No clowning around, this MacDonald’s loving it
By Matt Pawlikowski
Sports
Published June 6, 2007

North Olmsted’s Steve MacDonald shows his stuff in the long jump. Just a junior, he placed third in Ohio, and should return as one of the best next year. (West Life photo by Larry Bennet)

You may recognize the name from basketball, as Steve MacDonald is one of the better hoopsters at North Olmsted.

On Friday in Columbus, the junior accomplished something no one else has done in the history of North Olmsted boys track, which goes back to the 1940s. He earned a medal in a field event.

The last time North Olmsted had a trackster place as high in boys action was in 2003, when Aaron Arlinghaus took home the boys 3200-meter title, but never in the field events.

And although MacDonald was the lone Eagle represented in the meet, he ended his day in style with a trip to the podium, as his leap of 22-7 in the long jump was good enough for third place.

“I jumped as good as I have all year,” said MacDonald after the meet. “I’ve been consistent around the mid 22s; I thought I had a good chance.”

And what a chance it was. 

For a while he was the best in Ohio, as his leap of  22-7 1/2 in the finals put him in first place. He stayed there despite fouling on four of his six attempts into the second round of finals. His final attempt, which was barely a foul, looked as if it would be for the championship, but it was not meant to be.

Huber Heights’ Wayne Jordan McPherson won the event with a leap of 22-10 in the finals. Firestone’s Colin Fahe, who jumped 22-7 3/4, also passed MacDonald.

What makes MacDonald’s feat even more impressive is the fact that last year he jumped in just one meet, the Southwestern Conference meet.

“From the beginning of the year when Steve went out and jumped 22-feet, we knew he had a good shot of getting to Columbus,’’ said an ecstatic coach Mike Ptacek. “Once he accomplished that, he set a goal to finish in the top eight, and he accomplished that and I’m very proud of him.”

He broke the school record, which was an old one, dating back to 1962 at the Perry Invitational on April 22, with his leap of 22-7. So the only thing he could do was better it, which he did at a fantastic venue, the state meet. Ray Lenga held the old mark, with a 22-2 3/4.

Asked if he was surprised by MacDonald’s feat, Ptacek said no.

“It’s one of those deals where every year you think you have a good chance of getting some kids there, but there are always bumps in the road,’’ said Ptacek. “Steve was able to overcome those bumps and it’s a tribute to his work ethic. Hopefully this will help push him even further next year.”