Derrick Webb, Staff Writer
COLUMBUS — In long jump events across the area this spring, record after record has fallen this season … at the hands of Southeastern junior Lane Ruby.
Friday evening at Ohio State’s Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium, Ruby didn’t break any records but he did take his biggest leap yet.
Competing at the OHSAA Track and Field State Championships, Ruby leapt a distance of 23-feet-2.5 on his sixth attempt — a personal record, just inches off the state’s winning distance, and a mark that allowed him to seize the centerpiece to an already crowded trophy case.
Wellsville’s Justin Wright won the state title with a distance of 23-3.25 … coming on his sixth and final jump.
Ruby’s other jumps boasted distances of 21-9.5 on his first attempt, 22-1.75 on his second, 22-6.5 on his third, 22-0.25 on his fourth, and 21-9.75 on the fifth.
“I came out and PR’d in the long jump and that’s exactly what I wanted. I worked hard all year and [in the long jump], it came down to my last jump,” Ruby said. “That’s all I waned to do and I went out to do it. It feels good to break my own record. I have a great community that supports me all the time. This was for them.”
Earlier in the day, Ruby qualified for the state finals in the 100-meter dash, placing fourth overall in the preliminary events with a finish time of 11.07 seconds.
On Saturday, Ruby added a third place finish in the event with a time of 11.16 seconds.
“It feels good. I really wanted to get up to second or first but it’s my first year here in the 100,” Ruby said. “I’ll be back next year. I think I pushed well out of the gate but I slowed down over the last couple of meters. I just have to work on that for next year and build up stamina.”
Southern Ohio Sports Authority will have continuous updates from the OHSAA Track and Field State Championships.