Buhro leads multiple Rockets at SBC meet, districts

Once again, the Oak Harbor track teams made notice at the Sandusky Bay Conference meet and the Division II district meet.

The Oak Harbor boys finished second in the Sandusky Bay Conference Bay Division meet, scoring 167 points to place behind champion Huron (185). Edison (106) was third, followed by Margaretta (82), Port Clinton (52), and Willard (46).

“I am extremely proud of the team for competing very hard in the league meet,” coach Andy Augsburger said. “We had 20 personal records in 17 events which was amazing to watch our boys try to win another conference title. We also had seven event SBC champions. 

“Overall, we have been working really hard to get our team prepared for this time of the season. We are hoping to put everything together and get as many people down to Columbus as possible.” 

Oak Harbor junior sprinter Hayden Buhro was named the SBC Bay Division Most Outstanding Performer after winning four events, including the 100-meter dash, finishing in 11.12 seconds to beat Edison sophomore Trayvon Williams (11.38) to the finish line.

Buhro was also joined on the 4x200 relay team by senior Hayden Hower, junior Judson Overmyer and freshman Tyler Thompson that won in 1:30.01, defeating the runner-up team from Huron (1:30.17) by less than one-fifth of a second.

Buhro’s third championship was in the 200, where he finished in 22.67 seconds to defeat Huron junior Conner Schaeffer (22.8).

In Buhro’s fourth championship, he was joined on the 4x100 team by Hower, senior Isiah Miller and sophomore Jaqui Hayward, which finished in 42.88 seconds to defeat runner-up Huron (43.35).

“Hayden has been doing great this year,” Augsburger said. “His work ethic on and off the track is awesome. He trains hard during his running workouts and also in the weight room. 

“The sprint group has pushed each other all season and has not shied away from competition. Our 200-meter record here at the high school is 22.3. He has run a FAT of 22.35. He hasn’t broken the school record but obviously is really close,” Augsburger continued.

“Hayden is also on the 4x200 with teammates Judson Overmyer, Hayden Hower, Owen Miller and Tyler Thompson (in various foursomes). They have broken three meet records this year. 

“Hayden is also part of the 4x1 team with his teammates Isiah Miller, Jaqui Hayward, Hayden Hower and Tyler Thompson. They have broken three meet records as well. Our school record in the 4x2 is 1:29.31 and these athletes have run 1:30.01. Our school record in the 4x1 is 42.76 and these athletes have run 42.88.” 

Owen Miller, a junior, won the 400, finishing in 51.03 seconds to edge Margaretta senior Jacob Leibacher (51.4).

Miller also won the 300 hurdles, finishing in 39.6 seconds to defeat Huron sophomore Beau Markelroad (42.28) by over two seconds.

Oak Harbor junior William Rahm won the pole vault, clearing 12 feet, six inches, one foot better than second place Huron sophomore Charlie Norwell (11-6).

The Oak Harbor girls, headed up by longtime coach John McKitrick, finished fourth at the SBC Bay, scoring 116 points to place behind Margaretta (157), Edison (142) and Huron (119). PC (73) was fifth and Willard (31) sixth.

In the girls meet, Oak Harbor junior Rylee McKitrick won the 200, finishing in 26.59 seconds to defeat Port Clinton sophomore Jade Mitchell (27.19).

Oak Harbor senior Amelia Mizelle won the 100, crossing in 15.01 seconds to edge second place Margaretta senior Kenna Stimmel (15.02) in a near photo finish.

At the district meet, the Oak Harbor boys finished second out of 13 teams, scoring 106 points to trail first place Perkins (155). The girls were fourth, scoring 81 to finish behind Perkins (121), Eastwood (113) and Central Catholic (92).

The boys 4x100 relay team of Isiah Miller, Hayward, Hower, and Buhro won a district championship, finishing in 42.37 to beat second place Central (42.57) by one-fifth of a second.

The 4x400 (Overmyer, Isiah Miller, Owen Miller, freshman Carson Ridener) finished second (3:25.24), the 4x200 relay (Overmyer, Hower, Miller, Buhro) finished third (1:29.68), and the 4x800 (Ridener and seniors T.J. Hallett, Andrew Swartzlander, Antoine Gonzales) placed fourth (8:46.99).

Buhro was second in the 100 (11.08) and 200 (22.91), Owen Miller was second in the 400 (50.18) and 300 hurdles (39.75), T.J. Hallett was third in the 1600 (4:43.93), Rahm was third in the pole vault (12-3), and Evan Hall was second in the shot put (49-9).

For the girls, Mizelle won a 100 hurdles championship (15.48) and finished third in the 300 hurdles (47.55). 

McKitrick was second in the 100 dash (12.61), and in the 800, Skyler Turner (2:30.85) was second and Logan Wagner (2:31) third.

Ally Garner was second in the long jump (16-¼), Abigail Schiller third in the pole vault (8-9), and three relay teams qualified for regionals — the 4x100, 4x400 and 4x800.

The 4x100 (Mizelle, McKitrick, Garner, and freshman Effie Schulte) was fourth (50.95), the 4x400 (McKitrick, Turner, Wagner, and senior) Emma Baumgartner placed fourth (4:13.86), and the 4x800 (Turner, Wagner, sophomore Marissa Mapes and freshman Samara Tack) was third (10:46.29).