ON THE RUN — Catholic Central’s Andrew Rohde competes during Saturday’s state track meet in Columbus. - Kim North

COLUMBUS — Saturday’s 117th Boys and 51st Girls State Track and Field Championships inside Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium on the campus of Ohio State University had several locals vying for the podium.

Several Eastern Ohio athletes had their sights set high to stand atop the awards podium, but that didn’t materialize for one reason or another.

DIVISION II

One of the few who didn’t fall under that category was St. Clairsville pole vaulter Emma Crum. The junior placed sixth, moving up two spots from 2024, with a 11-foot, 4-inch performance.

“It feels pretty amazing. My personal record is 11-6, so I’m pleased with my effort,” Crum said. “Being here last year really helped me,” she added. “There are a lot more people here today than there were last year.

“They key was running faster and getting a good plant (with my pole),” he said.

Now for the disappointments.

Martins Ferry’s Alana Williams had the fastest qualifying time in the 1600-meter run at 4-minutes, 50.96-seconds. However, she was nearly four seconds slower Saturday with a time of 4:53.17 that was good enough for third.

“Just a bad run today,” Williams noted. “I didn’t really feel that good.”

Then, 55 minutes later, she took to the track in the 800-meter run and placed fifth in 2:13.60, which was nearly three seconds slower than her qualifying time of 2:11.44.

“The 1600 really killed me,” Williams admitted. “So, I just used whatever I had left for the 800.

She ended the day as a two-time all-Ohioan.

Despite her high school season being finished, Williams will continue training for the New Balance Nationals that is being held at Franklin Field in Philadelphia June 19 through the 22.

St. Clairsville’s Brady Blacker had a heartbreaking experience in the 800-meter run. The Red Devils’ senior and East Liverpool’s Julius Jones were in a pack of runners crossing the start-finish line after one lap. However, both got their legs tangled and fell to the track and were not able to finish the race.

“I don’t really know. It’s horrible,” Blacker said while trying to understand how his prep career ended. “There were a bunch of us and … . I don’t know.”

Barnesville’s Aden Zumock was set to run in the 100-meter dash finals on Saturday. He had the eighth fastest qualifying time and would run in Lane 8. However, as fate would have it, he suffered a hamstring injury in his 200-meter preliminary race on Friday and had to pull out of the 100.

Zumock, the District champion in both events, has a history of hamstring problems dating back to his freshman season.

Cambridge senior Zoey Caldwell won the 100-meter hurdles in 14.28. She is the granddaughter of legendary Beallsville football coach, Dave Caldwell.

DIVISION II

Steubenville Catholic Central’s Andrew Rohde also earned a pair of all-Ohioan honors in the 1600- and 3200-meter runs. The Crusaders’ senior was second in the 3200 in 9:12.94, finishing just behind White Oak senior Landen Eyre who led from the start and clocked out in 9:12.46.

“I didn’t qualify last year so placing second this year is quite a reward,” Rohde said.

Rohde actually took the lead with about 200 meters to go, but Eyre had a stronger kick down the stretch.

“I’ve run against him for several years now and I know he has a really good kick,’ Rohde explained. “I tried to take him in the final 200, but it didn’t work for me. Hopefully, we’ll compete against each other in college and I’ll get another chance at him.”

Rohde, who will continue his college career at Ohio State, finished third in the 1600 in a personal-record time of 4:12.72.

“I got second last year but I ran faster this year, so I’ve got to look at the positives,” he said. “I just need to continue looking at the future. I’m healthy.”

DIVISION I

Big Red’s Bri Hudson reached the podium in the girls discus throw with a mark of 142-00, good enough to earn the sophomore a third place finish.