Ohio's top 2023 high school boys track and field athletes: Meet the state’s best throwers
Over the next couple of weeks, we will be taking a look at some of the top track and field athletes in Ohio.
We started with the boys jumpers, girls jumpers, boys hurdlers and girls hurdlers. Now we will look at the boys throwers.
There are hundreds of standout hurdlers in Ohio, and these lists are not intended to be comprehensive! Tag us on Twitter or Instagram at @SBLiveOH and let us know about other athletes worthy of fans’ attention.
Mannie Arbabi, sr., Cincinnati Sycamore
The senior placed sixth in the Division I discus with a 157-0 effort and then won the indoor shot put at 58-3¾.
Alan Austin, sr., Piketon
He nearly matched his regional toss of 159-5 to place seventh in the Division II discus at 158-4.
Dylan Chittum, sr., Carroll Bloom-Carroll
He placed fourth in the Division II shot put with a throw of 55-3¾ and came back in the Division I indoor state meet to place second at 56-5¾.
Xavier Griffiths, sr., Lima Bath
He qualified for both the discus and shot put in the Division II state meet but did not place in either.
Luke Hamilton, jr., Avon
Recently committed to play football at Michigan, the junior did not place in the Division I shot put and had efforts of 54-9¼ and 162-1 in the postseason. He also was sixth indoors with a 53-3¾ effort.
Jamell James, sr., Austintown-Fitch
The top returner from the Division I shot put field, he placed third with a best of 58-¼ and also qualified for the discus with a 163-11 regional effort but did not place.
Jack Knapke, jr., Maria Stein Marion Local
Last year the best throwing happened in the Division III meet. One example is that Knapke placed sixth in the discus at 168-0, which would have won in Division I and placed second in Division II.
Todd Koch, sr., Columbus Grove
Another excellent Division III thrower who placed third in the discus at 174-6.
Carter Lewis, sr., Alliance
The senior was fourth in the Division I discus with an effort of 56-8½.
Oliver Mayer, sr., Peninsula Woodridge
A double qualifier in Division II, the senior placed third in the discus at 166-5 but did not place in the shot put. Indoors he was first in the weight throw (66-9¼) and fifth in the shot put (54-7).
Fanon Miller, sr., Hunting Valley University School
With a best of 156-1, the senior placed eighth in the Division I discus.
Justin Moore, sr., Lucasville Valley
Heaving the ball 58-6¼, the senior was fifth in the Division III shot put. Indoors he was second with a 58-5¾ effort.
Dillon Morlock, jr., Creston Norwayne
As a sophomore, he won the Division III shot put at 65-4¼ and was second in the discus at 177-1 as the Bobcats won the team title. This year he won the indoor shot put at 59-4¾ and was third in the weight throw with a toss of 65-5½.
Bobby Ogles, sr., Olentangy Orange
The senior was fifth in the Division I discus with a heave of 157-11.
JT Patrick, sr., Castalia Margaretta
After placing eighth in the Division III shot put at 53-2½, he came back indoors to take fourth with a 55-8 toss.
Johnny Sabinski, jr., Belmont Union Local
As a sophomore, he tossed the ball 55-2½ to place fifth in the Division II shot put.
Tyler Thompson, sr., Rittman
The Cincinnati signee struggled somewhat last year in the Division III shot put, placing sixth at 55-11½ after having a 62-1 effort at regionals. Indoors he was second in the weight throw at 65-7¾.
Hayden Valenti, sr., Vermilion
A double qualifier in Division II last year, the Ashland signee finished eighth in the Division II shot put at 52-3¾ but did not place in the discus. Indoors he was fifth in the weight throw at 59-7.
Christopher Vance, sr., Parma Padua
A double-double qualifier this past year, he was sixth in the Division I shot put last spring at 54-10¼ but did not place in the discus. Indoors he took third in the weight throw at 63-8¾ and was eight in the shot put at 52-3½.
DJ Williams, jr., Austintown-Fitch
The junior qualified to the Division I state meet in the discus with an effort of 160-8 but did not place.
