by On May 31st through June 1st, the top eighteen athletes per event in each division rallied at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium to compete in a two day battle that would stand to be a test of determination, perseverance, and downright grit.
The OHSAA Track and Field State Championship put the best against the best, and all of the athletes were prepared to win. With all of the hard work and dedication committed throughout the season, this was the moment where lessons would be learned, names would be taken, and glory would be rendered eternal.
The stakes are high, eight solid spots awaiting on the podium for the athletes to take their well-deserved moment of fame. Beaver Local freshman James Monte sums it up well when he remarks, “the higher, the better”.
For Monte, however, the experience was new. A rookie to the competition of high school athletics, the thrill of making it to the state tournament was exhilarating, however not exactly a surprise to the coaches and athletes that have watched him excell throughout the years.
A three time state champion and record holder in the 7th and 8th Grade 2018 Track and Field State Championship, Monte’s name was already on the list of up and coming athletes to look out for. This season did not disappoint.
“People don’t think that, as a freshman, I can do as good as seniors. That’s what’s nice when you go and compete, and then beat juniors and seniors that are more developed and experienced. I try to do my best to compete,” Monte recalled. “Being the only freshman made it a little better, there’s more bragging rights there. They have one more year, and I have three. It’s more nice than it is pressure, and it’s something to fall back on.”
