State track and field: Oberlin girls defend two relay titles, finish third in Division V

The Oberlin girls made county history last year when they became the first Lorain County track team, girls or boys, to win two relay events at the same state meet. They duplicated the feat Friday, defending state titles in the 800-meter and 400-meter relays. Senior Alyssa Webb, senior Aubrey Abeyta, sophomore Cayman Noble and senior Olivia Hudson first defended Oberlin's 800 title with a time of 1:42.08 in Division V. Columbus Grove was second in 1:43.05. Freshman De'Shyana Freeman, Noble, Abeyta and Webb came back just over 20 minutes later to help defend the 400 relay title with a time of 48.76. Columbus Grove was again second with a time of 49.60. Webb opened the meet by finishing second in the 100 behind Yellow Springs senior Linyah Grant, 12.35-12.66. Grant entered the state meet as the No. 1 seed (12.07) while Webb came in as the No. 10 seed (12.72). "I was hoping that my teammates and I could go out with a bang, so it's really surreal," said Webb. "I definitely did not think we would be standing here (as two-time champs)." Enjoying her last high school state meet, Webb relished sharing the podium with her teammates. "It was really exciting," she said. "Seeing all the support for us in the stands makes me really happy inside. We work really hard at practice and do a lot of short-leg runs. And just being here helps. It's a big meet to show up to, so you really want to be your best." There is a bond between the Phoenix seniors. "We've been running together for four years now and have such a close friendship," she said. "I think that's helped a lot with our chemistry and, honestly, our handoffs. Both of them are amazing people and super nice." Between the 800 relay and the 1,600 relay, Hudson finished third in the 400 (56.67) behind Tiffin Calvert senior Emily Miller (55.92) and Kalida senior Lauren Ledick (56.66). Hudson placed sixth in 200 (25.74), which featured Cincinnati Christian senior Serena Cyprien (25.42) and Grant (25.56) in the top two. Oberlin capped the day with an eighth-place finish by Abeyta, Petzak, Hudson and Noble in the 1,600 relay (4:05.10). Columbus Grove won the event in 3:55.56 with Minster second (3:59.53). The Phoenix finished third in the team standings with 38 points, placing behind Columbus Grove (59) and Minster (44.5). "I was making sure I put everything into what I did on the track," said Hudson. "It's definitely difficult, but I want to give everything I have for my team." And just like it was for Webb and Abeyta, it was an emotional time for Hudson in her fourth and final state meet. "We're really close," said Hudson. "We've been with each other since seventh grade and get along well." Hudson earned a total of 11 All-Ohio honors during her career, including four times in the 400 and three times in 200. Webb and Abeyta each earned All-Ohio six times. "I'm very proud of them. They accomplished a lot this year," said Oberlin coach Rodney Hooks. "Winning back-to-back districts, winning the regional meet and getting down to the state meet with a team in six events, and winning the 400 relay and 800 relay. It didn't pan out quite the way we wanted, but still to be third in a tough division is a good feeling. It's an accomplishment. "Kudos to my seniors for the job that they've done, just everybody. We had some key first-year runners. This was kind of a surprise to them, just to see the big stage like that. Hopefully, we have some new runners coming in and we'll try to get back at it again next year. We're trying to make it an annual thing." It was also a great day for Open Door Christian junior Paige Pachinger, as she earned Division V All-Ohio twice. Pachinger finished fourth in the 200 (25.87) after earlier placing sixth in the 100 (12.87).