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Devil clears burden to state

Morning Journal/Ron Firth Lisbon’s Seth Stokes clears the bar during high jump competition on Friday during the Div. III regional meet at Massillon Perry High School.

MASSILLON — Lisbon senior high jumper Seth Stokes was smiling more Friday than after his state runner-up finish last year.

Stokes overcame a painful foot injury at the Massillon Perry Division III regional meet as he turned in one of his most impressive performances for a third straight state berth.

“I am sure most people will see I placed third, but they weren’t here to see what happened,” he said. “You had to be here to witness it.”

Stokes was laboring in the competition, but cleared 6-foot-4 on his first attempt before bowing out after two misses at 6-6 to end a run of two straight regional titles.

“The pain I was in was unbearable,” he said. “I almost didn’t jump at all. It hurts to walk. It was worst than last week.”

Stokes said he “jammed” his left ankle while long jumping for the the only time this season at the Eastern Ohio Athletic Conference Meet on May 13.

“I wasn’t a good decision,” he said. “I thought I could place high and get some points to help my team.”

East Canton senior Josh Conrad, who was fifth at state last year, had a winning jump of 6-6. Lordstown senior Greg Romain was second at 6-4.

“I jumped once in warmups and it hurt so bad,” Stokes said. “I thought when I took my warmup jump, my max was 6-foot today. I’m walking away pretty happy.”

The way Stokes was limping took most of the field by surprise.

“I don’t think the other athletes knew I was hurt,” Stokes said. “But it was obvious when they saw my warmup jump. They were asking me if I could go.”

He feels fortunate to get a chance to compete at state one more time.

“I went to state last year and promised Lisbon a state title, which I did at indoor,” Stokes said. “I’m thinking I can get over 6-7 if I get healthy. After today, I feel confident.”

But he isn’t talking about winning a state title this year.

“As long I go, and if it comes down the point where I can’t go — if I give it my best and don’t place again — I will walk away happy,” he said.

He said he would have felt bad if he had to finish his senior season on the sideline.

“I’ll never jump for Lisbon again and I wanted to give them a couple more exciting meets,” Stokes said. “I think I did today.”

Meet notes

¯ Lisbon had a pair of runners in Friday’s regional finals.

Sophomore Izzy Perez was eighth in the girls 100-meter dash (12.90 seconds).

Senior Jacob Mundy was 12th in the boys 800 run (2:07.17).

¯ Also in the 800 run, United junior Kameron Seaman was 10th (2:05.15) and Columbiana junior Nick Krusely was 11th (2:06.26).

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