Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

LANCASTER — It was two for one.

On the first day of the Division III regional track meet Wednesday, the Coal Grove Hornets qualified two athletes for the state track meet next week at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium in Columbus.

Coal Grove junior Austen Pleasants finished third in the discus with a toss of 146-8 to earn a trip to the state meet.

Teammate Eli Willis — a freshman — finished fourth in the pole vault as he cleared 12-feet.

The Hornets’ Ian McFarland was sixth at 11-feet and Ironton’s Tim Maynard was seventh, also at 11-feet.

The top four finishers qualify for the state meet. The remaining events will be held at 5 p.m. Friday.