State placer Siler earns 2026 county boys field athlete of the year

Since the track and field season ended in early June, Paul Siler II has been preparing for another sport — football.

“I’ve been just conditioning, lifting, going over formations, footwork ... things like that,” the incoming Edgewood senior said.

Siler is looking start the new school year in athletics like he ended this past one.

“I want to be a better version of myself than I was last year,” he said.

A state placer in the Division III discus, Siler was selected the Ashtabula County Boys Field Events Athlete of the Year, as voted on by the coaches.

“I am very grateful for this reward ... all the hard work and dedication I had throughout the season to earn this award,” he said.

In Columbus last month, he threw 159’1” to make the finals, which held up for a sixth-place finish in the Division III state championships.

Without the third throw, he would not have made the finals or the podium.

His other throws were 126’5”, 159’0” and 157’5”.

“What I learned from track is I’m capable to do a lot more than I thought I could do in that sport,” Siler said.

Siler was a force all season in field events for the Warriors.

During the season, he threw a school-record 168’2” in the the Chagrin Valley Conference Lake Division championships at Jack Britt Stadium in Painesville.

At the Ashtabula County meet, Siler claimed first in the discus (148’3”) and shot put (45’10.50”).

In the postseason, Siler threw 161’5” at the Perry District, and 163’6” in the Austintown Fitch Regional.

For the upcoming school year, he said his goals are to become more of a leader.

“This is my senior year, and I want to set a good example for the younger guys when I’m gone,” Siler said.

But track will have to wait for Siler until next year.

He has football and basketball seasons to go through first.

Last season on the football field, Siler recorded 25 pancakes and graded out at 85% from the guard position.

On defense, he registered 49 total tackles, three sacks and returned an interception 55 yards for a touchdown.

Siler is slated to be a key component for coach Olajuwon Cooper up front.

“He has a rare combination of size, speed and strength,” Cooper said. “He’s extremely athletic and plays with a physicality you can’t teach. He’s improved his footwork tremendously this offseason. He’s seen the fruits of that labor during track by placing at the state meet.”

On the basketball court, Siler provided relentless hustle, grabbed key rebounds and scored occasionally.

Still, it comes down to track.

“I love football, but track is my favorite sport because that’s what I want to do in college and that’s what my heart desires,” Siler said. “My individual goal is to beat the county record this year for discus this year.”

He also wants to help the Warriors football team reach the Division IV, Region 13 playoffs again, and advance farther.

Siler said the team goal for basketball to advance further in the tournament.

This past season, the Warriors advanced to the D-IV, Northeast 4 district semifinals.