Derrick Webb, Staff Writer
COLUMBUS — In long jump events across the area this spring, record after record has fallen this season … at the hands of Southeastern junior Lane Ruby.
Friday evening at Ohio State’s Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium, Ruby didn’t break any records but he did take his biggest leap yet.
![](https://www.sosaohio.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/4S3A7049-683x1024.jpg)
Competing at the OHSAA Track and Field State Championships, Ruby leapt a distance of 23-feet-2.5 on his sixth attempt — a personal record, just inches off the state’s winning distance, and a mark that allowed him to seize the centerpiece to an already crowded trophy case.
Wellsville’s Justin Wright won the state title with a distance of 23-3.25 … coming on his sixth and final jump.
Ruby’s other jumps boasted distances of 21-9.5 on his first attempt, 22-1.75 on his second, 22-6.5 on his third, 22-0.25 on his fourth, and 21-9.75 on the fifth.
“I came out and PR’d in the long jump and that’s exactly what I wanted. I worked hard all year and [in the long jump], it came down to my last jump,” Ruby said. “That’s all I waned to do and I went out to do it. It feels good to break my own record. I have a great community that supports me all the time. This was for them.”
Earlier in the day, Ruby qualified for the state finals in the 100-meter dash, placing fourth overall in the preliminary events with a finish time of 11.07 seconds.
On Saturday, Ruby added a third place finish in the event with a time of 11.16 seconds.
“It feels good. I really wanted to get up to second or first but it’s my first year here in the 100,” Ruby said. “I’ll be back next year. I think I pushed well out of the gate but I slowed down over the last couple of meters. I just have to work on that for next year and build up stamina.”
Southern Ohio Sports Authority will have continuous updates from the OHSAA Track and Field State Championships.