06/18/2026
First in 53 years: Red Wolves Win Two Titles at State Track and Field Championships
Cuyahoga Heights Schools
June 17, 2026
The Cuyahoga Heights Track and Field program brought home two state titles at the Ohio High School Athletic Association’s 2026 State Championships held at historic Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium in Columbus, Ohio June 4-7.
The 4x200-m. relay team of Gavin Chamberlin, Kurtis Van Divner, Maurice McClardy, and Tristan West captured the first championship with a school-record time of 1:28.06. This accomplishment would not have been possible without freshman Mathew Cowling, who ran on the qualifying relay team on Thursday and helped the group advance to the finals with a season-best time of 1:29.81.
Just 30 minutes later, Chamberlin, Van Divner, McClardy, and West earned their second state championship in the 4x100-m. relay, setting another school record with a time of 42.55 seconds. The same four runners later capped off an incredible day by placing fifth overall in the 4x400-m. relay.
Individually, Maurice McClardy earned seventh place in the high jump, clearing 6 ft. 4 in. Aden Ewelt battled through injury to clear 14 ft. in the pole vault, also finishing seventh. Senior Samantha Vallee entered the State Championships as the 17th seed in the 100-m. hurdles and delivered an outstanding performance, finishing eighth and earning All-Ohio honors. Also, the boys’ team scored 28 points, finishing sixth overall among more than 100 competing schools.
“We are incredibly proud of all of our athletes for representing our school and community with class, determination, and grace while competing at the highest level in the State of Ohio,” said Athletics and Activities Director Paul Gerycz.
The last time Cuyahoga Heights High School brought home a state championship was in 1973 That year, Ken Janiak won the shot put with a throw of 54 ft. 5 in.
