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.

Hudson senior Isaac Charette has committed to continue his golf and academic careers at Ohio University.

Charette was named to the Northeast Ohio Conference River Division first team last fall and plays on the Explorers’ baseball team.

The Revere boys golf team won its third consecutive Suburban League postseason tournament to clinch the league title. Revere won a share of the league title with Green in 2006, but the Minutemen were able to win it outright this season.

Revere finished first in the team scoring with 309 points. Junior Cory Hill shot a 4-over 75 to lead the Minutemen. Junior Tom Kimberly (77), sophomore Patrick Alfieri (78) and junior Mack Kerker (79) rounded out Revere’s top four.

“We generally don’t have a day when three guys shoot in the mid-80s because we have six guys who have a shot at the 70s,” Revere coach Jed McKnight said.

Cloverleaf placed second in the tournament with a 322, and Tallmadge took third with a 329.

Cloverleaf senior Parker Hewit, who has committed to play golf at Bowling Green State University, shared the tournament’s top individual score with Tallmadge sophomore Matt Wellman. Hewit and Wellman each shot a 3-over 74.

LEW STAMP/Akron Beacon Journal

Revere junior Cory Hill is congratulated after sinking a 20-foot putt on No. 18 at J.E. Good Park Golf Course during the Suburban League tournament.

The girls Suburban League Golf Tournament had a sense of deja vu — with a twist.

The medalist was an Arison from Copley for the second consecutive year, yet this time it was the younger twin sister.

Copley senior Heather Arison won the individual title Tuesday by shooting a 1-over-par 73 at Barberton Brookside Country Club in Norton.

Carly Arison, last season’s Suburban champion at Good Park Golf Course, placed second with a 79.

The Arison twins led the Indians to their fourth consecutive Suburban League title under the
guidance of coach Bill Rhoades.

“Four in a row is pretty awesome,” Rhoades said. “I was pleased with the way we played. We had been struggling as a team lately. I thought today we kind of brought everything together. It was nice to see their hard work pay off.”

Heather Arison parred 11 holes and birdied three: Nos. 2, 3 and 16. Carly Arison also had 11 pars and birdied No. 10.

Indians junior Molly Leonard (85) placed third with eight pars. Leonard said she is battling a sinus infection and was scheduled to go to the doctor after the meet Tuesday to see if she had mono.

Green (363) placed second, Revere was third (384) and Wadsworth (420) was fourth.

Green senior Amanda Spitzer (86) placed fourth and Bulldogs sophomore Sarah Allred (90) was fifth. Revere junior Hanna Gabriel (91) was sixth.

ED SUBA JR./Akron Beacon Journal

Copley senior Heather Arison tees off at the second hole during the Suburban League Tournament. Arison had the top individual score and helped Copley win its fourth consecutive league title.

The Hudson boys golf team won the Pickerington Fairfield Federal Invitational on Thursday at Turnberry Golf Course.

Hudson senior Isaac Charette shot an eight-under-par 64, which was the best round of the day and earned him medalist honors. Charette’s 64 was a tournament record and the best round of his high school career.

“That the best round I have seen someone shoot in person,” Hudson first-year golf coach Jeff Camp Jr. said. “It was phenomenal. His low before that was a 67. Competitively, that was unbelievable.”

Explorers seniors Kyle Thornton and Matt Roth each shot 77’s and junior J.T. Goodson carded a 78 on the 6,700-yard course.

As a team, Hudson shot 296 and defeated Pickerington North by one stroke. Hilliard Davidson was third with a 300. Cincinnati St. Xavier, Upper Arlington and Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller were tied for fourth with 302.

This was Hudson’s second tournament of the season according to Camp. The Explorers were third recently at the Cleveland St. Ignatius Invitational at Red Tail Golf Club in Avon. Moeller and St. Xavier placed ahead of Hudson at that tournament.

The 70^th annual Good Park Junior Golf Tournament has been completed. Here are the champions of the 36-hole tournament and their scores listed by division:

Note: At J.E. Good Park Golf Course in Akron. Par: 71.

Championship Flight

John Furlong 70-74–144

1st Flight

Steve Bednar 76-73–149

2nd Flight

Zach Seidner 76-77–153

3rd Flight

Reilly Bates 78-74–152

4th Flight (tie)

Steven Sinchok 81-77–158 and Chris Maczko 82-76–158

5th Flight

Riley Pratt 78-77–155

6th Flight (tie)

Kelcey Eberle 81-79–160 and Tom Ribelli 77-83-160

7th Flight

Josh Heckman 78-82–160

8th Flight

Danny Arch 82-85–167

9th Flight

Brandon Proudfoot 85-83–168

10th Flight

Michael Rotilie 84-81–165

Boys 10 and under (18 holes)

Brian Lutz 48-49–97

Boys 11-12

Jake McBride 73-68–141

Girls 16-18

Heather Arison 81-77–158

Girls 15 and under

Tiana Jones 78-72–150

——————————————————————————————

NOTEBOOK

CHAMPION

John Furlong, a recent Medina High School graduate and Ashland University recruit, won the championship flight Friday in his third tournament at Good Park. Furlong shot a 1-under-par 70 on Thursday and a 3-over 74 on Friday to finish with a 36-hole total of 144.

“A lot of good players have won this tournament. There are always good players in this tournament, so I feel like I’ve accomplished something. There are about three or four kids who normally play in this tournament that are over at Westfield right now. But 144, I don’t know how many kids would have beat that, so overall I’m pretty happy.”

CLOSE BEHIND

Paul Doll (148) finished second in the championship flight and Kevin Miller (149) placed third. Doll is a recent graduate of Portsmouth High School in southern Ohio and a Wright State recruit. Miller, 16, is going to be a junior at Garaway High School.

Miller pushed his older counterparts at the top of the championship flight standings. Going into the back-nine of the final round, Miller, who had three birdies, was tied with eventual champion John Furlong.

“I definitely think I could have done better,” said Miller, who was playing in his first tournament at Good Park. “My putting kind of let me down today. Other than that, I’m kind of happy with how I played.”

TWINS TAKE OVER

Twin sisters Heather and Carly Arison, who will be seniors at Copley High School, finished first and second, respectively, in the girls 16-18 division. The Arison twins said they have been playing in the Good Park Junior for six years, and Friday was the first time that they placed first and second in any tournament.

The Arisons led Copley to a second place finish in the state last season. Heather Arison placed 19^th in the state as an individual and Carly Arison was 31^st. The sisters said they are excited about being team leaders during their senior year.

“There are a bunch of girls on our team who are just starting golf, and it’s going to be fun to help them learn the game because that’s what golf is all about,” Carly Arison said.

“We also have Molly Leonard coming back and she’s good,” Heather Arison said. “It will be fun to play with her one more year and we get along with her really well.”

The Arisons said they want to play in college, but they haven’t decided where yet. However, they already decided that they will attend the same school.

LOST LEAD

Mandi Morrow, who will be a senior at Kent Roosevelt High School, finished third behind the Arison twins. Morrow shot a 3-over 74 on Thursday and had a 6-stroke lead entering the final round, but she couldn’t hang on. She shot an 88 on Friday to finish with a 162.

“I wasn’t really doing anything well today,” Morrow said. “I wasn’t getting off the tee very well and my short game wasn’t very solid.”

Morrow, who plays for the boys golf team at Kent Roosevelt, finished in second place last year at Good Park after losing in a playoff against Megan Weaver of Perry High School.

RISING YOUNGSTER

Ian Holt, an 11-year-old from Stow, finished in a three-way tie for third in the first flight. Holt was about four years younger than any other player in the first flight field.

On Thursday, the first 18 holes of the 36-hole Good Park Junior Golf Tournament were played. The second and final round will be held Friday at J.E. Good Park Golf Course in Akron. Here are the division leaders after day one:

Note: par 71 

BOYS

Championship Flight: John Furlong-70 (-1)

1st Flight: J.T. Goodson-69 (-2)

2nd Flight: Dan Fearer-74

3rd Flight: (tie) Reilly Bates and Tyler Krzynowek-78

4th Flight: David Podrasky-79

5th Flight: (tie) Riley Pratt and Garrett Stan-78

6th Flight: Tom Ribelli-77

7th Flight: Josh Heckman-78

8th Flight: Danny Arch-82

9th Flight: Brandon Proudfoot-85

10th Flight: Michael Rotilie-84

11-12 year olds: Chase Johnson-72 

10 and under (9 holes): Brian Lutz-48 

GIRLS

16-18: Mandi Morrow-74

15 and under: (tie) Tiana Jones and Katie Kohut-78

——————————————————————————————

NOTEBOOK

Family tradition 

Although he’s not in the championship flight, J.T. Goodson had the best round of the day with a 2-under 69 to take a 6-stroke lead in the first flight. Goodson is going to be a junior at Hudson High School in the fall. This is his third year competing in the Good Park Junior.

Goodson’s father, John, is the course pro at Lake Forest Country Club in Hudson.

11-year-old phenom

Ian Holt is in a three-way tie for second place in the first flight. Holt shot a 4-over 75 on Thursday.

Holt is an 11-year-old from Stow. The first flight in which he is competing, is composed of a significantly older age group. In the first flight, the next youngest player to Holt is 15.

On Wednesday, 22 players qualified for the championship flight, which will compete in a 36-hole tournament Thursday and Friday.

Here are the players who made the cut and their scores for 18 holes (par 71):

69 (-2): Kyle Bates

72 (+1): Cory Kumpf, Grant Weaver, Kevin Miller, Isaac Charette

73 (+2): John Furlong, Jake Wetzel, Nathan Tarter

74 (+3): Scott Hamlin, Paul Doll, Collin Marozzi, Richie Schembechler, Bryan Mitchell, Jerry Moore

75 (+4): Alex Griffiths, Alex Brinkman, Taylor Feith, Mark Scott

76 (+5): Sean Murphy, Evan McCauley, Ian Cassel, Cody Cutright

——————————————————————————————

I talked to a couple of the players who made the cut for the championship flight.

Jake Wetzel, 17, is going to be a senior at Parma Padua Franciscan High School this fall. This is his fourth year competing in the Good Park Junior. He had three birdies and shot a 73.

This is what he Wetzel to say about his round: “I’ve been playing pretty rough lately, but I’m starting to get a good feel for it now. I’m just taking one shot at a time.”

Cory Kumpf, 18, is a recent graduate of Jackson High School. He had one eagle, two birdies and shot a 72.

“I went bogey, bogey the last two holes, so it kind of killed me,” said Kumpf, who is competing in his first Good Park Junior. “Besides that I played pretty good.”

Kyle Bates, 18, a recent graduate of Avon Lake High School shot a 2-under 69 in the qualifying round.

“I was pretty happy with it,” Bates said. “I’ve been playing horribly lately. I was struggling to shoot in the 70s.”

But Bates, a four-year letterwinner, two-year captain and second-team All-Ohio selection was on fire Wednesday. The Denision University recruit made seven birdies including the par-4 No. 1, par-5 No. 2, par-3 No. 4, par-5 No.5, par-4 No. 7, par-4 No. 12 and par-3 No. 13.

——————————————————————————————

GOOD PARK GIRLS

The girls divisions did not play Wednesday because early-morning thunderstorms delayed play, and the girls’ flights were already determined.

However, twin sisters Heather and Carly Arison were practicing putting and chipping for a couple hours late Wednesday afternoon at Good Park. The two rising seniors at Copley High School helped the Indians golf team finish second at the state tournament last season.

Heather and Carly finished third and fourth, respectively, at Good Park last year. With the absence of last year’s top two girls finishers (Megan Weaver and Mandi Morrow), the twins said they expect one of them to win the tournament.

Another sister tandem from Copley will also be at Good Park. Elisa, a recent Copley graduate, and Molly, who is going to be a junior at Copley, are scheduled to compete with the rest of the girls’ field Thursday and Friday.

I arrived at the 70th annual Good Park Junior at 11 a.m. Wednesday and Larry Zimmerman, tournament manager and Good Park general manager, told me I was about five hours early.

That’s because early-morning thunderstorms in Akron delayed the start of the tournament by at least a couple hours.

The first group was scheduled to tee off at 7 a.m. That same group was making the turn at about 11:15 a.m.

Stay tuned for more updates.

July has arrived and that means some of the best young golfers from the area will get their chance to shine in local tournaments.

Some of the top young golfers in the country will compete in the 32nd annual Westfield Junior PGA Championship, which will run Wednesday through Saturday.

The 70th annual Good Park Junior, which will be held Wednesday through Friday, will feature some of the area’s best young talent and will offer more of a local field than the Junior PGA.

I will be covering Good Park in Akron. Michael Beaven will be covering the Junior PGA in Medina county. Here is a link to a story by the Beacon Journal’s Tom Gaffney about the formats and differences between the two local tournaments.

Check back for tournament updates later this week.