Cougar tracksters bound for OHSAA state

VW independent sports

PIQUA — There won’t be a shortage of Van Wert Cougars at this week’s state track and field meet in Columbus.

The 4×400 meter relay team of Trey Laudick, Nate Phillips, Gage Springer and Connor Pratt won the Division II regional championship at Piqua on Saturday, finishing with a time of 3:23.89. The 4×200 team of Pratt, Phillips, Nate Jackson and Trey Laudick claimed a regional title as well, winning in 1:29.83. They’ll join the 4×800 team (Gage Wannemacher, Laudick, Springer, Hunter Sherer), who won the regional title on Friday.

In addition, Laudick finished fifth in the 400 meter dash (50.38) and claimed an at-large spot at the state meet.

Not to be outdone, the girls 4×200 team of Kendra Deehring, Macy Johnson, Danesha Branson and Sofi Houg won the regional championship in a school record time of 1:44.61. Deehring also advanced in the 100 meter dash by placing fourth (12.86), and Mia Rager moved on to state in the long jump with a third place finish (16-05).

The Cougars finished fourth among boys teams and the girls placed 11th out of 42 teams.

The state track and field meet will be held June 3-4 at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.