MASON, Ohio -- Davis Robey didn't think twice about being honest at last week's district track and field meet, regardless of the result. After all, it was simply the right thing to do.
An official scorer had erroneously listed Robey in fourth place at the Division I district discus meet May 16 at Mason. The scorer had marked down 137 feet for Robey's throw in the finals when in reality he had thrown only 132 feet.
Instead of qualifying for the regional by finishing in the top four, the Mason senior finished seventh. Moeller senior Nick Marsh earned the fourth and final spot.
"It's unfair for someone who did throw farther than me to not move on, because they worked just as hard as I did," Robey said. "That was my whole thought process on the whole thing, and everything was resolved."
The meet was rainy that afternoon and night, and many of the athletes and coaches moved on after the competition. Thankfully, Robey, Mason throws coach Paul Barry and Moeller athletes and coaches were there to hear the results from the scorer.
Robey immediately went to the official when he heard the results.
"It was a great show of integrity and sportsmanship," Mason Athletic Director Scott Stemple said.
Robey said Moeller supporters thanked him for being honest.
"I didn't think it was such a big deal to do this, because I thought most people would," Robey said.
Moeller track and field coach Jason Crockett appreciated Robey's honesty.
"It really showed Davis' character and great sportsmanship," Crockett said. "He represented Mason High School well."
Throwers often compete against each other a handful of times or more over the course of a spring, and there is a camaraderie present in the individual sport.
Robey, a Mount Union signee, did qualify to Friday's regional at Huber Heights Wayne in the shot put after placing third in the district (50 feet, 2.75 inches). Barry believes Robey also has a good opportunity to qualify for the state meet in Columbus June 1-2.
Robey was the Greater Miami Conference champion this season in the shot put after he placed sixth at the regional as a junior.
Mason boys' track and field coach Chip Dobson said Robey takes his craft very seriously. Robey had thrown discus for only a few months prior to last week.
"Davis has been developing nicely over the last four years and has made every effort to improve himself each year," Dobson said. "This winter he qualified to the indoor state meet in the shot put and set a new personal best at that meet."
Dobson said Robey cares about his teammates and has a strong moral compass.
"He has worked at Matthew 25 Ministries, worked with students with disabilities in a youth baseball league and has volunteered at the local women's shelter," Dobson said.
Robey, 17, plans to study sports management and marketing in college and hopes to be a general manager of a professional sports team one day.
"He's got a bright future ahead of him, not only as a thrower but as a person," Barry said.
