Girls state track: Mission accomplished with two podium trips for Highland's Sierra Podolan

DAYTON — Sierra Podolan never hesitated when asked what her primary goal was for this season. The Highland standout aimed to qualify for the Division I state track and field meet in both the shot put and discus. Not only did she accomplish the feat, she earned medals with top-eight finishes in each event Saturday. Podolan finished sixth in her signature event, the shot put with a top heave of 39 feet, 0.25 inches, and was seventh in the discus with a best effort of 129-9. She is the first Medina County thrower to double-medal since Medina's Carolyn Wilder from 2014-17. "Two medals definitely feels pretty nice, especially in the discus because I didn't make it here the last two years when I competed in the shot," the Bowling Green signee said. "I wanted to do better in the shot and improve from last season, but I am proud of my day." It was a long day for Podolan, one of just five athletes to advance to Dayton in both events. She placed sixth in the shot put for the second straight season, becoming the first member of the Hornets to go back-to-back at state since 800-meter ace Natalie Zidd in 2009-10. Podolan also is the first Highland girl with multiple individual medals in a meet since Carrie Headrick in the hurdles in 1993. The top eight finishers receive the honor. "I am grateful for the four years I've spent at Highland, so that means a lot to me," she said. "I will be back to support my teammates and help them any way I can." The shot put was held inside Welcome Stadium, adjacent to the track, during the morning D-II running finals. She moved into third on her second throw and was fifth entering the last round of the final, when Boardman's Sarah Bero moved past her by 1.5 inches. In the afternoon, Podolan ventured 8/10ths of a mile down the road for the discus, which took place in a field in front of the parking lot at a major chain hotel. Falcons assistant coach Marcus Myers was with her every step of the way. "The weather was good and Coach Marcus was super fun to talk to, as always," the three-year state qualifier said. "I did not want to throw the disc in the rain, so being a little warm was fine with me." Cloverleaf senior Riley Evans won the school's first crown, taking the 400 with a thrilling stretch run in 55.56, and fellow four-time state participant Lauren Dawson of Medina also earned a second medal. Dawson was fifth in the 100 hurdles in 15.06, three years after placing eighth in the event. She also participated in the long jump, winding up 17th at 16-1, to complete her time with the Bees with six total state bids. "Lauren has been a joy to coach the last four years and is someone who always asked questions on how she could improve," Medina assistant coach Scott VanFleet said. "And you know what? She's been an even better teammate." Brunswick senior Ella Daddario, who was a mid-distance runner in 2023, peaked at the perfect time and finished eighth in the 3,200 with a career-low 10:57.98. She picked off ninth-place Natalie Fouts of Dublin Jerome and 10th-place Efa Paschka of Mason over the final 300 meters. "I was so happy to be here, to be part of this incredible energy in the stadium and had no expectations," Miami (Ohio) recruit Daddario said. "But when we got to the final lap, I was able to count the girls in front of me and thought, 'Oh, I've got to go.' Being eighth was amazing." Blue Devils sophomore Zaria Roberts made her last attempt in the long jump prelims count, seizing a spot in the final at 17-3.75. She briefly was in eighth place before finishing ninth, which she counted as a big success after not moving past districts as a ninth grader. "Honestly, I was really nervous before all of my jumps," said Roberts, who was fourth in her semifinal flights. "I was surprised I held onto my (top-nine) position and made the finals, so that was great. The whole experience was a lot of fun." Brunswick junior Amber Kemmann was 12th in the 3,200 in 11:10.90 and Blue Devils senior Emma Bradbury placed 16th in the 1,600 in 5:31.53. Bradbury and Daddario ran on the 12th-place 4x800 on the opening night of action. Contact Brian Dulik at sports@medina-gazette.com.