The Streetsboro Rockets boys’ 4×200 relay has usually competed hard at the Ohio High School Division II state meet but has fallen short of the podium several time over the last few years. The team of seniors Preston Hopperton, Garrett Tiller, Kylan Rue and junior Devon White persevered to capture fifth place with a time of 1:29.74 last Saturday at the University of Dayton’s Welcome Stadium.
“I think it was a big thing to break that trend,” said Hopperton. “In my sophomore year, we got ninth at Jesse Owens Stadium, which had nine lanes so one person does not get on the podium and make the finals and that was us. When we got here on Saturday, we wanted to get as high up on the podium so this is big. This being our last year except for Devon, this means a lot.”
On Friday, the Rockets’ quartet earned an automatic bid to the 4×200 finals when they won their preliminary heat with a time of 1:29.29, which was the third-best time of all three heats, putting them in prime position for its final race.
“We knew coming into Friday that we only needed top two,” Hopperton noted. “We knew it would be hard having the next two fastest times because they are all so close but if you win or come in second in your heat then you automatically go to the final and are automatically on the podium so that is what we were going for.”
Since the move was made for Tiller to become Streetsboro’s anchor, the Rockets’ relay team had become more adept at finishing races.
According to Hopperton, he envisioned Tiller being the backbone of the 4×200 relay at the start of the season because of how well he was doing in the sprints. Tiller’s sprinting prowess made him the perfect candidate to chase his competitors down in the final leg to secure victory.
In the final race on Saturday, Rue put Streetsboro at the front of the pack by staying in third place before handing off the baton to White.
White fell to fourth place on his leg but the Rockets were still within striking distance when Hopperton’s leg arrived.
“I just knew I had to push and maintain and this is my first time being here,” White said. “I knew I had to make these guys proud because this is their last year so I felt I had to run and finish strong for them.”
The Rockets quartet’s lead dwindled during Hopperton’s leg but when he passed the baton to Tiller for the final leg, he knew Tiller would make up ground.
“I am always confident in giving it to Garrett because he is that guy and he is going to get somebody,” Hopperton said.
Tiller came through once again in the final 200 meters of the race, catching up with the front of the pack, ultimately crossing the finish line in first place, capping off a very successful year for the Streetsboro quartet.
“That medal means everything to us,” Rue said. “We worked our butts off for the last couple of years just to fight for it.”
As good of a season as it was for the 4×200 relay, it almost did not happen because Hopperton and Rue were not sure if they would compete in track this season. Hopperton was considering sitting out to preserve his body for his freshman year of football at Kent State University and Rue was recovering from offseason surgery.
Rue recovered in time to be ready for the season and Hopperton decided to return to the track to support his teammates.
“Kylan came off surgery and I am so glad he did,” Tiller said. “He got better and stronger and every week. Preston, the football dude, could have taken it easy but he came out and took us here.”
According to Coach Robert Kidd, Hopperton and Rue’s return only strengthened the relay team’s bond.
“To see those guys come back and to have those shared experiences together and to jump on board with Devon and to make this trip is just phenomenal,” he noted.
Tiller moving to the anchor leg was the final piece of the puzzle for the 4×200 relay team and the rest was history.
With Hopperton, Rue and Tiller graduating, it will be up to White to attempt to replicate the success that the 4×200 relay team experienced this season and pass it on to his future teammates next spring.
“I am glad I got to spend their last year with them,” he added. “They became my brothers and I love them. I am just glad I got to end it with them.”
