Local athletes do well

By Gregg Rettig

Managing Editor

Jonathan Alder’s Cassie Beachy finished ninth in the girls Division II long jump competition during the state championships.

COLUMBUS — All in a day’s work.

Jonathan Alder senior Cassie Beachy placed ninth during the Division II state track and field championships Saturday at Ohio State. Three hours later, she and her classmates graduated.

“Overall, I was happy to make it this far,” Beachy said after she finished ninth overall with a best jump of 16-02.25 in the long jump competition. “I’m glad to be here and have this experience. I can say I made it to the finals and that’s cool.”

Beachy was sporting socks that had “I made it” stitched in them. They socks were intended to have a graduation message, but they also could have been interpreted that she made the final field in the long jump competition.

While Beachy was jumping Saturday morning, fellow Pioneer Emma Daugherty was competing in the state pole vault. Daugherty finished 14th overall with a best mark of 9-6.

Five hours later, Sarra Taylor scored Madison County’s top performance in the Division II state championships when she finished fourth in the 3,200. with her time was 11:11.73.

London senior Kevin Swartz finished 12th in the Division II 1,600 on Saturday. His mark was 4:43.32.

“It means a lot to be at state,” Swartz said. “It’s bitter-sweet. I’m glad to be at state, but it’s also the last race I’m going to race for London.”