ANDERSON TOWNSHIP, OH — It was a championship weekend to remember for Little Miami High School. Just a few night's before the baseball team ended a 30-year title drought, the Panthers' varsity boys' track and field team overcame an even more Goliath setback—delivering a historic performance to win their first conference championship since 1987 (38 years).

Led by longtime coaching legends Jim and Lynn Brant, Little Miami surged to victory with 123.50 total team points, outpacing Loveland (90.33) and Walnut Hills (77.83) in the 10-school event held at Anderson High School. Their success was built on balanced scoring across all event groups, with dominant distance running pushing the Panthers over the top.

Distance Dominance Fuels Panthers' Rise

Already recognized statewide as a Division I distance-running power, the Panthers delivered across all long-distance events:

• 3200m: Ryne Reynolds (1st, 9:18.72), Michael Zegarski (2nd, 9:42.76) – 18 points

• 1600m: Ryan Reynolds (1st, 4:18.57), Zegarski (2nd, 4:21.55) – 18 points

• 800m: Justin Evans (1st, 1:57.84), Derek Gomez (5th, 1:58.97) – 14 points

• 4x800m Relay: Gomez, Mitch Reynolds, Evans, Ryne Reynolds – 1st place, ECC Meet and school record (7:51.37) – 10 points

• 4x400m Relay: Wayne, Evans, Dillingham, Greenwood – 3rd place (3:25.90) – 6 points

Field Event Highlights

Day 1 of the ECC Meet saw the Panthers quickly establish a lead:

• Long Jump: Jaqualon "JQ" Wayne (1st, 21-4.25), Cameron Joseph (8th)

• Discus: Cody Neltner (3rd, 136-3), Trevor Miller (8th)

• Pole Vault: Jack Diabira (3rd, 12-3)

• Shot Put: Ethan Dowden (4th, 46-9.5)

• High Jump: Macallan Beerse (2nd, 6-2)

Relays & Sprints: Records Continue to Fall

• 4x100m Relay: Blackwell, Daugherty, James, Miller – 4th place (44.35, school record)

• 4x400m Relay: 3rd place, also a school record (3:25.90)

• 400m Dash: Ethan Greenwood – 5th place (50.04, school record)
• 110m Hurdles: Carson Cherry (8th, 16.73) 1 points; 300m Hurdles: (3rd, 41.01) 6 points.

Lady Panthers Take Fourth, Goins Goes Out On Top

On the girls' side, Emma Goins, a senior and Western Carolina University signee, ended her ECC career in storybook fashion. Despite a late relay team shuffle due to injury, Goins defended her title as the ECC's fastest sprinter for the third year in a row:

• 100m: 1st place, school record (11.96)

• 200m: 1st place, school record (24.46)

• 4x400m Relay: Goins, Fallat, Nicholls, Asobo – 2nd place (4:07.69)

Other notable performances:

• 1600m: Sophia France (5th), Ella Brown (8th)

• 3200m: France (2nd, 11:51.18), Stella Cornelius (7th)

The Lady Panthers finished 4th overall in the team standings.

Next Stop: OHSAA Postseason

With the ECC championships in the books, Little Miami turns its focus to the District Championships at Mason's Dwire Field this week. The Panthers aim to qualify as many athletes as possible for regional and state competition, riding the momentum of a record-breaking conference meet.

Congratulations and good luck to all our Runnin' Panthers!