Wildcats state-champion speedster: ‘I wanted to put Springfield track back on the map’

Quincy Scott couldn’t follow up on Springfield coach Michael Davis’ urging to get his start right in the 100 meters during Saturday’s state track and field meet. But he had no problem heeding his father’s advice.

“My dad kept telling me, it’s time to make history,” said Scott.

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He did that and more. Scott became only the second Springfield High School boys 100 winner at state and added two seconds and a fifth to super-charge the Wildcats to third place among Division I boys.

That was just part of a spectacular effort by Springfield-area participants in the second and final day of the state meets at Ohio State University’s Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.

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The boys team winners in the 111th event were Pickerington Central (D-I), Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy (D-II) and East Canton (D-III). It was the 44th annual running for the girls, with Gahanna Lincoln (D-I), Beachwood (D-II) and Minster (D-III) all winning team titles.

Scott revved up for his record-setting day after fading to fifth in the long jump (23 feet, five inches). That wasn’t supposed to happen because he was the defending D-I state runner-up in the event. Instead, Centerville rival Yariel Soto flew 24-2.75 on his final attempt to win.

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“I had to take my mind off of that and do my thing in the 100,” said Scott.

But first he had to overcome a start that seemed mired in mud. Left in the blocks, he was still near last 20 meters into the race. Then the magic kicked in. He quickly overcame most of the field and sped ahead in the final strides to win in a career-best 10.66.

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The only other Springfield boys 100 winner was Lamar Payne of North in 1982 (10.85). That was just as significant because Payne had languished in fourth in the event in the Western Ohio League meet that year.

Scott also was second in the 200 by a blink (21.39) and anchored the 4x100 relay to another photo finish runner-up (41.80). Also on the relay were Austin Tyree, Jacob Yost and Mike Brown.

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Placing third was the Wildcats’ best showing in what should be considered the modern era. Centerville was second. Springfield High won boys state track titles in 1957-58 and was runner-up four times, the last in 1960.

“That’s what I wanted to do, put Springfield track back on the map,” Scott said. “I’ve been working four years for this. Going down as one of the best track and field athletes at Springfield, that’s mean a lot. I’m going to Tiffin University and hopefully I’ll leave my mark there when I graduate.”

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Tyree also was seventh in the 300 hurdles (38.66).

• Sophomore Delaney Benedict has a spot in Greenon history after placing second in the D-II girls 400 (55.92).

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• Shawnee sophomore Robie Glass was the defending D-II state high jump champ and had cleared 6-8 four times this season. However, he placed third (6-5).

He also was seventh in the 200 (22.17) and anchored the 4x400 relay of Balin McGhee, Dylan Holland and Jaren Weller to eighth (3:23.44).

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• Another sophomore, distance standout Addie Engel of Catholic Central, was fourth in the D-III 1,600 (5:05.78) and 3,200 (11:21.76).

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• Also placing seventh was Shawnee senior Grace Holmes in the D-II 1,600 (5:08.03) and Kenton Ridge junior Justin Peterman in the D-II boys high jump (6-4). Shawnee sophomore Jace Mitchem was ninth in the D-II girls pole vault (10-6) and Tecumseh sophomore Kylee Mastin 11th in the D-I 800 (2:15.15).

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