GOLD RUSH: Dalton’s Miller fastest in Ohio in 100-meter dash

Dalton’s Brianna Chenevey places 2nd at the state meet for the 200-meter dash in Division III. (Photo by Randy Fath)

Dalton’s Evan Hodkinson places 4th in the 800-meter at the OHSAA state meet. (Photo by Randy Fath)

Dalton’s Ozzie Miller begins to pull ahead during the 100-meter dash at the state meet. (Photo by Randy Fath)

Dalton’s relay team of Adam Marthey, Ozzie Miller, Dillon Horst and Jaiden Malone placed 3rd at the state track and field meet. (PHOTO BY RANDY FATH)

Dalton’s Bailey Chenevey gets ready for her relay race. (PHOTO BY RANDY FATH)

The boys 4×800-meter relay team comprised of Jordan Muth, Lucas Oswald, Mitchell Kutz and Evan Hodkinson came in fifth and broke their own record by nine seconds. (PHOTO BY RANDY FATH)

Dalton’s Brianna Chenevey places second in the 200-meter dash at the state track and field meet Division III. (PHOTO BY GRACE GREER)

A record 16 Dalton athletes and six alternates boarded the bus to the state track and field meet. Community members wished them well including residents at Shady Lawn. 

 

By ARIEL STAHLER
DGKN sports writer

Ozzie Miller’s first-place finish in the 100-meter dash was the icing on the cake for Dalton High School’s fantastic Division III state track and field tournament experience in which the Dawgs broke several records.

“We couldn’t be happier for Ozzie’s first place,” Dalton’s coach Jodi Augspurger said. “He is our first state champion since 2005 when Jake Dalessandro won high jump.”

The tournament was at Westerville North June 4 and 5. Each division was at a separate Central Ohio high school because Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium at The Ohio State University was unavailable because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition to Ozzie Miller’s win, Dalton had much to celebrate. Brianna Chenevey placed second in the girls 200-meter dash. Evan Hodkinson came in fourth place in the boys 800-meter run.

Three of Dalton’s relay teams broke records at the tournament. The boys 4×100-meter relay team of Ozzie Miller, Adam Marthey, Dillon Horst and Jaiden Malone, which placed third at state, broke the record that was set in 2011 by Derek Reinhardt, Gavin Hackett, Will Silvis and Greg Blevins. The boys 4×800-meter relay team comprised of Jordan Muth, Lucas Oswald, Mitchell Kutz and Hodkinson came in fifth and broke their own record by nine seconds. The girls 4×800-meter relay team of Bailey Chenevey, Miki Fath, Emberlynn Nolt and Addesa Miller finished seventh and broke their record by 18 seconds.

Even though temperatures spiked during the tournament, the Dawgs were prepared. Augspurger said the team planned well for the heat and made sure the athletes stayed under tents as much as possible. They also had iced towels for the athletes to use after their races and the coaches stressed the importance of staying hydrated with water.

“We’re really going to miss the seniors,” Augspurger said. “We’ll have a big void to fill with their leadership, time management and commitment.”

Augspurger said the athletes had strong camaraderie and gave each other support.

After he placed first in the 100m and was catching his breath with a cup of water in his hand, Miller noted the “amazing” athletes at the meet and how his strategy was not to do anything differently. He said he focused on doing his “normal thing, watch the guy beside me, and do my best, that’s what I did.”

He said he also prayed a lot before and during the race. “Just ‘I need your help Lord, this is going to be a tough one’,” he said. “I just did my best, worked my best and I’m thankful for God, my coach, my friends, especially Evan coming up to me before the race. Really great words of encouragement and I really appreciate it.”

Ben Nichols, of Wayne County Sports on Instagram, contributed to this report.