A fast start: Marlington's Colin Cernansky sets two Division II district track records

SALEM — The 2023 high school track and field postseason is unlike any other for Colin Cernansky.

The Marlington junior was reminded of it during Saturday's Division II district track and field meet. As the boys 1,600 meters was about to start, Cernansky was introduced as the event's defending state champion.

"That's a cool feeling hearing that, but now the pressure is really on," Cernansky said.

After the starter's gun was fired, Cernansky looked like his old self. He looked like a defending state champion.

Cernansky broke two meet records during the final day of competition at Sebo Stadium. He won the 1,600 in 4:17.09 and the 800 in 1:53.50.

"I wanted to get the 1,600 record," Cernansky said. "I went out hard and closed decent enough to get the record by a little over a second.

"I wasn't sure how I was going to feel in the 800 after that 1,600. I opened up quick and came through (the first lap) at around 55 seconds. I knew I was going to run quick coming through like that."

Cernansky ended up breaking the Marlington 800 record of 1:53.99 set by Brian Baum in 2011.

"I didn't think I'd be able to do that today," Cernansky said. "I thought maybe next year I could get that, but I shocked myself. I ran way better than I thought I would."

Cernansky also holds the Marlington records in the 1,600 (4:13.59) and 3,200 (9:09.73). Both were set this season.

There will be no postseason run in the 3,200. Cernansky has his sights set on the events he won Saturday. He has put a bigger emphasis on the 800 this season.

Winning the 800 at the Stark County Championships helped steer Cernansky in a new direction. He beat Federal League Athlete of the Year Noah Johnson of Hoover and 2022 Division II state runner-up Brody Pumneo of Fairless. He edged Pumneo by just under two seconds Saturday.

"Beating Brody Pumneo and Noah Johnson was a good confidence booster," Cernansky said. "I ran 1:56, which was a PR for me. That was also a state-best time."

Cernansky's 800 PR at the county meet did not last long.

"Under 1:55 was a really good looking time that I wanted to hit," Cernansky said. "Last week at the conference meet I was at 1:55.55. I was that close.

"Coming out here today and beating that PR by two seconds was a really cool feeling. I'm really happy about that 800."

The Dukes will be far from short-handed in the 3,200 in next week's regional meet at Austintown Fitch.

Nash Minor won the district title, while Michael Nicholls finished second. Minor's winning time of 9:28.73 was a meet record.

"They have run great this year," Cernansky said. "I'm expecting them to run better as the season goes on. I think they both really have a shot to place high. Going into the bell lap in the 3,200, I wouldn't be surprised to see them sitting 1-2 together. I know they can run fast, and I'm confident they will."

Fairless boys district runners-up

The Fairless boys had the area's top team finish. The Falcons were district runners-up behind CVCA. They were also runners-up to the Royals in the race for the overall PAC-7 title.

Sprinter Luke Yoder had Fairless' two wins. He repeated as district champion in the 100 and 200.

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This article originally appeared on The Repository: Marlington's Colin Cernansky breaks 800 and 1,600 district records