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Raiders’ fortunes in good hands
By JOHN VARGO Tribune Chronicle
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Shown clockwise from upper left: J'Abneb Provitt, Darren Lee, Christopher Anzevino, Dan Herron, Christopher Rucker.
</td></tr></tbody> </table> WARREN — Four years ago, Warren G. Harding’s boys track team took two relay teams and qualified in two individual events to the state meet when it was held at Welcome Stadium in Dayton.
That team placed eighth in both relays. The sprinter in the 100 did not qualify for finals, but the 400 runner, Indiana University junior Treymane Warfield, placed sixth.
This season at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium on the campus of The Ohio State University in Columbus, the Raiders will take two relay teams, a sprinter that qualified in the 100- and 200-meter dashes and a discus thrower.
In between that four-year gap, and for a time prior to the 2002 season, Harding’s relay teams have been burdened with one thing — a lightweight baton.
Like clockwork, the baton would drop in either districts or regionals, preventing the speedy Harding team from getting their due at state.
This year, the 400 and 800 relays of J’Abneb Provitt, Darren Lee, Christopher Rucker and Dan Herron took third at the Division I Austintown Fitch regional. The top four in each event advanced to the state meet, which begins today and ends Saturday.
‘‘Getting both relays down there is great,’’ Raiders coach Charles Penny said.
‘‘Everybody has said, ‘Harding has fast sprinters, but they drop the baton.’ ’’
The 400 relay ran 42.74 seconds, while the 800 relay clocked a time of 1:28.31 to quell all the baton-dropping speculation.
Lee said he and his teammates have been practicing those ever critical handoffs.
‘‘We worked hard to get there,’’ he said.
Provitt is more than happy to tell you about his other relay teammate.
‘‘They all work hard and we’re ready to get faster,’’ Provitt said.
Provitt placed fourth in the 100 (10.88) and second in the 200 (21.76) at regionals.
‘‘I’m happy I’m going to state, but I’m not happy with my places,’’ Provitt said. ‘‘I’m never satisfied.’’
Provitt’s brother, Benja’Lan, won the 200 state title last season as a senior.
J’Abneb has put in his fair share of hard work to prepare for another shot at the 100 and 200, the two events which he finished sixth last season.
‘‘A lot of athletes seem to live off of their past year’s success and don’t put the amount of work in they need to make it back,’’ Penny said.
J’Abneb is different.
‘‘He wasn’t happy with what he did last year,’’ Penny said. ‘‘Getting back to state validates all of his hard work.’’
Junior thrower Christopher Anzevino has worked hard to advance in the discus. He threw 153 feet, 9 inches to earn a place in Columbus. That’s his best for this season.
Anzevino, whose family moved from Boardman last year, has struggled with injuries.
He sprained his ankle before last year’s regionals while he was still with the Spartans. He only mustered a throw of 141-6, good enough for ninth place. It was a far cry from his best throw of 160-0, which is his personal best.
Placing fourth at this year’s regionals set aside the memories of a year ago.
‘‘It’s a really good feeling,’’ Anzevino said.
Prior to this season, he tore his meniscus in his left knee. Anzevino said it’s 75 to 80 percent healed.
He’s already set the Harding junior record for discus.
As Anzevino finds his focal point in the back of the ring, whirls around to pick up momentum and releases the discus across his chest, he hopes to hear the roar of the crowd in Columbus.
‘‘I like when there’s a lot of people there calling my name,’’ he said. ‘‘I’ll probably get my best throw down at state.’’
For the Raiders relay teams and Provitt in the sprints, they are anxious to display their quickness and accurate handoffs.
‘‘I can’t wait to get down to state and see what we can do,’’ Provitt said.
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