HILLIARD, Ohio -- Junior Sam Coleman was the vanguard of the three-Pirate assault at the DI Ohio Track & Field Championships concluded Saturday. Coleman carded a podium finish, placing eighth in the the girls' 1600-meter run.

With Coleman's performance in the 1600, the Rocky River girls' team was one of 71 teams to score a point in the Friday-Saturday meet at Hilliard Darby High School. The junior speedster, who won swept the 800, 1600, and 3200 in the Great Lakes Conference Championships last month (May 14) and earned two gold medals (800, 1600) in the May 7 Bell Invitational, clocked a final time of 5:05.42 in her point-scoring charge.

Senior Keira Vesy also competed for the girls' squad Saturday. The multi-sport talent (soccer) capped off her fine spring by placing 14th (2:19.39) in the 800-meter run.

The River boys were represented by senior Chase DeClerck, who took 15th in the 1600. DeClerck -- also a soccer standout for the Pirates -- finished his four-lap event in 4:20.69.

Columbus Pickerington North won the state title on the boys' side. Mentor won the championship on the girls' side.

The state meet -- which dates back to 1908 -- marked the close of the season for the Pirates. And it has been another successful season for the twin programs sporting Maroon & White. Both Rocky River teams won their fifth straight GLC championships in 2021. And both sent determined, powerful runners to the Buckeye State meet.

The combined 2-1/2 miles of Saturday competition runs by Coleman, Vesy, and DeClerck were preceded by miles and miles of training, much muscle soreness, and a continued push to succeed. Every step was key: the last step by Coleman was to a podium. For Vesy and DeClerck, their final strides across the finish line -- across state lines -- were on a stage befitting their tremendous high school athletic careers.  

And the saying about high school years certainly applies to this Pirate trio: it goes fast.



by Skip Snow

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