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Track & Field Squad Captures Amherst Regional Championship

By Joe Ginley, 05/26/17, 11:15PM EDT

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Strong efforts by Phil Zuccaro and CJ Ambrosio anchored the Wildcats.

2017 was supposed to be a "down" or "rebuilding" year for the Saint Ignatius track and field team after it lost a host of seniors to graduation.

So much for that idea. 

The Wildcats made quite the statement at the OHSAA Division I, Region 2 Track & Field Championships. The Wildcats stormed to the forefront with 73 points, an impressive 23 points ahead of the second-place finisher, Wadsworth (a team that showed its prowess in the distance relay events). 

Composed of a strong core of young men, the Saint Ignatius track and field squad beat its seed placings in many events in which the Wildcats were represented. Several upsets also paved the way for the blue and gold.

The day started with a result that can hardly be considered an upset, though. Darian Kinnard continued his outstanding season at shot put, snagging second in a regional known for its strong shot put competition. Kinnard delivered in the clutch on his final toss of the day, recording a 59 foot-9.5 inch throw, his best of the afternoon. 

His effort cemented his second place finish to David Amstutz of Ashland, a young man who impressed many with his throws and his class. Kinnard will compete in Columbus next weekend, with a chance to achieve All-Ohio status like his mentor and coach, Ryan Franzinger '02. 

Kinnard will also compete at States in the discus after finishing second in Regionals with a score of 174-10 in the finals on Wednesday. 

Also on Wednesday, the 4x800 relay squad of Pat Nolan, Greg Caniglia, Liam McGuire, and Nick Saul picked up a few points for the Wildcats with a time of 7:59.34. 

The track events on Friday began with a nice start, provided by John Wetula. The promising sophomore took third in the 110 meter hurdles with a time of 15.27, clinching a spot in Columbus next weekend. His finish began the evening off on the right foot for the Wildcats.

Phil Zuccaro and Connor Kennedy then repped the Wildcats in the quickest event in sports, the 100m dash. Zuccaro overcame an early stumble to capture fourth and secure his place at States in the event. Kennedy finished seventh for the Cats. 

The 1600m run also saw two Wildcats compete, with McGuire and Saul taking part for the Wildcats. 

The 4x100 relay brought plentiful points for the Wildcats. Connor Kennedy, Anthony Pelligrino, Jack Kennedy, and Zuccaro combined to snatch second, a nice victory for the Wildcats. That relay team is Columbus-bound. 

After Wetula competed in the 300m hurdles and Nolan took part in the 800m run, Zuccaro struck once again. The junior surged ahead of the pack in the 200m dash, roaring to a first place finish with a mark of 22.82. The deserving and ever-smiling Wildcat will play a big part next weekend in Columbus.

As the evening turned to the lengthy events, CJ Ambrosio stepped to the forefront. A stoic competitor in cross country, Ambrosio used his determination to claim an upset in the 3200m, known as a lengthy two-miler. 

Facing off with the higher-seed Zak Kirk, a classy senior from Maumee, Ambrosio fell behind at the starting gun. Kirk glided with ease to a nearly 50 meter lead before Ambrosio rallied. In the second-to-last lap, Ambrosio made his move. Galloping ahead of Kirk, Ambrosio wrapped up the huge victory in the final lap. The senior set a new Regional record with a time of 9:03.26, a full 22 seconds ahead of his seed time. 

That's not a misprint. Twenty-two seconds. His time of 9:03.26 shattered the standing Regional record by nearly six seconds. Christopher Lemon set the previous standard of 9:09.19 in 2007. Ambrosio's victory sealed the Wildcats' victory entering the final event, the 4x400 relay. 

The 4x400 relay of Anthony Pelligrino, Ryan Cook, Kyle Hall, and Matt Leszcz squeaked into the finals with an eighth place seed time. The Wildcats entered the relay as the No. 8 team out of 8 relay squads. That did not deter this Wildcat quartet.

Each man gave his absolute all, and the 4x400 relay team clawed its way into seventh place onto the podium. The Wildcats shouted for joy upon hearing the news, as the foursome's hard work in practice this week paid off. Other runners may receive more glory, but it was this team's grit and grace that should stand as an example to young runners.

"The rankings are out there, but I tell our guys, 'Don't look at the rankings,'" Head Track & Field Coach Chuck Kyle '69 said. "You never know. It was rainy on Wednesday, and nice today. I always say, just race. 

"This is a great Regional with some impressive teams. To win this Regional is big. Now, we head to Columbus. You just have to score points, and who knows?"

A host of Wildcats will make the trip down to Columbus next weekend. The 2017 OHSAA Track & Field Championships take place on Friday, June 2 and Saturday, June 3 at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium at The Ohio State University. 

For the full schedule of events, click here. We will have as much coverage as possible next weekend in Columbus on what could be a busy weekend for Saint Ignatius Athletics. 

In closing, thank you to the staff at Amherst's Marion Steele High School for their hospitality and kindness. Congratulations on another well-run Regional meet.