Commissioners recognize Olentangy Berlin 4x200 state champions

At a Franklin County commissioners meeting, the board recognized the Olentangy Berlin High School boys 4x200 relay team for winning the state championship and invited the team, their coaches and a representative of the Greater Columbus Sports Commission to the dais.

Linda Logan, executive director of the Greater Columbus Sports Commission, thanked the commissioners and staff for the recognition and congratulated the athletes. "I'm very proud to represent the Greater Columbus Sports Commission," Logan said, noting the commission's partnership with the Ohio High School Athletic Association to highlight student-athlete achievements.

Coach Ken Whelan, introduced at the meeting as the team's coach, described assembling the relay quartet on May 9 and summarized the program's recent state-meet finishes. He introduced the four athletes — Breidel Maslowski, Jacob Lindley, Jett Cornelius and senior Joaquin Love — and said two team members had also been part of the 4x400 that finished second at the state meet this season.

One junior, identified in the remarks as Jack, told commissioners the relay is a team effort and said practices pushed the group to perform at their best. Joaquin Love, the team's senior, announced his college plans: "Well, yeah, I'm going to Tiffin for, sports science," he said. Commissioners and coaches congratulated the group and invited them to pose for a photo after the recognition.

No votes or formal actions were taken during the recognition; the event was a ceremonial acknowledgement of the athletes' state title.