MANSFIELD — Ava Bowman kept her promise Saturday afternoon.
Shelby’s senior sprinter broke the school record in the 200 meter dash during the 92nd Mehock Relays, winning in 25.57 seconds.
It was one of three Mehock golds for Bowman, who told teammate Brayden DeVito earlier in the week she was gunning for Tiffany Adkins’ 2003 mark of 25.74 seconds.
DeVito was the first to congratulate Bowman after she descended the podium.
“I’ve been eyeing it for a while, since my sophomore year,” said Bowman, who also struck Mehock gold in the 100 and as the anchor of Shelby’s 4×100 relay team. “I’m really excited to be in the spot where I am right now.”
As a sophomore, Bowman placed fifth at state in the 100 and was a member of Shelby’s 4×100 team that finished sixth. She lost almost her entire junior season to a hamstring injury.
“It’s just really a blessing to be here and be able to run,” Bowman said. “Last year, I couldn’t have said that.
“I definitely feel like I’m all the way back.”
Bowman won the 100 in 12.23 — .05 off her school record of 12.18 set at the 2023 state meet. She teamed with Princess Timko, Ashley Montgomery and Madison Henkel to win the 4×100 in 49.76. The same quartet broke the school record at Thursday’s Ontario Relays.
Timko and Henkel were both double-winners Saturday. Timko won the 300 hurdles in 47.70, while Henkel defended her Mehock long jump title with a winning leap of 18 feet, 7.25 inches.
A junior, Timko only recently began running the 300s. Her time of 47.70 ranks second in Shelby history.
“This is the first year I’ve tried it,” Timko said. “The first time I ran a 51 and the second time I ran a 49. Today I ran a 47.”
As for Henkel, the junior came within inches of matching her school record of 18-9.5, set at last year’s Mehock Relays.
“That’s only my second time jumping. I jumped 17-4 last week,” Henkel said. “I feel like I’m definitely ahead of last year.”
The strong showings by Bowman, Timko and Henkel powered Shelby to the girls team title. The Whippets won with 137 points. Ashland (131.5) was second and Clear Fork (79) was third.
Among other north central Ohio squads, Crestview was fifth (44), Colonel Crawford sixth (37), Galion seventh (29.5), Madison eighth (29), Ontario 12th (9), Plymouth and Crestline tied at 13th (6), Mansfield Senior and St. Peter’s tied at 15th (5).
Ashland’s Kelsey Kaeser swept the throws. The junior won the shot with a throw of 34-9 and took the discus with a toss of 110-3.
Clear Fork had a quartet of double-winners. Asia Bechtel won the high jump with a leap of 5-2 and teamed with Taylor Richmond, Eliana Pelkey and Taylor Bly to win the 4×200. Richmond, Pelkey and Bly were members of the winning 4×400 team, along with Quinn Stover.
Complete results can be found at SpeedySneakers.com.
Lexington boys repeat
In boys action, Lexington defended its team title with 116 points. Ashland was runner-up with 93 points.
Among north central Ohio teams, Clear Fork was fifth (43.5), Crestview sixth (38), Shelby 11th (25), Madison 13th (19.5), Mansfield Senior 14th (18), Ontario 15th (15), and Galion 18th (4).
Latrell Hughes was a triple-winner for the Minutemen. The junior defended his Mehock title in the 400, winning in 48.21. Hughes teamed with brother Dantrell Hughes, Bryston Hess and Will Perkins to win the 4×200 in 1:28.74. He joined forces with Hess, Chance Basilone and Nathan Reed to win the 4×400 in 3:23.71.
Basilone was a member of Lexington’s winning 4×800 relay team, along with Gage Devaney, Lincoln Rice and John Bartone. The quartet won in 8:11.53.
Crestview’s Liam Kuhn repeated as the Mehock pole vault champ. The junior won with a vault of 14-6.
“I’m vaulting well. I’ve gotten 15 twice this year outdoor, which is good,” Kuhn said. “I had a PR of 15-3 at Ontario on Thursday, so I’m right around where I want to be.”
Ashland’s Jayden Goings won the 300 hurdles in 40.56 after finishing runner-up to Shelby’s Gavin Baker in the 110s. Baker won in 15.19, while Goings finished in 15.23.
“I felt great. My mindset going into it was to attack,” Goings said. “I haven’t really been focusing on the 110s. I’ve got to get my start down for the 110s and that’s a different race.”
Baker winning time was well off his gold medal performance at the Madison Invitational (14.74).
“I feel like I was really messy today,” Baker said. “I didn’t really have a good day.
“It’s so early in the season, so overall I fee good where I’m at.”
Complete results can be found at SpeedySneakers.com.