Ontario High School. Also for Edison, Aiden Reeder was second in the 400 in 51.06, and Chase King was fourth in the 800 in 2:02.36. The 4x100 relay team of Josiah Bryant, Trevor Leimeister, Reeder and Williams also placed fourth in 43.79 seconds for the Chargers. On the girls side, Edison's Ingrid Berckmueller was second in the 400 (59.6) and Grace Anderson was fourth in the 1600 (5:24.4). Willard's Paige Adams was fourth in the shot put with a toss of 35-feet-0.25 inches. The boys' 4x400 relay of Grant Shaarda, Paxton Flores, Max Dawson and Javier Villalon-Lopez placed fourth in 3:30.65 for the Crimson Flashes. The regional meet will be held next Thursday (May 23) and Saturday (May 25) at Lexington High School.