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.

Field senior Alexa Polasky has committed to continue her basketball and academic careers at Malone College.

Polasky was a four-year letter winner on the Falcons basketball team. She was an honorable mention All-Ohio as a senior after averaging 17.0 points and 8.6 rebounds per game. Totaled 995 career points and helped Falcons to first 20-win season in school history.

FOOTBALL

WALSH JESUIT 35, FIELD 0

Varsity Letters Player of the Game: Walsh Jesuit sophomore Cameron Ontko.

In his second game after missing five weeks with mononucleosis, Ontko carried the ball 18 times for 167 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Warriors (9-1) over the Falcons (9-2). Ontko had touchdown runs of 2, 23 and 37 yards.

Walsh advances to play Cortland Lakeview (9-2) in a regional semifinal at 7:30 p.m. Friday at a site to be determined.

High School Football Playoff Schedule

Note: These are probable playoff matchups according to www.joeeitel.com and the matchups have changed several times on Saturday, which means they might be different on the website on Sunday. Official OHSAA playoff pairings will be released Monday.

Friday’s Games
(All games 7:30 p.m., unless noted)

Division II, Region 5
Firestone (7-3) at Tallmadge (9-1)

Division II, Region 7
Lake (7-3) at Louisville (8-2)

Division III, Region 9
Field (9-1) at Walsh Jesuit (8-1)
Cortland Lakeview (8-2) at Aurora (9-1)
Ravenna (8-2) at Mentor Lake Catholic (6-3)

Divison III, Region 11
Poland Seminary (7-3) at Northwest (10-0)
New Concord John Glenn (8-2) at West Branch (8-2)
Canton South (6-4) at Dover (7-3)

Divison V, Region 17
Northwestern (9-1) at Waynedale (8-2)

Saturday’s Games
(All games 7 p.m., unless noted)

Division I, Region 2
GlenOak (6-4) at Brunswick (10-0)
Toledo St. John’s Jesuit (6-4) at North Canton Hoover (8-2)
Perrysburg (8-2) at Nordonia (9-1)
Wadsworth (9-1) at Toledo Whitmer (8-2)

Division IV, Region 13
CVCA (9-1) at Stuebenville (10-0)
Tusky Valley (8-2) at Canton Central Catholic (9-1)
Lake Co. Perry (9-1) at St. Vincent-St. Mary (8-2)

Division VI, Region 21
Columbiana (7-3) at Mogadore (9-1)

Football

Ravenna 21, Field 13

Varsity Letters Player of the Game: Ravenna senior wide receiver/running back/safety Jonathan Davis.

Davis carried the ball 19 times for 91 yards and a touchdown. His 1-yard touchdown run gave Ravenna a 14-7 lead with 7:48 left in the game. Davis then helped the Ravens (7-2, 6-0 in the PTC Metro Division) seal the win with a 28-yard touchdown pass to senior receiver Bobby Clement.

With the win, Ravenna clinched at least a share of the PTC Metro Division title and will have a chance to win the championship outright next week when it hosts Springfield.

Field (8-1, 5-1) suffered its first loss of the season.

Davis was also a force on defense. He forced a fumble that was recovered by Ravenna as Field’s comeback attempt was delayed. After Field scored a touchdown with 20 seconds left, Davis blocked the Falcons’ extra-point kick.

“Jonathan Davis took the game over,” Ravenna coach Jim Lunardi said. “He stood out.”

Davis knew that his big plays on offense were important, but he said the Ravens defense was the difference because it was able to prevent Field from making a late comeback by forcing turnovers.

“We stayed pumped up,” Jonathan Davis said. “That’s one thing about our defense, we never get down. We stay hyped up. No matter what the offense is doing, our defense keeps us in the game.”

Click here for a video of Field at Ravenna.

Click here for the game story.

GAVIN JACKSON/Akron Beacon Journal

Ravenna senior fullback Roy Davis points to the sky after he scored a 1-yard touchdown in the first quarter of the Ravens’ 21-13 win over previously undefeated Field on Friday night.

Field 47, Rootstown 7

Varsity Letters Player of the Game: senior running back/defensive back Seth Koosed

Koosed had 22 carries for 160 yards and three touchdowns. He carried the ball 15 times for 97 yards and two touchdowns to help give Field a 40-0 lead. Koosed also had an interception on defense.

“Seth Koosed has been good three years in a row,” Field coach Matt Furino said. “He’s approaching 3,000 yards in his career right now at Field. He’s very close — probably 2,900. Our school record is 3,400. He’s a special kid.”

Field is now 3-0. The Falcons have outscored their first three opponents 116-13 and look to be a serious contender heading into their Portage Trail Conference Metro Division opener at Kent Roosevelt in Week 4.

Do you think Field will win the PTC Metro Division? If not, tell me who will.

Here is a preseason look at Portage Trail Conference Metro Division football for the 2007 season. In this post, you will find players (and any all-star recognition they received in the league last season) to watch from each team and my predictions for the upcoming season.

KENT ROOSEVELT (10-1 overall, 7-0 in the PTC Metro last year; PTC Metro champs)

Top players: Senior kicker Emily Moran (first-team PTC Metro Division special teams, special-mention All-Ohio and first-team all-district in Division II), junior DB-RB Tyler Lohr (second-team defense).

CRESTWOOD (6-2, 5-2)

Top players: Senior OL-DL Jake Roman (first-team offense), senior Jimmy Porter (second-team defense), senior Mark Mikula (second-team defense).

COVENTRY (8-3, 5-2)

Top players: Junior WR Jeff Walker (first-team offense and second-team all-district in Division III), senior Matt Myers (first-team defense), senior OL-DL Vince Magestro (second-team defense).

RAVENNA (6-4, 5-2)

Top players: Senior LB-FB Roy Davis (first-team defense), senior WR-DB Jonathan Davis (second-team offense), Drew Trammel (second-team offense), Stephen Fejedelem (second-team offense), Brad Hager (second-team defense), Mike Petrone (second-team defense), junior RB-DB Blayre Davis.

SOUTHEAST (5-5, 3-4)

Top players: Senior OL-DL Greg Lemley (first-team offense), senior TE-LB Kyle Johnston (first-team offense), Ed Burke (first-team special teams), senior FB-LB Chad Eatinger (second-team offense), junior OL-DL Christian Kainrad (second-team defense).

FIELD (5-5, 2-5)

Top players: Senior OL-DL Kris Adams (first-team offense), senior RB Seth Koosed (first-team offense), senior DB Ronnie Adkins (first-team defense), senior DL-OL Brent Ulreich (second-team defense), senior Zach Miller (second-team defense).

NORTON (2-8, 1-6)

Top player: Senior QB Jeremy Perry (honorable mention PTC Metro Division).

SPRINGFIELD (0-10, 0-7)

Here are my predictions for the order in which the teams will finish in the PTC Metro Division this season:

1. Ravenna

2. Crestwood

3. Coventry

4. Southeast

5. Kent Roosevelt

6. Field

7. Norton

8. Springfield

Here is my explanation: Of the three teams that finished in a tie for second place in the league standings last year, Ravenna has the most upside. The Ravens have 17 returning starters and 19 seniors. Defending PTC Metro Division champion Kent Roosevelt lost several key players, including Youngstown State Univeristy quarterback recruit David Rogers, to graduation, so winning another league title seems to be unlikely. Crestwood lost its main offensive threat: Kent State Univeristy RB recruit Alan Vanderink. Coventry also lost its star player: QB Chase Carris. However, Ravenna has its star players back. The Ravens will be led on both sides of the ball by Roy Davis, Jonathan Davis and Blayre Davis. And yes, they are all cousins. I wrote a story about them that will appear in the Beacon Journal’s football preview, which will be released Wednesday. On another note, if there is one player that you should try to see this season, it’s Coventry junior wide receiver Jeff Walker. I saw Walker, 6-foot-4, 195-pound, play last year, and he was amazing. He finished the season with 54 catches for 874 yards and eight touchdowns and was a second-team all-district selection in Division III as a sophomore. Carris was a very good high school quarterback and some might say his departure could affect Walker. But I think Walker will have another great season no matter who the quarterback is because he can get open, and he has the athletic ability to gain yards after the catch.

Tell me what you think of these predictions. How do you think the league will turn out?

Posted by Michael Beaven for the Beacon Journal

BASEBALL

Akron Division II district final

Walsh Jesuit 8, Tallmadge 2

Varsity Letters Player of the Game: Walsh Jesuit senior third basemen Joe Darwal

Darwal hit two doubles and a single, and collected two RBI to lead the Warriors over the rival Blue Devils. The victory gives Walsh their fifth consecutive district title and eighth in the past 11 seasons.

Darwal also made a nice back-handed grab near third base, stepped on the bag to get a force out and end a Tallmadge bases loaded rally in the sixth inning. The play was key for Walsh junior left-hander David Starn, who pitched a complete game. 

Darwal did not start in Walsh’s 2-1 win over Field in a district semifinal on Thursday, but did pinch hit in the game. He has shared third base with Johnny Fasola this season under the direction of coach Chris Kaczmar.

“Coach just felt it was my time to play and decided to give me the start,” said Darwal, who batted ninth in the batting order Friday. “I was glad I was able to help.”

Posted by Bryan Fair for the Beacon Journal 

The Tallmadge Blue Devils defeated the Archbishop Hoban Knights 4-3 in 10 innings in a Akron Division II district semifinal on Thursday at Summit Lake Park.

 Tallmadge scored the winning run on an error in the bottom of the 10th inning to advance to a district final against Walsh Jesuit, which beat Field 2-1 in the other semifinal.

 The first two Blue Devils were retired in the 10th before back-to-back singles from juniors Jon Campriana and Ryan Mace set up the game-winning play.  Campriana dove across home plate to seal the victory after the misplayed ground ball.

Mace pitched nine innings, allowing three unearned runs on five hits, while striking out 15.  His brother, Nate, picked up the win in relief.

Ryan Mace also had three singles and an RBI at the plate.

Hoban junior starter Kyle McMillen, who struck out nine, settled in after a rough three-run first inning.  He retired 13 Blue Devils in a row between the second and sixth innings and left the game after the seventh with the score tied at 3.

Tallmadge and Walsh Jesuit meet in the district championship at 5 p.m. today at Summit Lake.

Posted by Michael Beaven for the Beacon Journal

The Walsh Jesuit baseball team is ranked No. 1 in the final Division II Ohio High School Baseball Coaches Association poll.

The Warriors, who have won Division II state championships in 1999, 2004 and 2006, have never won the poll heading into the state tournament until now.

Walsh has been led this season by seniors Dan Sherwood, Taylor Hoisington, Josh Raggi and Matt Bigach under the direction of coach Chris Kaczmar. Junior Ross Brunello and sophomore James Toland have also been key contributors for the Warriors.

Walsh plays Field Thursday in a district semifinal game at Summit Lake Park’s George Sisler Field. Archbishop Hoban and Tallmadge play in the other semifinal game. 

The district final game is Friday.