Highland thrower Sierra Podolan chooses Bowling Green

GRANGER TWP. — Sierra Podolan has excelled in the classroom and as a thrower for the Highland girls track team. That combination made her an ideal recruit for Division I Bowling Green. Two-time state qualifier Podolan has accepted an academic and athletic scholarship from the Falcons, who won the recruiting battle for her skills over Ohio State and West Point. "I picked the Falcons because Coach Marcus (Myers) and the team are incredible people, and the campus is close to home," she said. Polodan, who leads Medina County in both the shot put and discus for the second year in a row, finished sixth in the shot at the 2023 Division I state meet. She also qualified in the event as a sophomore. Bowling Green initially contacted her last season with throws coach Myers — a five-time D-II national qualifier at Walsh University — laying out his goals for her. They matched her ambitions. Once Podolan familiarized herself with the school's academic strengths, she eagerly committed. "I will be majoring in pre-nursing and minoring in business," she said. First, though, Podolan will take part in her final high school postseason. She hopes to extend her Highland records of 42 feet, 2.75 inches in the shot and 146-1 in the discus. The two-time All-Gazette selection is having her best year to date and swept the throwing events at the Suburban League American Conference Meet for the second straight season. She joined a small list of four-time champions in the shot earlier this week, giving her six total SL crowns. Next up is the Brunswick D-I District, where Podolan is the defending double-champion, then the Amherst Regional, where she placed second in the shot and 11th in the discus. "I want to make it back to state, this time in both events," she said. "That would be a great way to end my senior year." Contact Brian Dulik at sports@medina-gazette.com. Follow @BrianDulik on X.