Ohio Northern University senior Josh Colbert won the national championship in the long jump at the NCAA III Championships on Thursday at Selby Stadium on the campus of Ohio Wesleyan.
On the final leap of his college career, Colbert covered 7.46 meters (24-5.75), to clinch the national title.
His leap also broke the school record of 24-1.00, set back in 1981.
"This was my goal all along," said Colbert. "At the beginning of the season, it may have seemed unrealistic, but I gave it my all and am honored to be a national champion."
On his first jump in the finals, Colbert posted a leap of 7.37 meters, to put him in sole possession of first place.
Bluffton High School won the Northwest Conference 2013-14 “Don Bachman Award of Excellence” for the first time with a strong finish in the spring sports season.
This award recognizes the school in the conference that exhibits the highest level of consistent excellence in conference-sponsored sports and scholastic bowl competition.
The Pirates compiled a total of 80.5 points to defeat Crestview (79) in a close race. Columbus Grove finished third with 70 points. For the first time in the history of the award all league schools had at least one championship/co-championship.
• Football Point Differential Rule Among OHSAA Sport Regulation Changes for 2014-15
• Baseball & softball doubleheaders now permitted on school days;
• Ohio joining other states in adopting second-half running clock in lopsided football games
For years, high school football games in Ohio could be shortened by mutual agreement of both head coaches. That will change this fall with the adoption of a football point differential rule as part of the 2014-15 sport regulations approved by the Ohio High School Athletic Association Board of Directors last week at its May board meeting.
In voting by Northwest Conference baseball coaches for the 2014 baseball season. senior Damian Helm, a pitcher/first baseman from Crestview was named Player of the Year.
This follows Helm's selection as player of the year in basketball and receiving co-player of the year honors last year in baseball. Helm was a near unanimous selection receiving 159 out of a possible 160 points in the balloting.
Bluffton coach Sam Fruchey tallied 22 points to be named Coach of the Year at the all-conference selection meeting Monday evening at Delphos Jefferson. Fruchey led the Pirates to a 6-2 record and a Northwest Conference co-championship with Crestview.
