Correspondent photo / Robert Hayes. Boardman senior Sarah Bero tosses the shot on her final attempt of the Division I state meet earlier this month in Columbus. She marked 41-10.75 on that attempt, lifting her to a bronze medal finish.

COLUMBUS — In many ways, the OHSAA state track and field meet in Columbus was a full circle moment for Boardman senior Sarah Bero.

In the fall, she’ll be attending Ohio State, so it was only fitting that her high school career concluded on the Buckeyes’ campus. She also left Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium with a bronze medal, tossing a mark of 41-10.75 feet on her final throw as a Spartan.

It bests her fifth-place podium finish at the state meet in Dayton last spring. She was also the only Mahoning Valley athlete to place during the Division I meet.

“That was kind of the overall goal, just move up a place or two at the state meet and I’m glad that I was able to do that,” Bero said. “It was definitely really good competition this year, I was able to get better and have a better throw at the state meet this year.”

Bero’s mark was just a foot away from tying Mason’s Austin White for silver. Pickerington Central’s Kamille Smith won gold after nearly hitting the 50-foot mark, coming just short at 49-6.75 feet on her fifth attempt.

“That’s an incredible throw, I’ve never seen anyone throw that far before. That just made me really do my best and get whatever I could out there,” Bero said. “This felt a lot more official than Dayton. Dayton’s meet made me a little more excited, (but) I feel like a lot more athletes were a lot more excited this year. I just appreciate that they made a whole big thing about it. It was kind of fun.

“It was cool, we had a girl or two have a clap out for their last throw. That’s always great when you have a big crowd for that. It was just good to be able to perform well and to show people that’s what I can do.”

Bero’s high school career has included basketball, soccer and cross country, and having the opportunity to represent Boardman one final time wasn’t lost on the senior thrower.

“I’m just really happy that I was able to do well today for my coaches (Rick Sypert, John Pallini and Darien Williams). They put so much work into me, into all of my other teammates. I’m really happy that I was able to get third place for them,” Bero said. “My family, they support me in anything and everything I do, so I’m really happy that I was able to bring them down here again.

“They make sure that I set goals for myself and make sure that all of those goals that I want are met. They are incredible coaches, incredible people. I love them so much, and I’m very thankful to have them.”

Bero reflected on the most important element of competing in a team sport.

“I think just having fun, that’s the most important thing. Sometimes if you don’t do well, you punish yourself by not letting yourself have fun or not letting yourself see the good side of something,” Bero said. “There’s no point in being negative, ever. So, just have fun all of the time.”

Seeking a new challenge, Bero will be trading in the track spikes for a boat by walking on to the Ohio State women’s rowing team this fall.

“They usually just look for athletes who are tall, multi-sport athletes (and) people who are longer and I wanted to try something new, so I’m really excited for that,” Bero said. “I’ve been able to scope out what this place is all about. I’ve been able to go to a lot of good food places here, so I’m really excited to come back and do a different sport.”