Girls state track: Brunswick 4 x 400 advances to finals

COLUMBUS — Zaria Roberts, Olivia Komperda, Maggie Romano and Kaila Peterson came through in the clutch, ending a rough day on a high note for Medina County. The Brunswick quartet finished second in its heat and second overall in the 4x400-meter relay preliminaries Friday, advancing to the finals at the Division I state girls track meet. Seniors Komperda and Romano, junior Roberts and freshman Peterson were timed in 3:53.25, crossing the line 0.24 behind top-seeded Pickerington North. They were the only county athletes to move past the semifinals and will compete for a state title this evening at Jesse Owens Stadium. "We had a lot of goals coming in, and this was a big one," Romano said. "Watching everyone come through, one after another, was really special." Roberts took the lead during her leadoff leg and Komperda extended it. Romano was a strong third when she handed off to Peterson, who shot past Twinsburg's Teighlor Humbert in the final 10 meters to gain the second automatic finals berth. "We had momentum from the start with Zaria. No backing down today," Komperda said. "It's all confidence and passion. All of us love the sport so much, and it carries onto the track." Roberts agreed, saying, "I feel like we all push each other and are there for each other, no matter what." Romano and Peterson both made their state debuts, competing in multiple relays. Though their teammates advised them to prepare for the amped-up atmosphere, seeing was believing. As a result of an early-afternoon weather delay and a later timing-system malfunction, they ran 75 minutes later than scheduled — under the lights — with a crowd that bordered on rowdy at several points. "My whole life, I've been fast, but running middle school track was nothing like this," Peterson said while pointing to the near-capacity stands. "I'm just so happy to be a part of it." Brunswick's time was .05 off its school record and .15 away from matching the county mark by Wadsworth in 2008. "We've still got Saturday," Komperda said, smiling. "We're coming after it tomorrow." One event final, the 4x800, was held in D-I and the Blue Devils were the only county qualifier. Komperda, Kylie Lockwood, Amber Kemmann and Romano finished 13th in 9:34.25. Three-event qualifier Komperda handed off in fourth and Lockwood moved up to third on her first lap before passing the baton in sixth, but they were pushed out of a top-eight position for the remainder of the race. Brunswick, which ran a 9:16.67 at the Port Clinton Regional, was seeking its first trip to the podium in the two-mile relay since 2017. In D-II, Cloverleaf's Brooklyn Cavey, Kayla Shook, Taylor Munchick and Sarah Kelly ran their fastest time of the season in 4x200 at 1:45.70. They peaked at the right meet but fell one spot short of advancing to the final. Two-time qualifiers Shook and Kelly, along with state rookies Cavey and Munchick, wound up 10th in 1:45.70, 0.16 behind Bellevue. "We gave it our all and we had a really good season, but it's a little disappointing not to be moving on," Shook said. The Colts also ran in the 4x100 with Kierston Campbell, Shook, Munchick and Kelly, placing 16th. Pole vaulter Payten Shetterly will complete today as part of the school's largest qualifying group in the post-pandemic era. Campbell and Shetterly also are repping The Leaf in Columbus for the initial time. "The atmosphere was very different and very exciting for me as a freshman," Munchick said. "Now that I've been part of it, I'll be working toward making it back. Hopefully, I can experience it again." The sequence of events before the 4x2 certainly will give junior Shook and Munchick motivation. Leadoff runner Cavey had to wait in her lane for 13 minutes while a timing-system problem was resolved, leaving all the runners on edge. Halfway around the track, all of the second legs were told by an official to head to the infield during the delay — only to see their leadoffs in the blocks as soon as they reached the grass. Adding to the mess, no water was made available to any athletes while they baked under the 91-degree sun. "We had to sprint back out and refocus, which was tough," Shook admitted. "Not having water wasn't easy, either, but everyone had to deal with the same conditions. It's a rough way to end the season, for sure." Contact Brian Dulik at sports@medina-gazette.com. Follow him @BrianDulik on X.