Salem’s Maddie Gorby clears the bar in the Div. II high jump on Friday at the state track and field meet at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium in Columbus. (Photo by Ron Firth)

COLUMBUS — Salem sophomore high jumper Maddie Gorby’s sixth-place finish at the state track meet was sweet.

Gorby’s podium finish Friday left a good taste in her mouth before beginning her summer job working a lemonade stand at county fairs.

Gorby made the opening height of 5-foot-2 on her first attempt at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium and stood in a four-way tie for sixth place in Div. II.

“I’m very excited and very proud of myself,” said Gorby after becoming the first Salem girls jumper to score at state.

She was surprised to learn the state meet would start at 5-2 and then to 5-4.

“I was in shock,”Gobry said. “We were all in disbelief. It was scary. I still got to stand on the podium at state.”

Eleven jumpers cleared 5-2. Seven could not, including Salem sophomore Peyton Colbert, who had a personal-best 5-2 last week.

“She was nervous,” Gorby said. “She could make it. I think it was more in her head.”

Gorby had a personal-best and school record-tying 5-4 last week and couldn’t match it at state.

Fairfield Union senior Christian Thompson cleared 5-foot-8 to win the state title after being state runner-up last year.

Thompson made 5-6 on her final attempt for the victory. She made 5-2, 5-4, 5-5 and 5-7 on her first attempts

Gorby, who tied for 17th place at state last year, usually puts her track cleats away until next March. She is considering indoor track next season.

“I feel if I did practice more, I could do better,” she said. “I really want to get the school record and get 5-6.”

Long jumpers

Salem junior Lucas Adams finished in the Division II boys long jump, one spot off the podium.

His best jump of 20-feet-11 1/2 came on his second attempt and was 7 1/2 inches short of scoring at state. All six of his jumps went over 20-0.

Toledo Central Christian junior Victor Singleton won his second straight state title with a leap of 23-6 1/2. He had the top four jumps, including three over 23-2.

Marlington sophomore Cameron Evanich was fourth (22-4 1/4).