Two Bellbrook Middle Schoolers broke track records this season, one of them longstanding, and one who broke her own record from last year.
Jemia Wheaton broke the shot put record with a throw of 35-foot-2.25 inches, besting the old record of 33-feet, 9-inches, set in 1976 by Brenda Bargo. Wheaton broke the record during a dual meet with Valley View on May 2.
“Mia works hard each day – sometimes working with coaches after practice to work on her technique and form,” middle school track coach Kayla Guess said. “Through her hard work, she broke a shot put record set back in 1976.”
Raegan Arndt broke her own record in the pole vault, topping the one she set last year as a seventh grader. Arndt cleared 9-feet 6-inches this year at the Southwestern Buckeye League championship on May 4. That topped where she set the bar at 9-feet as a seventh grader.
“Raegan works hard at practice each day,” Guess said. “She is often found leading her team through warmups and setting examples for the rest of the team. Raegan puts in the effort pole vaulting beyond the season to get better and it's paid off – rebreaking her own school record jumping 9-6.”
Raegan went on to place eighth at the OHSAA 7th and 8th grade championships on May 11. The top 24 in the state are invited to compete. Teammate Bella Jiovani joined her at the state meet and finished 12th.
“Jemia Wheaton and Raegan Arndt have really improved in their respective events as 8th graders,” middle school track coach Kyle Ferguson said. “The coaches are so proud of their hard work and dedication.”