New LHS School Track Record; Comeback Wins on the Diamond; and Football Fundraiser

Senior Lauren Lowell running the last leg of a relay for the Rangers.

Spring high school sports season is in full swing, so here are updates on many of our local teams:  

TRACK AND FIELD

* Lakewood junior sprinter Jordan Robinson broke two school records in April.  She ran a 12.55 in the 100 meter dash on April 5th in a home meet against Westlake and Avon Lake. On April 8 she improved the record with a 12.15 against John Marshall at First Federal Lakewood Stadium.  The previous school record (12.65) was set by April Yachanin in 1999.There was no tailwind on the 8th, so LHS Girls Track coach Stephanie Toole believes that Robinson can break 12 with some good technique work.

*LHS hosted the 36th annual at First Federal Stadium on April 13th. Ranger highlights included: third place finish in the girls 800 sprint medley; second place in the boys 4x200 meter relay; and third place in girls shot put relay.  

*The Ranger boys track team traveled to Midview High School on April 11 and emerged as the team winner of a three-way meet. LHS scored a total of 64 points, followed by Midview with 60, and North Olmsted with 54 points.

SOFTBALL

 *Rainy weather in early spring caused the softball field at Harding Middle School to be unplayable for many days. As a result, the LHS softball team played on the road for the first two weeks of the season. They finally played their first home game on April 13, defeating North Ridgeville in a walk-off thriller. Audra Tutela had a home run, and Hailey Owens had a double in the 7th inning, eventually scoring the winning run. The Rangers got another 7th inning win on April 14th, as Maggie Sonneson scored on a two out single by Maizy Cunningham. Lakewood will play four games from April 19 to 21 in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee during spring break.           

BASEBALL

*The LHS baseball team also enjoyed some home cooking on April 13 and 14, winning a pair of comeback games on their home field.  The Rangers earned a 5-4 extra inning win over North Ridgeville on the 13th.  Junior Joe Byczek drew a bases loaded, two out walk in the eight for the winning run. Juniors Jared Naida and sophomore Armani Adames each had two hits and key stolen bases. Sophomore James Morrissey, Lakewood’s starting pitcher, went six strong innings, allowing just two runs. Lakewood repeated the feat the following night, defeating Fairview 7-6 in an extra innings comeback win.  The wins evened the Rangers season record at 6-6. The Rangers next home game is against Berea-Midpark Wednesday afternoon at 4:30 pm.  

*Like the Rangers, St. Edward had a 6-6 record through its first 12 games. They now travel to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where they will play five games from April 18 to April 22. They will face teams from New York state, New Jersey, as well as Marietta (Ohio) and Toledo St. John’s.

FOOTBALL

*New Lakewood head coach Tom Hannan is settling into his new job. Since his hiring, the team has already done over nine weeks of lifting and conditioning. The program will have a fundraiser with Angelo's Pizza on April 26th.  

Mike Deneen

Mike Deneen has extensive experience covering sports and community stories for the Lakewood Observer. Mike has been a Senior Industry Analyst for the Freedonia Group in Cleveland, Ohio, since 1998. He has appeared on CNBC’s Closing Bell, NPR’s MarketPlace and has been quoted multiple times in The Wall Street Journal. He has made multiple guest appearances on ESPN Cleveland radio. Mike also writes for Inside Northwestern, a website that covers Northwestern Wildcat Athletics. You can reach him on Twitter at @MikeDeneen1 

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Volume 13, Issue 9, Posted 11:25 PM, 04.16.2017