James A. Garfield High School seniors Ryan Stoller and Riley LaPorte ended their illustrious track and field careers on the podium on the biggest stage. The pair made the podium at the OHSAA Division II state track and field meet at the historic Jesse Owens Memorial stadium at the Ohio State University. It was the perfect ending to a great story. Stoller, after finishing 11th in the preliminaries in the 110 meter hurdles on Friday, bounced back on Saturday and took fifth in the 300 meter hurdles. He will finish his career as one of the most decorated track athletes in school history. JAG boys track is a historically strong program, as they send athletes to the state meet nearly every year, and have had multiple state champions over the years. Stoller also finished fifth in a hurdle event last season, when the state championships for Division II were at Pickerington North near Columbus. But in 2021, it was the 110 meter hurdles for Stoller that got him fifth in the state.
LaPorte finished second in the shot put throw for the entire state for the second year in a row. LaPorte can also call himself the best shot putter in school history. He broke his own school record at the state meet by throwing over 59 feet, which broke coach Matt Pfleger’s long standing record. LaPorte also took sixth in the state in the discus throw, an event that was very competitive. Junior Jesse Grace also made the state meet in the discus throw, so the future is bright for the boys throwers, just like the past and present.
Congrats to Ryan Stoller and Riley LaPorte for their All-Ohioan honors once again, and to all the Garfield G-Men on a fantastic 2021-2022 school year full of countless memories and great success.
