Copley's Trevin Jordan, Highland's Sierra Podolan throwing their way to Dayton

TALLMADGE — Copley thrower Trevin Jordan had a blast with the shot put last spring. Right up until the state meet when he scored no distance in the event.

Highland's Sierra Podolan excelled in the shot put, placing sixth at the state meet. Yet Podolan was a bit disappointed, as she felt she could have also reached Columbus in the discus.

The two seniors are eager to redeem themselves, and both shined in their final postseason prep Monday at the Suburban League American Conference meet at Tallmadge.

Despite a bit of inconsistency, Podolan won her fourth consecutive American Conference shot put title. Her final throw of 39 feet proved the winner.

Podolan was pushed by Copley's Jameah Little, who came within a half inch with her fifth throw. Little finished second at 38 feet.

"I think after I fouled on my first one, I got in my head a little bit," Podolan said. "I just wanted to relax myself and do what I have done all year."

Podolan made it clear she wanted to reach the state meet in both throwing events after she finished 11th in discus at last year's regional meet.

"That was really disappointing because I was seeded third [at regional] and the top four go," she said. "This year, my discus has been going pretty well."

"She just has to be consistent," Highland throwing coach Marty Ryan said. "Her best this year has been 42-2. We've got to get that consistent. She's got experience on her side this year."

Meanwhile, Jordan left no doubt in the American Conference boys discus competition. His first toss of 158 feet, 10 inches proved to be the winning throw by almost 14 feet.

Copley throwing coach Rob Brown said Jordan's best throw Monday was personal record, but Jordan said it was "not bad."

Jordan distanced himself from Highland's Jacob Van Boxel (145 feet) and Copley teammate Lucas Tielsch (141-11).

Jordan's motivation this season has been getting redemption after fouling on his three shot put attempts at the 2023 state meet.

"It was a pretty big," Jordan said. "I just want to start throwing better at the end of the season. I've been in a bit of a slump."

"It definitely motivated him," Brown said. "He's worked really hard in the offseason. He did well in the indoor season and he's very excited to get back to state."

Having thrown the shot put more than 62 feet this spring, Jordan wants to make a big splash.

"I feel it would be nice to get down there in discus, but I'm mostly focused on shot," he said.

"I think he has a great chance to get down [to state] in the discus," Brown said. "He can work the shot all day, but I want him to work the discus as well."

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Copley's Trevin Jordan, Highland's Sierra Podolan throwing their way to Dayton