That’s the knowledge participants faced in the Division II regional track and field meet Saturday at Fitch, where the top four finishers in each event automatically earned berths to next week’s state meet in Pickerington.

Only one area athlete was able to navigate Mother Nature — and all competitors — to win a regional championship.

Her name is Jackie Grisdale, and she concluded the 800 meters in 2 minutes, 14.3 seconds.

“I know it’s weird, but I love this weather,” said the Poland senior who has lettered in six sports and owns multiple records in many of them. “It’s bad for sprinters, but not for us middle-distancers. I love running in the rain. It makes me feel fast. I just tried to will that feeling into reality today.

Girard’s Sieasia Triplett, third from left, and Lakeview’s Danaysha Mauzy, third from right, compete in the 100-meter dash during the Division II regional track and field meet on Saturday in Austintown. Triplett finished third, and Mauzy placed fifth.

“I’m running among great girls every race, and I know it’s going to take my best, just to get to the next level, so to win the race is a little icing on the cake. As a senior, I look back to when I was a freshman and I remember looking at the senior runners who were right by me or who were beating me and I’d say, ‘One day, that’s going to be me there.’ Today was that day. I’m so excited to be finishing everything off — my last season in my last year — by going to state.”

Senior Mia Musolino will join Grisdale at state after placing third in the 200 in 26.07.

While the duo enjoyed the rain as individuals, things can be a little trickier in relays.

Still, the area will be represented at state by three relays.

Girard placed third in the 4×100 in 51.33, and Lakeview was fourth in 51.37. In the 4×200, West Branch was fourth in 1:45.59.

The Indians’ lineup consisted of junior Seyhan Dede, sophomore Sieasia Triplett and freshmen Malina Serrano and Mia Malito.

“It was a little nerve-wracking coming out of the blocks because it’s rainy and slippery, but it was fine,” Serrano said.

“We just wanted to get our handoffs better than the other day, and for the most part they were good,” Malito said.

There was one shaky transfer between Dede and Triplett.

“My exchange with Sieasia was a little scary, but she made up for it,” Dede said. “We were just looking for a top-four finish. We knew it was raining out, so our goal wasn’t to PR, it was to just make it out.”

“We were maybe like sixth when I got it, but I just grabbed the baton and went for it,” Triplett said. “We’re happy with finishing third.”

Triplett wasn’t quite as happy about her individual times in the 100 and 200, despite also qualifying for state in those events. She was third in the 100 (12.66) and fourth in the 200 (26.24).

“I was a little scared, especially for the 200 because two days ago for the prelims, I pulled something in my leg in the 200,” she said. “I was scratched from the 4×4 and we didn’t qualify in that one. The 100 was scary, but I was able to get third. The 200 was real scary because that’s when I pulled it, but I still wound up fourth.

“I wish I could’ve run better times, but I’ll take it. I’m usually more nervous for my individuals and I put a little more pressure on myself. The relays are a little more fun for me. But going to state in three events is amazing. When I was younger, I never believed this was even possible. So this is pretty exciting, and I can’t wait.”

Malito also will compete at state in the high jump after finishing third (5-2) on Thursday.

Lakeview’s 4×100 time edged out fifth-place West Branch (51.43). But by that point in the meet, the Warriors had already qualified for state in the 4×200. West Branch placed fourth in 1:45.59 with a lineup consisting of freshmen Lauren Gossett, Sophia Gregory and Kennedy Berger and junior anchor Anna Lippiatt.

Three teams were tight for the third, fourth and fifth spots until around 100 meteres remained. Marlington placed third (1:45.52) and Beachwood finished fifth (1:46.87).

“I saw Marlington coming and I knew it’d be a battle to the end,” Lippiatt said. “That push helped both of us hold off (Beachwood). I knew it’d be close and, thankfully, we made it. The great part of this is that Lauren, Sophia and Kennedy are freshmen, so we’ll be back and be even better next year.”

Gregory also advanced to state in the 400, placing third in 58.67.

“It was definitely harder running in the rain, but I thought everyone ran well,” Gregory said. “Mary (Mason of Marlington) ran an amazing race in these conditions to win it. I knew with maybe the last 100 left, that I was in good position when I went from fourth to third. But honestly, I’m more excited for the 4×200.”

In the boys meet, Girard’s Ricky Marsico (1:55.77), South Range’s Michael Hvizdos (1:56.32) and Poland’s Andrew Biggs locked up 2-3-4 spots in the 800 to advance.

Girard’s Dominic Malito will also be at state after placing fourth in the long jump (21-5 1/2) on Thursday.

“It was a rough week overall, but I’m happy to be going to state,” Malito said. “I got my timing messed up in the 100 prelims on Thursday. I wasn’t set up in the blocks, and when I looked up, all the guys to my right were in raised positions waiting for the gun. I’m also upset about the high jump today. I can go 6-foot easily and 5-11 made it out to state and I only got 5-10.

“In my other event at district, I was in the 4×4 and we finished sixth. That one had me crying because I love all those guys on that team.”

But there are also blessings for Malito.

“I get to focus on one event and I’m going to practice hard at it going into state,” he said. “I’m definitely going to put in extra work. Plus, I’m so proud of my sister Mia making it to state in two events. And she’s just a freshman. So there is some happiness.”