TROY — Bouyed by a dominate performance by senior Ben Ewert, the Beavercreek boys won the Greater Western Ohio Conference overall boys title, and the girls team was equally strong, Friday May 12 at Troy Memorial Stadium.

Ewert claimed individual wins in the mile and 800-meter runs, finished second in the 3,200-meter run and teamed with Jake Benigno, Ian Johnson and Riley Buchhholz to win the 3,200 meter relay in a new meet-record time of 7:54.75.

“Everyone came together. It was a total team effort for us, and Benny (Ewert) should be the MVP of this championship. He scored 38 points on his own,” said Beavercreek head track and field coach James Weckesser. “We had a lot of seniors step up, like Jake Benigno, Jay Drennen, Ian Johnson, Matt Riekens … those guys deserve the credit for this. They did a great job.”

Drennen recorded the other Beavercreek boys win, in the boys discus competition. His winning toss traveled 157 feet, 10 inches.

Ewert said the team looked at an old GWOC track trophy as motivation for Friday’s title.

“The team hasn’t done this in a really long time. We broke out the old trophy … it was covered in dust. This is a big moment for this school and the whole team. We really came together for this,” Ewert said.

Beavercreek won the boys title with 82.5 points. Huber Heights Wayne and Trotwood-Madison tied for second with 74 with Centerville fourth with 63. Xenia placed 17th and Fairborn was 19th in the 20-team boys meet.

On the girls side, Beavercreek’s quartet of Jodi Pierce, Lauren Shuman, Taylor Ewert and Stephanie Pierce won the girls 3,200 relay in a time of 9:24.14. The girls finished fourth overall with 59 points. Host Troy was first with 141 points, followed by Centerville (92), Clayton Northmont (83) and then the Battlin’ Beavers.

Locally, Fairborn placed 15th among the girls team standings. Xenia was one of three schools who did not field enough runners to score a girls team this season.

“Coach Weckesser’s done a great job of building a culture here,” said Beavercreek girls coach Howard Russ. “It’s a testament to that culture he’s created here. My girls have worked their butts off all year. We’re still workin’ toward the postseason, but it’s great to see how far this program has come in the last 3-4 years.

“And this is only the beginning.”

John Bombatch | News-Current Beavercreek senior distance runner Ben Ewert charges for the finish line to win the boys 800-meter race, Friday May 12, at Memorial Stadium in Troy.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/49/2017/05/web1_Ewert800_PS.jpgJohn Bombatch | News-Current Beavercreek senior distance runner Ben Ewert charges for the finish line to win the boys 800-meter race, Friday May 12, at Memorial Stadium in Troy.

Members of the Beavercreek boys and girls track team pose for photos after Friday’s GWOC Track & Field Championships at Memorial Stadium in Troy. The Beavercreek boys won their team title, while the girls placed fourth in their team standings. No other school combined to do better.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/49/2017/05/web1_Team_PS.jpgMembers of the Beavercreek boys and girls track team pose for photos after Friday’s GWOC Track & Field Championships at Memorial Stadium in Troy. The Beavercreek boys won their team title, while the girls placed fourth in their team standings. No other school combined to do better.

By John Bombatch

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You can reach John Bombatch at 937-372-4444, Ext. 2123.