Austin Goolsby ends high school career as state runner-up
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
COLUMBUS — Though the ending wasn’t what Hillsboro senior Austin Goolsby wanted it to be, the senior was still able to not just reach the podium, but place in the Top 2 of the state for the third straight year.
Goolsby finished second in the OHSAA Division II State Track and Field Championships Friday, one year following winning a state title and two years after also placing second in the event. Goolsby, to his own admission, said he just didn’t have enough energy to defend his state championship.
“Going in, I felt really well. My jumps were really good, so I thought I was going to do my best, but I ended up just not having enough energy to come through at the end,” Goolsby said following the event. “It’s definitely been a humbling experience and just a great accomplishment. I’m definitely happy with it, and I’m blessed just to have the ability to do what I do because not a lot of people can.”
Goolsby completed jumps of 13-10, 14-06 and ended up in second place with a height of 14-10. Goolsby was unable to convert the height of 15-02 on three attempts, though he nearly converted the jump on the second attempt but just barely touched the bar.
Winning the event was sophomore Zach Love of Indian Valley with a height of 15-02. Following Goolsby in third place were senior Jake Schauer of Oakwood with a height of 14-06, junior Blaine Brokschmidt of Miami East at 14-02 and in fifth place was senior Casey Vancauwenbergh of Huron at 13-10.
For his career, Goolsby finished with three trips to the state championships, having a height of 15-06 as a sophomore for a state-runner up spot and last season a jump of 15-02 when he won a state championship.
The 2018 season was full of success for the Hillsboro senior, winning various duals and invitationals, plus winning the Frontier Athletic Conference championship, a district championship and last weekend he was crowned the regional champion, earning his third consecutive trip to the state meet.
“I just want to say thanks for all the supporters. Half the town was here, so I was really happy to see all of them come out, and it just helps make me a little bit more happy. I know the people are rooting for me and they’re proud of me, so it makes me happy and blessed,” Goolsby said. “I also want to thank God, first of all, because He’s given me this talent, and I’ve been able to really do good things.”
Goolsby finished second in the OHSAA Division II State Track and Field Championships Friday, one year following winning a state title and two years after also placing second in the event. Goolsby, to his own admission, said he just didn’t have enough energy to defend his state championship.
“Going in, I felt really well. My jumps were really good, so I thought I was going to do my best, but I ended up just not having enough energy to come through at the end,” Goolsby said following the event. “It’s definitely been a humbling experience and just a great accomplishment. I’m definitely happy with it, and I’m blessed just to have the ability to do what I do because not a lot of people can.”
Goolsby completed jumps of 13-10, 14-06 and ended up in second place with a height of 14-10. Goolsby was unable to convert the height of 15-02 on three attempts, though he nearly converted the jump on the second attempt but just barely touched the bar.
Winning the event was sophomore Zach Love of Indian Valley with a height of 15-02. Following Goolsby in third place were senior Jake Schauer of Oakwood with a height of 14-06, junior Blaine Brokschmidt of Miami East at 14-02 and in fifth place was senior Casey Vancauwenbergh of Huron at 13-10.
For his career, Goolsby finished with three trips to the state championships, having a height of 15-06 as a sophomore for a state-runner up spot and last season a jump of 15-02 when he won a state championship.
The 2018 season was full of success for the Hillsboro senior, winning various duals and invitationals, plus winning the Frontier Athletic Conference championship, a district championship and last weekend he was crowned the regional champion, earning his third consecutive trip to the state meet.
“I just want to say thanks for all the supporters. Half the town was here, so I was really happy to see all of them come out, and it just helps make me a little bit more happy. I know the people are rooting for me and they’re proud of me, so it makes me happy and blessed,” Goolsby said. “I also want to thank God, first of all, because He’s given me this talent, and I’ve been able to really do good things.”