East Liverpool’s Maddox Roach competes in the Div. II 1600-meter run on Saturday at the state track meet in Columbus. (Photo by Ron Firth)

COLUMBUS — East Liverpool junior Maddox Roach was already thinking about next year after a seventh-place finish at the Division II state track meet Saturday.

“Everyone who beat me was a senior,” he said. “It gives me more fuel to come back next year and win it all.”

Roach came in with one of the top times and beat his own school record again in 4 minutes, 13.13 seconds at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium. He joins teammate Julius Jones in 2024 and Steve Williams in 1969 as the only East Liverpool boys to score at state in individual running events.

“I can’t be disappointed, but bad things happen before good things can happen,” Roach said.

Roach was fourth going into the final lap.

“I’m a competitor,” Roach said. “I never think I’m out of reach.”

Van Wert senior Owen Scott ran away the state title in 4:10.19. He had a 60-second first lap and followed with three in the 63-second range. The rest of the field all had more than 64-second splits on the middle two laps. Scott was eighth at state last year.

“It’s upsetting because it’s Ohio State,” Roach said. “I wanted to win.”

Fairfield Union senior Andrew Walton, a two-time Division II state cross country champion, was second (4:11.52).

South Range senior Emmitt Slabach finished third in a 4:12.19 –beating his school record by seven seconds. He was seventh with one lap to go. His final lap of 60.13 seconds was the fastest of any lap in the 18-runner field.

Minerva junior Rowen Hoffee placed 13th (4:18.89).

The top six finishers are seniors and the next seven are juniors.

“I think Maddox has really high hopes,” East Liverpool boys coach Andy Miller said. “It was all seniors in front of him that finished the D2 mile. He could be the favorite to win it next year. ”

“Maybe I could more differently, but I’m going to get ready for cross country,” Roach said.

He said he has not taken cross county too seriously in the past.

“Not in recent years, but I’m going to take it seriously next season,” he said.

Roach wrapped up his weekend with two state medals. He joined Julius Jones, Quintin Conrad and Brody Vulgamore on the 3200 relay team that finished third Friday — the first Potter relay team to score at state.

“I expected myself to be more in the conversation in the 1600,” Roach said. “But I consider this weekend to be a success.”