Correspondent photos / Brian Yauger William Hardenbrook of Crestview, right, leads Chaney’s Malcolm Lambert, left, in the 110-meter hurdles on Saturday at the Ward Invitational in East Palestine.

EAST PALESTINE — After the 2020 spring sports season was canceled, a sense of normalcy is finally returning. Reid Memorial Stadium in East Palestine played host to over 20 schools for the William Ward Invitational on Saturday.

Salem’s girls and McDonald’s boys walked out with the trophies. Salem had a convincing victory on the girls’ end, scoring 120.50 with McDonald finishing second with 69 points and Poland, who had 53, in third.

For the boys, it was McDonald that won the day, scoring 80 points. In second was Springfield, which had 57, and Crestview followed close behind with 52.50.

Finishing in seventh on the girls side with 35 points was Niles. The Red Dragons were led by senior Chante Clinkscale who won both the 100- and 200-meter dashes, as well as anchoring the first place 4×100 relay squad.

“I think they did great,” Red Dragons girls coach Alan Caldwell said. “With two seniors, Emily Burnham and Chante Clinkscale, the other girls are sophomores and freshmen, so I think we did good. The record that Clinkscale broke, I was in school the year that record was set.”

Correspondent photos / Brian Yauger Chante Clinkscale of Niles won the girls 100- and 200-meter dashes and also anchored the Red Dragons’ winning 4x100 relay team.

That record was the Ward Invitational’s girls 100-meter dash. The last mark of 12.30 was set in 1985 by Jacelyn Aduma of Youngstown East, then tied by Trinese Summerlin of Warren Western Reserve four years later.

Clinkscale beat the record by nearly four-tenths of a second. The senior for Niles beat the mark, running an 11.95.

“It felt really good to come out and get explosive off the block,” Clinkscale said. “To open my senior year it’s very good to (set a personal best). It’s very exciting. I came off indoor last year and this year winning the 60 and 200 meter dashes. For me to be able to have an outdoor season it helped me be more complete again.

“It was a very great start for the 100, 200 and our 4×100 today. Just being able to climb back on the mountain and do what we have to do feels awesome.”

Caldwell has noticed growth in his star sprinter since the 2019 season, noting Clinkscale has become more observant of the surrounding athletes.

Staff photo / Brian Yauger McDonald’s Reagan Seidel attempts to clear the high jump bar Saturday at East Palestine.

“She stepped into more of a leadership role this year for the underclassmen,” he said. “She’s more focused on getting (the underclassmen) prepared for when she leaves school. She’s more into that leadership role and getting them prepared.

“I think she’s been more dedicated as far as doing indoor (track) and just being a student of the sport and stuff like that. She’s seeing what the other young ladies around the area are doing and is keeping more focused on that.”

The University of Dayton commit sees herself as an extra coach during practice time with how she puts her teammates first.

“Ever since my freshman year, I was always from the standpoint of making everyone better on my left and right,” Clinkscale said. “One thing about me is I always put my teammates first. If I can get the job done, they can most definitely get the job done.

“This year we have a special group, so being able to work in practice is crucial. When we run, we have to run like it’s our last time.

Before leaving for Dayton however, Clinkscale wants to get to the top of the podium in Columbus first.

“I’m aiming to get to the top of the podium this year in the 200, 100 and hopefully be able to bring a relay team this year with me,” Clinkscale said. “Timewise, I’m trying to break 11.6 (in the 100 meter dash).”

For the Invitational MVPs, Kennedy took both the girls and boys MVP spots in the running events.

Chloe Coates won the girls running MVP after winning the 400 meter dash and finishing second in both the 100 and 200 meter dashes. Jesse Likens won the 200 meter dash, and finished second in both the 100 and 400 meter dashes.

The field MVPs were Krista Perry of Crestview winning the girls’ title by finishing first in the discus and second in the shot put, and Coleson Kertesz of Springfield who won the boys’ title finishing first in the shot put and second in the discus.