The 2015 OHSAA State Track and Field Championships didn't start the way Denzel Ward had hoped Friday afternoon at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium. But on Saturday, Ward was all smiles as things wrapped up.
Ward qualified for the state meet in three events: the 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash and 4x200-meter relay. But on Friday in his preliminary heat of the 100, his first event, the 2015 Ohio State signee out of Nordonia High School false started and was disqualified.
He qualified for Saturday's finals in his other two races and, after taking eighth in the 4x200 relay finals he stood atop the podium as state champion in the 200, turning in a time of 21.