The Streetsboro boys track and field team finished fifth with 67 points at the eight-team Aurora Invitational April 25.

Aurora won the competition with 126 points and Chagrin Falls (111) and
Garrettsville James A. Garfield (84) finished second and third, respectively.

Cory Lanterman won the 400-meter race with a time of 50.14 seconds and the 200 (22.62). Kasey Schwing won the 100 (11.23) and placed second in the 200 (22.67).

Others Rockets who placed in the top six were the following:

400 relay team: Mike Moore, Brandon Richardson, Jarred Seligman and Schwing, third, 45.28

Long jump: Moore, fourth, 19 feet, 10 inches

Discus: Jason Bennison, second, 117-2.5

Shot put: Jason Tibbs, third, 42-8; and Bennison, fourth, 42-7

The Rockets also lost a 65-63 decision to Portage Trail Conference County Division rival East Canton April 22.

The following Streetsboro athletes placed in the top three in their events:

Shot put: Tibbs, second

110 hurdles: Moore, second; and Justin Sabol, third

Long jump: Moore, first, 20-4.5; and Jack Lewis, third

High jump: Moore, first, 6-0

100: Lanterman, first, 11.1; and Schwing, second

800 relay: Richardson, Seligman, Nick Wiseman and Schwing, first, 1:39.6

1,600: Matt Melice, third

400 relay: Richardson, Moore, Seligman and Schwing, first, 45.5

400: Lanterman, first, 50.0; and Jan Sohlmann, second

300 hurdles: Wiseman, second; and Leon Hedgepeth, third

800: Melice, third

200: Lanterman, first, 22.5; Schwing, second; and Seligman, third

"Although it didn't show in the final results, we saw major improvement from our distance program," said Streetsboro head coach Tom Fesemyer. "There were numerous personal- and season-best performances against East Canton.

"Even though East Canton is known for its distance program, coach Rob Kidd had our distance athletes ready both physically and mentally," he added. "These guys really stepped up to the plate and performed. Those kind of performances will pay dividends at the PTC league meet.

"These athletes continue to train and work hard and all that hard work is beginning to pay off with better performances," Fesemyer said. "Matt Melice was just flat out impressive as he continues to improve every time he steps onto the track."

The Rockets still had some key athletes banged up.

"Just once this season, I would like to run our guys' team at full strength," Fesemyer said. "The injury bug definitely played a role in this loss and continues to impact our season. We are still are without Erik Howard and Mario Valenti and Brett Nola is hampered with a minor hamstring problem.

"Cory Lanterman ran well and he looks to be back and running healthy again," he added. "Kasey Schwing looked very impressive. Mike Moore broke the 20-foot barrier in the long jump and went 6 feet in the high jump. You can't really get any closer in a track meet without a tie. We needed a break and just couldn't catch one against a talented East Canton team."

The County Division title may be out of the picture, but the coach has other goals.

"I told the team that we can still help to determine the league champ," Fesemyer said. "We just need all of our horses healthy for the league meet and the impact of this team will be felt. So we are resting people and trying to get them healthy for that point in the season."

Streetsboro was set to visit Ravenna to compete against County foes Garfield and Atwater Waterloo April 29. Results were not available at press time.

The Rockets are scheduled to compete at the Mogadore Relays May 2 at 3:45 p.m. before returning to Ravenna to face County rival Rootstown May 6 at 4 p.m.

-- From staff reports

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