Correspondent photo / Robert Hayes Howland sophomore Kellan Shipman competes in the boy’s seated 400 at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium. He took gold in the seated boy’s shot put, while earning bronze in the three track events.

COLUMBUS — Going into the state meet, Kellan Shipman was already going to have a long couple of days. The Howland sophomore had the boy’s seated shot put on the second day of the meet, with all three track events set for the third day.

Of course, multiple weather delays during that third day turned a lengthy competition into a marathon, but following the final event, it was all smiles for Shipman, who earned medals in all four events, including his first career gold.

Shipman won the boy’s seated shot put with a mark of 22-05 feet, while taking home a trio of bronze medals in the 100-meter (personal-best 18.84 seconds), 400 (personal-best 1:04.51) and 800 (2:28.77).

“Winning the shot put felt amazing. It was really stressful (on Day 3), but winning made it feel really good,” Shipman said. “I got a PR in the 100 and the 400, they both felt really good. It’s been a long day though, so the 800 was a little rough. It was still good. I’ve just been resting all day, getting shade. We ate lunch between the 100 and the 400, then I got some dinner after all of the rain delays.

“I like racing in the cooler weather rather than the middle of the day. It’s cool seeing all of the people support us and cheer us on.”

Since 2013, the OHSAA has held eight seated events at the track and field state championships, with many athletes receiving support through Adaptive Sports Ohio.

Shipman has taken up hockey in the past, while adding swimming to his resume this past school year, earning third in the 50 freestyle and 100 backstroke.

“I think that’s a great start for my first year, I think it was a great experience.” Shipman said. “All of my friends did it, that’s really it honestly. I was new to Howland last year, and all of my friends did it and then somehow they talked me into doing it this year, but I loved it though.

“It’s great. I like showing off my school, I like representing the community.”

HOWLAND’S OTHER ATHLETES

Howland senior Gianmaro Malvasi earned fourth place during the Division II boy’s 110 hurdles with a time of 14.67s.

The Tigers boy’s 4×800 relay team of Ryan Barringer, Riley Hornbeck, Jack Lussier and Levi Armitage placed 11th at 8:01.34.