In addition to our own swimmer extraordinaire Josh Quallen, a couple of athletes with ties to Clinton County also are involved in the U.S. Olympic Trials in their respective sports.
Long-distance runner Angela Bizzarri and swimmer David Dinsmore have reached a high level of accomplishment in their respective disciplines..
Bizzarri, a Mason High School graduate and one of the most decorated distance runners in Ohio prep track and field history, is the daughter of Paul and Diane Bizzarri. Paul works at TimberTech.
Dinsmore is the son of Allan and Stephanie Dinsmore. Stephanie is formerly the band director at Blanchester High School.
Dinsmore finished third — the top two advanced to the Olympics — in the 10-meter platform diving competition in Indianapolis last week.
Bizzarri was scheduled to compete Thursday night in the 5,000-meter run in Eugene, Ore.
At the University of Illinois, Bizzarri was a three-time national champion, a nine-time All-America runner, a five-time Big Ten champion, a six time Academic All-Big Ten selection, a two-time Academic All-America runner and a school record-holder in seven events.
Bizzarri was named the 2009 United States Track and Field/Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) National Cross Country Athlete of the Year along with earning the Honda Sports Award for cross country. She also was honored as the Dike Eddleman Female Athlete of the Year for three consecutive years, tying the school record, and was named Illinois’ Newcomer of the Year as a freshman.
Following her collegiate running career, Bizzarri signed a partnership with Brooks Sports, Inc., to begin her pursuit of a professional running career.
At Mason High School, Bizzarri won state cross country championships in 2002 and 2004. In track and field, she won four straight 3,200-meter run state titles as well as the 1,600-meter title in 2006.
Dinsmore just wrapped up his freshman year at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Fla. He attended New Albany High School.
He was a member of Team USA in the 2015 World Championships as well as the 2014 World Cup team. Dinsmore made his senior national debut in 2013, winning synchronized 10-meter and placing second on 10-meter at AT&T National Diving Championships and USA Diving Winter National Championships.
He won his first individual senior national title with 10-meter win at 2015 AT&T National Diving Championships. He was a bronze medalist on platform at 2012 Junior World Championships and a two-time junior national champion on platform (2010, 2012). Dinsmore earned the bronze medal in 10-meter synchro at 2014 FINA Grand Prix in Mexico and at 2013 FINA Grand Prix in Puerto Rico.
MOUNT RUSHMORE: Received good response from folks as to your thoughts on your school’s sports Mount Rushmore figures. Will share your responses as well as mine soon.
The premise, in case you missed it, was to come up with four sports figures whose face should be carved into a school’s Mount Rushmore.
It’s tougher than you might think when you are pinned down to just four people, either athletes or coaches.
Think of it like this. Wilmington’s quartet of Oakie Waddell, Greg Nared, Monica Howard and Mike “Big Daddy” Wilson would make a great Mount Rushmore, but were four who missed the cut for some.
Who would have bumped them out of contention? More on that later.
I MISS … : Stirrups on high school baseball players, listening to Joe with Marty, Zots, having pizza with stringers in the office following Friday night football and basketball games, Bob Bowmanisms.
