Bryan’s Schenkel breaks 200 record for 5th time, bolts to podium finishes at D

COLUMBUS — Bryan's Jolana Schenkel had nerves running through her legs entering Saturday's 100- and 200-meter dash finals at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium in Columbus.

Those nerves didn't stop her, though. She turned those nerves into podium finishes and another school record at the final day of the Division II state track and field meet.

Schenkel bolted to third place in the 200 final, finishing in 24.74 to break the program record for the fifth time since May 12. She secured seventh place in the 100 dash (12.27) to cap off her stellar freshman season and lead area Division II girls athletes on a 90-plus degree Saturday.

"I was nervous because of all the people, not running. And my legs decided to take all of that nervousness and just shake the whole time," Schenkel said. "Could’ve went physically anywhere else. Didn't matter. It could’ve been my arms, my arms could’ve shook. No, my legs had to (shake) today — and I need my legs.

"... It means a lot, because there's several more years in front of me. I made it to podium as a freshman. So, I’m excited — and I want to go home. Even though with the weather, I did better than expected, especially with the lack of water in my body. We didn't pass out, so we’re good."

Schenkel first broke the 200 record during the final day of the Northwest Ohio Athletic League Championships on May 12 (25.31) and set it again twice during the Piqua regional meet on May 24 (25.25) and May 26 (25.01).

She then broke it a fourth time during the first day of the state meet on Friday, turning in a 24.87 for second place in the second heat (second fastest overall). Schenkel also set the 100 record for the second time on Friday during preliminaries (12.15).

"I think I’ve broken my own record one too many times," Schenkel said with a laugh. "It needs to stay in place for a little bit. Just needs to sit there. Maybe like run one race it stays the same and then we break it again. Too many times."

Schenkel didn't know she broke the 200 record again — or what time she had — until way after the podium presentation, however.

She was too focused on trying not to run over four-event winner Marengo Highland senior Juliette Laracuente-Huebner (200, 100 hurdles, high jump, long jump), who fell after crossing the finish line. Schenkel was in lane six and Laracuente-Huebner, who alone put Marengo Highland second in the team standings (40 points), won in lane five.

"I just remember finishing, and I was so worried I was going to run over the girl who got first place (Laracuente-Huebner)," Schenkel said. "I wasn't worried about myself. I was worried about running her over because she fell.

"It was great and we all had a great conversation."

Several other athletes also competed in Saturday's finals.

Wauseon senior Grace Rhoades and Bryan sophomore Kate Thormeier finished 13th and 14th, respectively, in the 1,600.

Rhoades, who advanced to state in the 3,200 last year, finished in 5:17.70. Thormeier, a two-time 1,600 state participant, crossed the finish line in 5:20.03. Rhoades also went from 13th to 10th during the third leg before falling back down to 13th, while Thormeier hovered around 11th through 14th the entirety of the race.

Indians junior Teagan Rupp was 14th in the pole vault (10-10) and 17th in the long jump (16-3.25), while Wauseon senior Hayley Meyer took 16th in the shot put with a 34-11.5 on her third and final throw.

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