Correspondent photo / Robert Hayes Girard senior Josiah Hunter competes in the Division II 100-meter dash at the OHSAA state track meet. He placed fourth.

COLUMBUS — The shortest race is by far one of the more challenging ones.

Girard senior Josiah Hunter hadn’t had the opportunity to compete on the hallowed grounds of Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium, but he faced his state debut head-on. Clocking a time of 10.83 seconds in the 100-meter dash, the Indians senior earned fourth place, taking some Division II hardware back to Girard.

He had skipped the Jack Arvin Football All-Star classic for the opportunity to compete at state, relishing in the opportunity given.

“It takes a lot of training during the offseason, things like that. The competition pushed me hard, I ended up hurting my hamstring more, it was hard competition. I ran faster (in the prelims),” Hunter said. “I feel good about it, I just have to get back to work, go to my school and get in the lab.

“It was fun, this is a surreal feeling. I’ve only got to come here two times, wish it had been more, but it’s always fun to come down here.”

Hunter was previously an alternate for the Indians at previous state meets, so he possessed first-hand knowledge of the task. But it’s still much different once an athlete steps on the track as a competitor.

He ran a 10.78 during the preliminary round on Friday.

“(The nerves) were bad in my first race, I was shaking out of the blocks. I thought that I false started,” Hunter said. “They settled down, it’s still there because you want to do good and perform, but it wasn’t as bad (as the first day).

“I can’t hear, I zone out, so (the crowd) has never really been a factor for me.”

As a senior, Hunter reflected on his time donning the Indians track uniform.

“I’m kind of proud, wish I could start it all over, be more serious as a freshman and sophomore, but I’m pretty proud,” Hunter said. “I’m going to a prep school in Michigan, I do plan to compete after prep school in track and football.”

Over at the girl’s meet, junior Jessica Hansen qualified in the 100m dash, posting a time of 12.86 seconds during the prelims. She was also a member of the 4×100-meter relay team that consisted of Alexis Pieton, Khloe Pieton, Laiyah Pappa, and Hansen, running a time of 50.34 seconds on the first day.