JUNE 6, 2014 - COLUMBUS
It was a special opening day for Covington track at the state meet on Friday as Ben Miller and Lane White advanced to Saturday's finals in two events, while Jackie Siefring won a state title in the long jump and qualified for the finals in two more events.

Unfortunately, the boys 4x100 meter relay team of Dalton Bordelon, A.J. Ouellette, Ben Miller and Brandon Magee came up short of moving on thanks to a mishap on a final handoff.

It ends the high school athletic careers of two of the best athletes - and even better kids - to come out of Covington in a long time (Ouellette and Bordelon). Both have meant so much to not only Covington track, but other sports with their tireless work ethics and abilities to lead younger kids to better themselves. Both have unbelievable futures as they will be playing collegiate football this fall - Bordelon at Mount St. Joseph and Ouellette at Ohio University.

Jackie Siefring had an historic day as she became the school's first female athlete to win a state track title as she won the long jump with a distance of 18 feet and 3/4 of an inch.

She also qualified for the finals in the 100 and 300 meter hurdles by winning both of her heats in impressive fashion.

Siefring won the 100 in a time of 14.66 and the 300 in the time of 44.55 and enters Saturday's finals with the second fastest times in both events behind Morgan Rice of Warren JFK High School, last year's state champion in the 100 meter hurdles.

Lane White dominated his heat in the 400 meter dash, cruising to a victory in the time of 48.76 as he pulled up the last 20 meters. He then shocked everyone by winning his heat in the 200 meter dash out of lane eight in the time of 21.85, just .15 off of the school record.

The reason is was shocking had nothing to do with White's speed or ability, but due to the fact that there is little time between the 400 and 200 and many wondered if he would even compete in the race.

Always reserved, White playfully played off the pleasant surprise he gave Covington fans who were on hand.

"I just want to try and see how good I could do," White said with a smile after the 200.

To him, it probably wasn't that big of a surprise — considering only one of the other 15 runners had a better PR than him in the race this year.

The time also got him close to Kelly Deeter's school record of 21.7.

"That is definitely a goal for Saturday," White said.

In regards to putting together the fastest qualifying time in the 400, White is looking for bigger goals.

"I gave it a little extra today because I wanted to make sure I was in lane 4," White said. "Getting in the 47s is a goal tomorrow for sure."

Ben Miller also advanced in two events, the 110 meter hurdles and 300 meter hurdles.

Miller heads into Saturday with the seventh fastest time in the 110's with a time of 15.01 and the eighth fastest time in the 300's with a time of 40.46.

He has bigger plans for Saturday as he is eyeing Troy Cron's school record of 14.85 in the 110's.

I want that (record) bad," Miller said with a smile.

In all, there was plenty of reason to smile for the Buccaneer track athletes of Friday.

Hopefully tomorrow those smiles are even bigger after competition is done.