Dave Mirth '81

Dave Mirth, Class of 1981, was one of Poland High School’s most accomplished distance runners, excelling in both track and cross country.

In track, Dave captured the 1981 Class AAA State Championship in the 3200-meter run with a time of 9:17.84. He established school records in the 1600 meters (4:19.3), 3200 meters (9:09.0), and the four-mile relay (18:50.0). A six-time Mahoning Valley Conference Champion, he won conference titles in the 800-meter and 1600-meter races three times each while helping Poland claim the 1979 and 1980 conference team championships. As a senior, he was undefeated in all individual races and finished eighth in the 3200 meters at the 1979 Class AAA State Meet.

In cross country, Dave finished as the 1980 Class AAA State Meet Runner-up after placing fifth at the 1979 Class AAA State Meet, earning All-Ohio honors in both seasons. He was a two-time Mahoning Valley Conference individual and team champion and remained undefeated in dual meets throughout his Poland career. His accomplishments also included a district runner-up finish, a sectional championship, and victories in four invitationals as a senior, including the Malone Invitational. As a junior, he added a sectional title and wins in three invitational meets.