Preview by Eastern High School senior Ryan Scanlon
The Eastern Relays is the premier track meet in the Midwest and attracts talent from all over. Not to be overlooked are the field events, which attracts some of the same level of talent as the running events.
The highlight of the day could be the boy's high jump. Albert Kalala of Withrow (OH) returns to defend his crown after winning with a jump of 6-05 on a rainy day last year. He placed first in the nation at New Balance Outdoors to end the season and comes into the meet hot off of a recent personal record of 7-0, good for seventh in the nation. Challenging Kalala will be Nate Hobbs of Male (KY) who recently jumped 6-8 in his first competition ever. Hobbs is currently tied for 49th in the nation and the two will look to break the meet record of 6-8 set in 2012. On the girl's side, J'Alyeia Smith of Withrow (OH) and Grace Campbell of Murray (KY) lead the way with the top jump of 5-08. They will look to best the meet record of 5-06 set in 2011 and possibly take over the national lead if they can jump 6-0 or higher.
Next up is the girl's pole vault with Kimberly Spritzky of St. Henry (KY) coming in with the top vault of 12-04. Not far behind is Emily Paden of Buckeye Trail (OH) who has a best of 12-00 so far. The girl's will look to best he meet record of 12-9 set in 2013. The boy's side is just as talented with Tony Capploa of Jeffersonville (IN) coming in with a top mark of 15-09, which ranks 35th in the nation, and Dylan Bradshaw of Marion County (KY) who follows with a vault of 15-00. The meet record of 16-0 will be in their minds as they look to cement themselves in the Eastern Relays record books.
In the boy's triple jump, Kyrien Stone of Shelby County (KY) leads the way with a jump of 46-09 followed by Keon Farris of duPont Manual who comes in with a mark of 45-05.75. The boy's will look to best the meet record of 46-10.5 set in 2013. For the girl's, Chimond Vaughn of Male (KY) has the top mark of 37-08 and can best the meet record, of 36-3.25, by over a foot if she is able to follow up with another personal record performance.
The last of the jumps will be the long jump, which figures to be an interesting one. Ojurere Shonekan of Rock Bridge (MO) leads the way with a mark of 18-09.25 followed closely by Niyah Carpenter of Withrow (OH) who comes in with a jump of 18-07.75. the ladies will look to best the meet record of 18-11.25 set in 2014. For the boy's, Antonio Villegas of Floyd Central (IN) comes in with a mark of 23-06.25, over a foot better than the next competitor. The meet record of 22-11.75 looks to be in danger and if Villegas can get a mark of 23-4.5 or better, he will put himself in the top ten in the nation.
Next up is the throws where Bryan Hudson of Scott County (KY) leads the way in the boy's discus with a mark of 193-09, which is 25 feet better than the next competitor. He will look to break the meet record of 193-1 set in 2013 and possibly place himself in the top ten in the nation if he can throw over 200. On the girl's side, Camryn Bowman of Signal Mountain (TN) leads the way with a throw of 136-05.
Last but not least is the shot put. Antoinette Lewis of Harding Academy (TN) leads the way with a throw of 41-11.50. The meet record is 45-2 set in 2014. Once again on the boy's side, Bryan Hudson of Scott County (KY) leads the way with a toss of 59-02.75 followed by Dayna Overton of Jeffersonville (IN) with a throw of 53-05.50. The longest standing boy's meet record looks to be in jeopardy if one can best the mark of 60-1.25 set in 2009.