Margaretta boys finish historic run atop podium

COLUMBUS — No boys program at Margaretta had won a state championship since 1932. Coming up on nearly a century, the Polar Bears shook that statistic Friday. A full team effort led Margaretta to the Division IV state track & field championship at Jesse Owens Stadium on the campus of Ohio State University. "I don't know how to describe the feeling, but there's no better feeling," Polar Bears coach Kasey Haerr said. "I think we knew all along these guys were the ones that were going to get it done." The Polar Bears finished with 44 team points while Gilmour Academy was runner-up with 40. "It's been a special group all year," Margaretta coach Lucas Poggiali said. "It's been a complete group all year. As the year has gone on, the kids have gotten closer and closer. For them to have this moment together and do something that's never been done in the history of Margaretta track is an unreal feeling." Margaretta did work in the 4x200 and 4x100 relays late to propel itself to the top of the standings. Needing to be perfect to win a relay championship, the Polar Bears had a not-so-perfect handoff that cost them in the 4x200. The group of Kale Bailey, Carter Luzader, Zack Bouy and Julian Washington finished second in a time of 1:27.84. "I think it's one of the best relays," Poggiali said. "They shattered the school record and it's one of the fastest groups we've ever had here. I think they're feeling a lot better now that they're state champions. I'm proud of those guys." Cardinal Mooney won in 1:27.75 while Huron was third in 1:27.90. "It's a bittersweet feeling," said Washington, who nearly chased Mooney down in the final 50 meters. "Obviously second sucks because we were right there. It's a great feeling, though, to have a PR with our fastest time." In the 4x100, the quartet of Bouy, Luzader, Mason Reinbolt and Bailey took third in a season-best 42.62 seconds. Gilmour won in 42.27 while Liberty-Benton was runner-up in 42.37. "The team that won ran a great race," Haerr said. "We also ran a great race. Our handoffs were perfect. I don't think there's really anything we could have changed about that race." One day removed from finishing fourth in the 3200, Cole Zang took fourth in the 1600 final in 4:16.22. "It feels pretty good, I'd say," Zang said. "I definitely could have went out faster and probably could have gotten a better place if I wanted to." Bailey was fourth in the long jump final. He qualified for state last year in the long jump, but three fouls in as many jumps sent him home motivated for this year's event. "It means a lot as a junior," Bailey said. "I'm looking forward to getting after it next year. My goal was to get a mark and beat (older brother) Tate (Bailey), because he got eighth last year." Bailey's top jump came in at 21 feet, 9.25 inches. Adena's Joey Francis won with a leap of 22-3.25. "It was hotter than I expected," Bailey said. "I had to move my steps back 4 1/2 feet to get a mark. It was a different day." Joining Bailey on the podium in field events for the Polar Bears was sophomore Jace Berg, who took fourth in the discus with a top mark of 175-10. "I was feeling really good throughout the day," Berg said. "I've done a lot of preparing the last few days, getting up and throwing at 9 a.m. just like when I was competing. I've stayed out of the sun. Coming into it, I did a lot of dry runs last night with a heavy ball in my hand." Berg advanced to the final, but his final throw got him into the upper echelon of the standings. "They were huge, especially going into finals," Haerr said. "They were both ranked sixth, but we told them what they needed to do. They needed to be fourth or higher and they did just what we needed them to do." Everything got started Thursday when Jake Bouy won a state championship in the high jump. "As we're seeing these really good performances and the kids are fired up — we always thought we could do this — but as it's happening, it started to come together," Poggiali said. It all led to the Polar Bears standing atop the podium after the final events concluded. "To be a state champion is something you always kind of dream about," Poggiali said. "For it to happen this way with this group, I don't think it could have been any better. "Margaretta is a special place and I've only been here for two years. In the two years I've been here, I've had more joy coaching than I've ever thought I could experience."