Springfield senior Alex Gaskins finished runner-up in the 110-meter hurdles in 14.29 and fifth in the 300-meter hurdles in 38.54.
Bass, who won the title in 2009 as a sophomore, was disappointed he didn’t win, but was still pleased to finish on the podium.
“It is what it is,” Bass said. “I’m disappointed that I didn’t win again, but everything doesn’t always go your way. I’m going to come back strong next year.”
Junior Devin Smith of Massillon Washington won with a leap of 23-4.5. It was just the second time in 11 meets Bass lost in the long jump. He also lost at the Roosevelt Memorial at Dayton Welcome Stadium — to an out-of-state competitor from Tennessee.
At the state meet, Bass was hampered by bad technique.
“Every time I was about to hit the board I just kept looking down,” Bass said. “That’s what really hurt me.”
He’s already beginning preparation for next season.
“It’s not that much pressure because I don’t have the bull’s-eye on me,” Bass said. “Next year, I know what I have to work on and come in strong.”
Gaskins was happy to make the podium in two events.
“I’m really grateful,” Gaskins said. “I’m glad God allowed me to run here. I guess I’m satisfied because I know within myself I tried as hard as I could. I prepared all season. It’s a good feeling knowing your hard work gets acknowledged.”
Wayne’s Demoye Bogle won the 110 hurdles in 14.15. Gaskins has never beaten his Greater Western Ohio Conference rival.
“I’ve been in his shadow pretty since the GWOC meet,” Gaskins said. “I have to give him credit; he’s a really amazing athlete.”
The duo combined for 17 points, good enough for 15th place in the team competition.
“It makes me feel good to know Springfield is developing a strong program,” Gaskins said. “I think for a long time Springfield’s been underrated. I think now people are really starting to step up and the combined high school has something to do with it. We’re producing a lot of athletes with people supporting us.”
Other finishers included:
• West Liberty-Salem’s Eric Zirkle was fifth in both the 110-meter (15.16) and the 300 hurdles (39.68).
“I’m pretty happy to be on the podium twice,” Zirkle said. “I wanted a top four finish, but fifth place isn’t too bad. I’ll take it.”
• Southeastern’s Austin Mercer was sixth in the 300 hurdles in 39.95. He had some footwork problems on the second and third hurdles.
“I was in third or fourth for awhile,” Mercer said. “Eric (Zirkle) came from behind and beat me like always. He’s done it for three weeks now.”
• Northeastern freshman Ryan Adkins was 11th in the D-II high jump, clearing 6-0.
“I think I could’ve jumped a little better,” Adkins said. “I couldn’t sleep last night. I was a little nervous, but I think this is going to be a great experience.”
• In the D-III 100, Yellow Springs’ Mario Cosey finished fifth in 11.27. The Bulldogs’ 800 relay team of Cosey, Josh Meadows, Chris Johnson and Logan Norris-Sayres placed eighth in 1:31.96.
“We had really bad hand-offs,” Cosey said. “That’s where we lost it.”
• The Cedarville boys sent two to the podium. Sophomore Zeke Young finished fourth in the D-III 400 in 50.21, while junior Troy Parrett was seventh in the D-III 800 in 1:58.22.
“My goal was to get under 50, but I had a PR (personal-record),” Young said. “Hopefully, next year I can run consistent 49s. I can’t wait. I’m pumped.”
• Joe Webb, who’s been hampered by a knee injury, finished seventh in the D-III 400 in 50.69.
“This morning, I rolled out of bed and couldn’t even tie my shoes,” Webb said. “I did what I could. I was totally expecting to come out here and get last, but to get seventh was all the better.”
Webb was scratched from the 1,600 relay due to the injury. The team of Alex Peoples, Mason Poland, Nick Smith and Aaron Brown finished eighth in 3:36.48.
Teammate Kevin Stewart was 13th in the 3,200 in 10:17.84.
• Logan White was 13th in the D-II discus with a throw of 149-3.
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