DD Making it happen Photo Courtesy of Dayton Daily News Staff Photo Jan Underwood

He was frustrated because his jump of 23 feet, 3/4 inch was only good for second. He was also full of admiration for defending state champion Josh Bass of Springfield.

Bass had gone 23-0 on his first attempt in the preliminaries and passed on his next two attempts. He figured he wouldn’t have to jump in the finals and could concentrate on the 100 meters and 400 relay.

But when Davis took the lead, Bass came back after running in the 100 and took one jump, going 23-1 1/2 to win.

“Josh is a great athlete,” Davis said. “Gotta give him credit. He took the challenge and got me.”

Davis was also pleased for a chance at redemption. Last year he was third in the regional at 22-7. He had high hopes at state but finished last in the field of 16, barely getting over 19 feet.

“I was really nervous and just didn’t jump like I could,” Davis said. “I’m more focused this year and goal-oriented. I’m glad I get a chance to go back to state and hope I can make a much better showing.”

The top four individuals in each event advance to the state meet June 4-5 at Ohio State’s Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium in Columbus.

Wednesday was mostly about qualifying to Friday’s finals, with remaining field events at 4 p.m. and running finals at 5.

• Centerville’s Michael Bennett won the boys discus with a regional record throw of 196-3. That is the third best toss in the state this year and No. 9 nationally according to dyestat.com.

“I could tell when I let the throw go it was a good one, but I thought it might be 189 or 190,” Bennett said. “When the official announced 196-3 I was really surprised. I wasn’t really worried about breaking any record. I just wanted to get back to state.”

The previous regional record was 192-4 by Chandler Burden of Cincinnati La Salle in 2008.

• Springboro won the girls 3,200 relay. The team of Katie Kessler, Alex Mahle, Rachel Mahle and Carly Hamilton hit the finish line at 9 minutes, 19.97 seconds.

Vandalia Butler was second at 9:22.68. Hamilton was 40 yards back in fourth when she got the baton. Within the first lap she had run down the field en route to an anchor leg of 2:12.5.

• Lucy Sherman of Vandalia Butler was the girls discus champ at 131-11.