When it comes to track, it’s always about who ran the fastest, jumped the highest or threw the shot or the discus the farthest. But sometimes there are stories, GREAT, INSPRATIONAL STORIES, that don’t have to do with who won.

For instance, I remember watching the local news in the fall, I think it was, and there was an amazing story about a young lady (she may have been from the Youngstown area), who was competing in the state high school cross country meet and was almost near the finish line. Then came a gruesome sight. She broke her leg on the course and fell to the ground.

But this young lady had the courage and fortitude to crawl and limp her way to the finish line, despite being in obvious pain.

It was a story of incredible self-will. This young lady needed medical help, but she didn’t want it. She was withering with pain but she wanted to finish that race, and if you watched the video, you couldn’t help but get a little emotional, knowing she was in a world of pain. But watching her will her way to that finish line, regardless of the pain she was experiencing, was breathtaking and moving.

The yound lady gave a great television interview a few days later and it was great to see she was doing well and was in good spirts. I think she even joked that all she was thinking about, when she went down, was that she wasn’t going to be able to dance at her sister’s wedding later that night.

I witnessed another incredible story, but it didn’t involve injury. A few years ago I was covering a regional track meet at Ravenna and the Copley girls were favored in this particular relay event. As the race began, Copley was right there, as expected. But during one of the exchanges, the baton was dropped and the team was out of the race.

The young lady who dropped the baton was devasted. I mean, I had never seen an athlete more distraught. What I found out later was that the young lady was only a sophomore and there were two seniors on that relay team. The sophomore felt she had blown it for the seniors because it was their last chance to make it to state.

She was on the infield of the track, as the race was still going, slumped over an emotional ball.

She just shuddered and shook as she cried.

Then, former Copley standout Carrie Dyer, who was a senior and on that relay team, ran to the young runner to comfort her.

Then the rest of the realy team followed.

To me, that was one of the most inspirational stories I had ever witnessed.

The sophomore was heartbroken. But she was heartbroken because she cared about her teammates and wanted to perform at her best so that it would help the seniors.

It didn’t happen. But when it didn’t happen, the seniors weren’t mad, bitter or upset. They showed support for their younger teammate because they loved her. And in the end, winning didn’t matter.

So, with that, I’m asking readers to post any inspirational stories you witnessed, in track or any other sport, that didn’t involve someone winning.

A story where someone overcame odds to get where they are. Or a story about teammates helping one another.

Those are the most compelling stories.

It appears as if Eastern Michigan has searched deep into Ohio plucking four area softball players to fill next year’s roster. Hoover’s Sarah Gerber (1B) and McKenna Russ (OF) are both already inked. As is Jackson’s Jess Richards (3B). Stow’s Allison Scherer (SS) will join her sister, Jenny Scherer ( a sophomore OF),  at EMU  as well.

Former Canton McKinley baseball shortstop Zack Leonard is also at EMU. The freshman is hitting .263 with two home runs in 20 games this season.

Freshman defensive back Judson Rambaud, Formerly of Akron St. Vincent St. Mary, and redshirt freshman wide receiver Corey Welch (Green High School) are on the football roster there.

The Canton Timken boys basketball team will play Toledo Whtimer tonight at 7:30 p.m. at Rhodes Arena in a Division I regional championship game at the University of Akron.

The winner of tonight’s game advances to Columbus for the state final four at Value City Arena on the campus of Ohio State University.

Timken, 24-0 this season, is seeking its first appearance in the state final four since 1960.

Timken and Whitmer have had to wait to play this game, orginally scheduled for Saturday, due to the heavy snowfall that recently hit Northeast Ohio.

Timken has defeated Massillon Washington, Jackson, Perry and Firestone so far in the tournament.

Senior guards Johnie Davis and Christian Alston and junior forward Chaz Moore led the Trojans past the Falcons this past Thursday.

If Timken wins the regional title it will mark the fifth consecutive season the Canton district winner will qualify for the state final four. GlenOak advanced to state in 2007 and Canton McKinley advanced to state in 2004, 2005 and 2006. McKinley won state titles in 2005 and 2006.

Brian Cross has resigned as head football coach at Canton McKinley High School.

Cross, 56, has accepted a head football coaching and teaching position at a Columbus area high school named Olentangy Orange. Cross coached in the Columbus area for 18 years prior to arriving at McKinley.

“When my wife (Karen) and I looked down the road I really felt I would end up back in the Columbus area some day, whether it be as a coach or in retirement,” Cross said. “This opportunity came up and it was a very good situation. I get to open a new high school and build brand new traditions. That is something I have never had the opportunity to do and that is very exciting. It will be a challenge.”

“It’s a district that is in good shape finanically with several open teaching positions. It was just a situation I couldn’t pass up. My wife is from Grove City and she has a lot of family there. The timing was just good for us to make that move.”

Cross compiled a 41-21 record on five seasons at McKinley. The Bulldogs were Division I state runner-up once during his tenure and were also a state semifinalist once. He will stay at McKinley until June to lead the weightlifting program and help students.

“It was very difficult to leave Canton McKinley,” Cross said. “It has great tradition, great facilities and a strong community that supports high school football. During my time there I enjoyed working with our kids. The program was down a bit prior to my arrival and we got it going again and had some success. This past season was just a bad year. I think it was a situation where things just did not go our way. There will be a lot of kids coming back next year and I think the program will return to the top.”

McKinley will start a search for a new coach in January.

“I am sure there will be many candidates that will apply for the McKinley job,” Cross said. “When you hear those two words, ‘Canton McKinley’ you think of football, the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Fawcett Stadium.”

Here is a report from the Associated Press:

Canton McKinley High School will forfeit its 66-6 win over a Detroit high school after McKinley’s coach discovered that an academically ineligible player participated in the game, school officials said.

McKinley football coach Brian Cross notified the Ohio High School Athletic Association on Sunday after the ineligible player participated in the last play of the Aug. 25 home opener against Detroit Pershing.

The forfeit, made in accordance with OHSAA regulations, drops McKinley to an 0-2 start for the season.

Cross will be suspended for one game.

The academic eligibility of all players is routinely checked by coaches and athletic staff. But in this case, the student had just transferred into the district and the high school hadn’t yet received his official transcript, the school said.

-Associated Press

I think Brian Cross showed a lot of character by notifying OHSAA about the ineligible player that he put in the game. But rules are rules, so Cross will be suspended for McKinley’s game against Lake.

Do you think McKinley (0-2) will fold against Lake? Or do you think the Bulldogs will pick up a win with their backs against the wall? Let me know.

Here is a preseason look at Federal League football for the 2007 season. In this post, you will find players (that received all-star recognition in the league last season) to watch from each team and my predictions for the upcoming season.

*** Please note that the 2007 High School Football Preview Section will appear in the Wednesday Aug. 22, 2007 edition of the Akron Beacon Journal with complete analysis of every league, team and top players in the area. ***

CANTON MCKINLEY (12-2 overall, 7-0 in the Federal League last season; Federal League champions)

Top players: Senior DB-WR Brandon Mingo (first-team Federal), senior OL-DE Sean Whited (first-team), senior DL-OL Isaac Gatlin (second-team), junior DB-RB Derrick Gordon (honorable mention).

PERRY (9-2, 6-1)

Top players: Senior TB-DB Eric Magnacca (first-team Federal, second-team All-Ohio and first-team all-district in Division I), senior QB-OLB Matt Vick (first-team Federal), senior TE-DL David Baughman (second-team), senior OT-DE Doug Elliot (honorable mention).

NORTH CANTON HOOVER (7-3, 4-3)

Top players: Senior WR-DB Matt Wakulchik (first-team Federal, second-team All-Ohio and first-team all-district in Division I), senior LB Kevin Dahl (second-team), senior DL James Georgiades (second team), senior DE Greg Tischler (honorable mention).

JACKSON (5-5, 4-3)

Top player: Senior TB-DB Carlin Isles (first-team Federal).

LAKE (7-5, 3-4)

Top player: Senior FB-LB Matt Higginbotham (honorable mention all-Federal).

AUSTINTOWN FITCH (4-6, 2-5)

Top player: Senior RB-DB Nick Wiery (honorable mention all-Federal).

BOARDMAN (3-7, 1-6)

Top players: Senior HB-CB Tyler Amdendola (second-team Federal), senior FB-OLB Eric Polen (honorable mention).

GLENOAK (3-7, 1-6)

Top player: Senior RB-S Anthony Smith (honorable mention all-Federal).

Here is my predicted finish for the Federal League (which is the same as the Federal League coaches predictions at media day):

1. Canton McKinley

2. Perry

3. North Canton Hoover

4. Boardman

5. Lake

6. Austintown Fitch

7. Jackson

8. GlenOak

Here is an explanation for my predictions:

I think tradition and talent will again lift Canton McKinley to another Federal League championship under coach Brian Cross. The Bulldogs will be seeking their third consecutive league title after reaching the Division I state final four last season.

The “Pups” will have a solid defensive secondary with Mingo, Gordon and senior Tremaine O’Neal. Whited will lead a young offensive line. Inexperienced players will line up on both lines, and also at running back, quarterback, receiver and linebacker. McKinley must replace tailback Morgan Williams, linebackers Disi Alexander and George Tabron, kicker Zack Campbell, center Drew McIntyre and quarterback Dan Grimsley. Replacing that collection of graduated stars could prove to be too much, opening the door for Perry or Hoover.

Perry, which was runner-up last season in the league, returns a solid tailback and quarterback combination in Magnacca and Vick. Magnacca is powerful and fast, two attributes that will strike fear in any defense. The Panthers have 24 lettermen back from a season ago and are poised to challenge for the title under coach John “Spider” Miller.

Hoover’s defense should be excellent with Dahl, Georgiades, Tischler and senior Mitch Rose under the tutelage coach Don Hertler Jr. The Vikings offense could be explosive with Wakulchik catching passes from senior quarterback Jared Wackerly.

Boardman should rise up the Federal standings with 22 lettermen returning. Spartans coach D.J. Ogilvie is very high on Amendola, Polen and seniors Evan Klepec and Nick Tuminello.

Lake could surprise with seven starters back on offense and six back on defense. Higginbotham and senior Gene Onabiyi should lead under coach Jeff Durbin.

Fitch, Jackson and GlenOak will each have new coaches. The Falcons will be guided by Phil Annarella, the Polar Bears have Thom McDaniels in charge and the Golden Eagles hired GlenOak alumnus Scott Garcia. Annarella and McDaniels are experienced leaders, and Garcia is entering his first season as a head coach.

Isles gives Jackson a game-breaking running back with tremendous speed. Add in McDaniels success as coach at Canton McKinley and Warren Harding, and the Polar Bears could challenge the top three teams in the league — McKinley, Perry and Hoover.

Let me know what do you think of these predictions?

It has been reported that 2007 Canton McKinley graduate Zack Campbell has joined the University of Akron football team as a preferred walk-on kicker.

Campbell adds depth to the position and might make an immediate impact as the competition for the starting job progresses throughout the Zips preseason camp.

Campbell, 6-foot-1 and 183 pounds, earned second-team All-Ohio and first-team all-district honors in Division I as a Bulldogs senior. He made seven field goals, including a school-record, 48-yard field goal against Boardman and converted 59-of-60 extra points. He also punted 46 times for a 36.4 yard average.

I talked to Kirk Herbstreit, an ESPN college football analyst and former Ohio State University quarterback, today on the phone. Several top high school football teams from around the country, including Canton McKinley, will compete in the Burger King Kirk Herbstreit Ohio vs. USA Challenge III.

Canton McKinley will play Union High School from Tulsa, Okla., in its second regular-season game at 7:45 p.m. Sept. 1 at Fawcett Stadium in Canton. Union won Oklahoma class 6-A state titles in 2002, 2004 and 2005. Three other games are scheduled to be played at Fawcett Stadium on Sept. 1. Here is the entire Ohio vs. USA schedule.

“The fans everywhere I go are basically thanking me for bringing this event to Ohio because they love high school football,” Herbstreit said. “It’s a chance for high school football fans to see some great players and some great games.”

Tickets are now available for $13 ($15 day of event) for a three or four game session. Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.ohiovsusa.com or calling the ticket offices at Fawcett Stadium in Canton (330-438-2741) or Nippert Stadium at the University of Cincinnati (513-556-2287).

As Canton McKinley’s game against Union approaches, a story will appear in the Beacon Journal.

Canton McKinley baseball coach Joe Pukansky confirmed that five Bulldogs players will continue their careers in college.

Senior shortstop Zack Leonard has signed with Eastern Michigan University for a full-ride scholarship for academics and athletics. Leonard earned the Federal League Player of the Year award after batting .450 this season.

Senior left-handed pitcher Eric Shimko and senior right-hander Aaron Tovissi have committed to play at Walsh University. Shimko was a first-team all-Federal League pitcher, compiling a 5-3 record with one save, and a 2.76 ERA in 52 innings. He also batted .406.

Senior center fielder Germaine McAlpine (Ohio Dominican) and senior catcher Miguel Rodriguez (Ohio Northern) round out the five players.

The Bulldogs finished the season 14-11.

Posted by Michael Beaven for the Beacon Journal

The Federal League held its track and field championships Friday night at Austintown Fitch and the Isles siblings from Jackson showed their sprinting ability is among the best in the area.

Carlin Isles, a junior, won the 100 meters in 11.07 seconds, the 200 in 22.36 and the 400 in 49.12. He also placed second in the long jump (21-feet-5.25-inches). Tambra Isles won the 100 (12.77) and the 200 (25.96).

Boardman won the boys title and GlenOak won the girls crown.

The GlenOak girls received individual first places from freshman Emily Mazzaferri (800) and senior Dejaa Shearer (300 hurdles). Mazzaferri was also the anchor for the 1,600 relay and the 3,200 relay. Jessica Dunkle, Jasmyn Hawkin and Stephanie Noussias were on the 1,600 relay and Jillian Black, Noussias and Stacie Clagg were on the 3,200 relay.

Perry was second on the boys side, with Josh Tormasi (1,600) and Andrew Klecan (pole vault) taking titles. The Panthers 3,200 relay, comprised of Corwin Swint, J.D. Horton, Tormasi and Tyler Griffin.

Canton McKinley and GlenOak rounded out the top four boys teams.

McKinley’s Andy Moore (300 hurdles) and Monterea Williams (long jump) won titles. The Bulldogs had three winning sprint relay units; the 400 (Tremaine O’Neal, Williams, Derick Graham, Alaun Morrow), the 800 (O’Neal, Moore, Graham, Morrow) and the 1,600 (Pierre Cheek, Moore, Morrow, Dermaine Hinton).

The Jackson girls were second, with Courtney Armsey (100 hurdles), Emily Pritt (1,600) and Hallie Busta (3,200) winning titles.

North Canton Hoover and Boardman were third and fourth respectively in the girls meet.