By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

 

OAK HILL — If day two is anything like day one, the Coal Grove Hornets could have a district track title in the trophy case.

The Hornets have 31.5 points after the first day of the Division III district track meet with seven different athletes qualifying for the regional meet next week.

The top four finishers in each event advance to the regional meet in Lancaster.

Greg Bender — a state qualifier last year — led the Hornets as he won the discus with a toss of 165-7

Finishing in third place was Bryan Steele in the long jump with a leap of 20-2.5. Kyle Estep also took third place in the pole vault as he cleared 12-feet.

Teammate Ian McFarland was fifth with an 11-0 height.

Coal Grove’s 4×800-meter relay team of Jacob Pauley, Brandon Adkins, Paul Brisson and Jake Jewell ran an 8:55.47 to take third place.

In the girls’ meet, the Lady Hornets’ 4×800 relay team also advanced as Leslie Mulkey, Ashley Adkins, Tori Holmes and Katey Erwin finished fourth with a combined time of 11:10.46.

Placing for the Lady Hornets was Darrien Hankins in the shot put. Her heave of 28-10.5 gave her seventh place.

The remaining district finals will be held starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday.