Kubicina wins discus title

By Pete Mollica

The Newton Falls senior had a career-best throw in the discus of 146 feet, 5 inches.

COLUMBUS — The more time KaiCee Kubicina has spent in Columbus the better she’s gotten.

Friday morning she finally hit the peak of her high school career at Jesse Owens Stadium at the OHSAA track and field championships.

The Newton Falls senior had her career best throw in the discus winning her first state championship with a throw of 146 feet, 5 inches.

As a sophomore Kubicina finished 15th in the state and last year took fifth place with a throw of 123-2.

“It’s really a big change down here,” she said. “You get in that cage and everything looks different. I was totally lost here as a sophomore and it got better last year and this year I felt right at home.

“Winning the title is just so phenomenal. It’s awesome and I’m so happy,” Kubicina said.

“The winning throw really felt good and I had just fouled the two throws before that, but I knew it was a good one as soon as it let it fly,” she added.

Kubicina had to beat out two other area throwers to win the title as Southeast’s Nikki Murphy finished second with a throw of 146-2 and Salem’s Sarah Brobeck was third (143-11).

All three had competed in the same district and regional meets and Murphy had taken first at both meets.

“It’s always nice to have someone you know down here competing with you and we’ve been doing it all season long,” said Kubicina.

Kubicina will continue her career as Youngstown State.

“I signed with the track team this year and hope to have some success for the Penguins next season,” she added.

mollica@vindy.com