Regional track: Brunswick's Eli Nichols finally breaks through for state bid

NORTH ROYALTON — Eli Nichols has been knocking on the door of the state track meet for three years. On Thursday, the Edinboro football recruit knocked it down and went through. Brunswick senior Nichols placed fourth in the boys discus competition at the North Royalton Division I Regional, launching a career-high throw of 169 feet, 3 inches to earn his first trip to the state meet in Columbus. "I'm very excited because it's about time I finally got over the hump," Nichols said after receiving congratulations from fellow medalists. "Knowing I'm going to state immediately made me calmer for my other events. It's a great feeling." The top four finishers in each event advanced, but Nichols never had to worry after reaching 168-0 on his opening heave. His first three throws were all well ahead of fifth-place Josh Porter of Painesville Riverside, who maxed out at 162-10. Nichols has been one of the most unique track athletes in Ohio throughout his career, running on the Blue Devils' sprint relays while being an upper-tier thrower. Success at regionals, however, had previously eluded him. "Normally, I'm too stressed and don't compete like myself when I get to this level," Nichols said. "But when I got here today, my coach said, 'Just trust your form.' I needed to hear that, and it's what I did." Brunswick's girls team also shined in the field events with seniors Kya Swann and Natalie Tracy earning state berths. Both had been remarkably consistent this spring and were rewarded. Swann was the runner-up in the shot put at 40-1, moving into a top-four position on her second attempt and leaping up to second on her subsequent throw. The second-time qualifier wound up 4.75 inches behind Myla Gallagher of Solon. "Last year, I got the at-large spot, so I wanted to be on the podium this time," Swann said. "There was a lot of pressure when I made it to state, but now that I know what it feels like, I can go down and enjoy myself more this time." Swann finished 11th in the shot last year on the campus of Ohio State. Tracy was involved in a spirited battle between five girls in the high jump, ultimately placing fourth at 5-2. Massillon Jackson's Gabby Whalen was first at 5-3, but the next four finishers were a mere inch behind and Tracy won her tiebreaker over Valley Forge's Delaney Kercher. After making 5-0 on her third and final try, Tracy felt a jolt of confidence and cleared the bar on back-to-back attempts at 5-1 and 5-2. They proved to be the difference in advancing for the initial time. "This has been my dream all four years of high school, so it made me feel very happy," Tracy said. "I can tell when I'm going to have a good day in warmups, and I felt it the whole day. Being able to represent my team and Brunswick at state means everything." Blue Devils senior Reese Nolan made an admirable push in the 3,200-meter run before winding up sixth. The sprint semifinals largely went as expected with Medina's Brooke Diello and Mariana Cunningham, and Brunswick's Zaria Roberts breezing into the finals. Roberts had the second-fastest time of 56.85 in the 400. "All of the races will be more competitive Saturday, which will be good," Diello said. Cunningham gained the third seed in the 200 and Diello will be fourth after each won their heats. In the 100, Cunningham ran a career-best 12.20 for the sixth seed and Diello is seventh in 12.22. They teamed with Ruby Lloyd and Michaela Gwinn in the 4x100 for an easy first in 49.22. "PRing in the 100 was totally unexpected," Cunningham said. "I'm honestly pretty stoked about being in the final because I'm going to be surrounded by greatness." Roberts, Mackenzie Soeder, Marissa Miller and Hailey Zielaskiewicz won their 4x200 heat in a season-low 1:43.85, then did the same in the 4x400 to snare the third seed. Contact Brian Dulik at sports@medina-gazette.com. Follow him @BrianDulik on X. Results(top four to state meet)BOYS4x800 — 1. Medina (Nate Fischer, Carson Henning, Joey D'Aurelia, Liam Meade) 7:54.13, 2. Massillon Perry 7:56.93.3,200 — 1. Maxwell Friedrich (St. Ignatius) 9:14.97.Long jump — 1. Cole Taylor (Solon) 23-2.25, 2. Jackson Riffle (Medina) 22-6.Pole vault — 1. Owen Stepsis (Medina) 14-4, 2. Bayler Devins (Berea-Midpark) 14-4, 7. Brayden Belloma (Brunswick) 13-0.Discus — 1. James Conrad (St. Ignatius) 190-2, 4. Eli Nichols (Brunswick) 169-3, 8. Lincoln Reeling (Wadsworth) 151-4. GIRLS4x800 — 1. Avon 9:16.28, 8. Medina (Alexis Warnement, Alanya Yanmaz, Julia Dietrich, Zulay Rebollar) 9:46.91.3,200 — 1. Kaitlyn Reese (Avon) 10:47.44, 6. Reese Nolan (Brunswick) 11:36.84.High jump — 1. Gabby Whalen (Massillon Jackson) 5-3, 4. Natalie Tracy (Brunswick) 5-2.Shot put — 1. Myla Gallagher (Solon) 40-5.75, 2. Kya Swann (Brunswick) 40-1.