Jamier Brown leads Big Walnut boys track to share of OHSAA state title

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In the final meet of what will likely be his only track and field season at Big Walnut, junior Jamier Brown helped the Golden Eagles reach new heights June 7 at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.

Brown, a five-star football recruit who has committed to Ohio State as a wide receiver, was part of three first-place performances – including two record-setters – at the Division II state meet, leading Big Walnut to a share of the team championship.

It was the first state title in program history for the Golden Eagles, who tied New Philadelphia with 41 points.

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“We thought we had the right pieces,” coach Ryan Borland said. “Moving to Division II [from Division I], we thought we could do well. The message to our kids is we have to be good and if Jamier is able to be with us, it’s icing on the cake. Football is calling. I was just trying to get him through track. Our goal was for him to be able to write his own story in track and field, and I think he did a pretty good job of that.”

Brown, who won the Division I state title in the 100 meters last year for Huber Heights Wayne, won the 100 (10.42 seconds) and 200 (20.91) and anchored the first-place 400 relay (41.53), which also included Braydan Giesler, Jaxen Elliott and Dexter Chhuom.

Brown’s 200 time and the 400 relay set OHSAA Division II and Division II state-meet records.

Brown said he entered the state meet around 90% health-wise because he had been battling a groin injury for most of the season. Before the meet, the OHSAA said Brown met one of the exceptions under its transfer rules to be eligible for a full season.

Brown expects to graduate early and enroll at Ohio State in early 2027.

“A lot of people doubted me early in the year,” Brown said. “A lot of people didn’t know I was battling a groin injury. I still like to push myself. I also take care of myself. That’s another reason why I’m here today. … I take good care of my body.”

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Big Walnut also got a win from sophomore Chase Bergsten in the 110 hurdles (14.39).

Fremont Ross’ Mason Englund crossed the finish line first, but was later disqualified for running through a hurdle. Oregon Clay’s Barack James, another favorite entering the race, was disqualified for a false start.

Also in Division II, Beechcroft junior Nehemiah Mills pulled off a records trifecta in the 400, with his time of 46.91 setting marks for OHSAA Division II, the Division II state meet and Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.

Mills, who also was sixth in the 100 (10.67) and seventh in the 200 (21.57), won the 400 in Division I last season.

“I feel so relieved,” he said. “Words can’t describe how good I feel. It’s amazing. At first, I was a little concerned that I wouldn’t have much competition in Division II as D-I, but D-II definitely has the upper hand over D-I, especially this year.”

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Several Division I boys athletes turned in championship efforts at state, including Olentangy Liberty junior TJ Lichter, who won the 110 hurdles (13.92).

“I just wanted to show people who I am, and I knew I could do it,” Lichter said. “I had to put the little things together. I worked on a lot of technique stuff. It feels great. I’ve never had a feeling like this before.”

Olentangy Berlin senior Miles King won the 300 hurdles (36.93), finishing ahead of runner-up Khalil Church (37.14) of Gahanna Lincoln.

“It feels great finally getting to this point and the hard work paying off, getting that gold [medal],” said King, who finished second in the 300 hurdles last season and will compete at Indiana University.

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Olentangy’s Jet Cornelius, Joaquin Love, Brody Maslouski and Jacob Linley won the 800 relay (1:25.49).

“It feels great,” said Cornelius, who ran the anchor leg. “It feels great to bring it home to Lewis Center, Ohio. I’m glad I can be a part of this.”

Love, Linley, Jai Tucker and Evan Plymale finished second in the 1,600 relay (3:17.03).

Lancaster’s Gabriel McNeil won the 800 (1:52.46), with Dublin Jerome’s Graham Tyler finishing third (1:53.34) a day after anchoring the Celtics’ first-place 3,200 relay.

“It’s amazing,” McNeil said. “I still have a little bit of adrenaline. It will probably kick in when I look at Instagram. It feels surreal.”

Gahanna’s Ronald Neal won the long jump (23 feet, 4¼ inches) and teammate Elijah Daniels finished second (23-1½).

Gahanna finished second (47) in the team standings behind Wayne (55). Jerome finished fourth (32) and Olentangy was sixth (31).

High school sports reporter Frank DiRenna can be reached at fdirenna@dispatch.com and at @DispatchFrank on X.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State recruit Jamier Brown leads Big Walnut track to state title