Shelby Whippets Set New Record in 4x100 Relay, Claim State Championship

COLUMBUS — The Shelby Whippets showcased their full potential as they triumphed in the 4x100-meter relay at the Division III state championship, setting a new state meet and overall Division III record with a remarkable time of 41.30 seconds. This victory marks only the third time in history that the Shelby boys' track program has clinched a relay state championship.

Entering the competition as the fifth seed with a qualifying time of 42.17 from the previous week’s regional meet, the Whippets made an impressive leap, improving their time by nearly a full second in the finals. Relay member Gavin Baker credited the return of Brayden DeVito, who recovered from a hamstring injury that kept him sidelined for much of the postseason, saying, “This guy came back healthy. That really is a huge difference.”

DeVito participated in only his seventh relay of the season during the state finals, having been unable to compete in the district or regional events. Recognized as the runner-up for the Ohio Mr. Football award, he expressed his determination to contribute to the team’s success: “I owed it to these guys to come back as strong as I could because they worked so hard to get us here.”

Brady Bowman set a strong pace during the first leg of the race, helping the team secure an early lead. Reflecting on his performance, he stated, “It was so important to break down that stagger and get us in good position.”

Despite a nearly four-hour weather delay before the finals began, the Whippets remained focused and ready to compete. Renner Gano shared his thoughts on the wait: “It was so difficult to remain patient and believe we were even going to run tonight.” The team, which also finished fourth in the state last year, looks forward to next season with hopes of defending their title, returning all but DeVito.