2024 Boys Track Preview Capsules: Team-by-team look at the upcoming season in the area

Here are capsule looks at each of the Marion area's high school girls track and field teams as they get ready to compete in the 2024 season:

Cardington Pirates

• Conference: Knox Morrow Athletic Conference.

• Coach: Clayton Osborne (sixth season).

• Assistant: Andy Meade.

• Key Personnel: Aiden Reitmire (Sr., 5th at district in 800 in 2:00), Jason Bockbrader (Sr., injured last year, 400), A.J. Brehm (Jr., high jump, long jump, 400), Kalin Briggs (Jr., sprints, first season), Isaiah Nippert (Jr., sprints, first season), Samuel Jones (Jr., distance races, transfer from West Virginia), Blake Bertke (So., shot put, discus).

• Notes: The Pirates added some new athletes to the mix for 2024 ... No athletes made it out of districts last year ... They have been putting in the reps during the preseason ... Being so young as a squad is a concern ... They only lost one runner to graduation ... The Pirates are hopeful they can be competitive with the better teams in the KMAC this year.

• Comment: "Right now we are focused and driven, and the kids are performing well in practice," Osborne said. "All I ask of them is the be better than yesterday."

Elgin Comets

• Conference: Northwest Central Conference.

• Coach: Jeff Ferrell (10th season).

• Assistants: Maddie Gantz, Tracy Hix, Mike Thomas, Steve Whitaker.

• Last Season: Fourth in the NWCC.

• Roster: Ronnie Newman (Sr., LJ, sprints, letter), Kaden Thomas ((Jr., sprints, letter), Karson Thomas (Jr., sprints, letter), Dylan Phillips (Jr., sprints, hurdles), Barrett Helms (Jr., pole vault, sprints), Landon Shepard (Jr., throws, sprints), Wingate Carey (So., PV, sprints, letter), Nate Freshour (So., HJ, sprints, middle distances, letter), David Colby (So., distance), Gavin Conley (So., throws), Zane Darling (So., throws, sprints), Kyran Doss (So., throws), Garret Lowry (So., throws), Kolby Newman (So., PV, LJ, letter), Quenten Veach (So., PV, sprints), Bo Daniels (Fr., middle distance), Drew Brown (Fr., throws, sprints).

• Notes: The Comets have a strong core of sprinters and throwers ... They are light in numbers and experience in the hurdles and distance races ... They are hopeful to have some individual NWCC winners and to compete with the top half of the league as a team ... They lost Kolby Wasserback, Ethan Marshall, Sage Brewer and Isaac Dillon who hold the 4x800-meter relay school record and finished 12th at the state meet in Division III ... Dillon also left with the 400 record ... Gabe Freshour and Kaine Krawczyk also graduated.

• Comment: "Improve each day, work hard and extend our season beyond districts," Ferrell said of the team's goals.

Look back at last year's capsules: 2023 Boys Track Overview Capsules

More from 2023: Boys Track Overview: Individual talents dot landscape

Highland Scots

• Conference: Mid Ohio Athletic Conference.

• Coach: Luke Beal (first season, seventh overall).

• Assistants: Denny West (distance, PV), Barry Meyers (throws), Kipp Nelson (sprints), Satchel Denton (sprints, jumps).

• Last Season: Seventh at Division II district, eight athletes went to regionals.

• Regional Returnees: Kieran Taylor (13-0 in PV, district runner-up, injured right now), Zane Sheets (4x800-meter relay district runner-up in 8:25.63), Toby Rogers (third in 300-meter hurdles in 43.73, fourth in 110 hurdles in 16.97 and third in 4x400 relay in 3:35.58), Matthew Miller (third in 1600 in 10:23).

• Notes: Highland graduated a strong senior class ... Younger athletes are expected to step up and make solid contributions.

• Comment: "Our overall goal is to work hard so that we can show continuous improvement throughout what will undoubtedly be a tough MOAC schedule," Beal said.

Marion Harding Presidents

• Conference: MOAC.

• Coach: Jerome Bohanna (45th season).

• Last Season: Sixth in MOAC.

• Key Returnees: Kade Sutherland (Sr., 1600, 3200), Carter Ferguson (Sr., 1600, 3200, MOAC cross country champion in 2023), Kamin Faggs (sprints), Ridge Barkley (sprints).

• Notes: Faggs and Barkley were members of the league-winning 4x100 and 4x200 sprint relay teams ... The Presidents have a large freshman class competing ... They want to earns MOAC titles in as many individual and relay events as possible ... Bohanna wants to see personal records weekly from his athletes.

• Comment: "Qualify to the regional and state meet in their individual and relays," Bohanna said of the top goals.

Mount Gilead Indians

• Conference: KMAC.

• Coach: Lauren Huelsman (10th season).

• Assistants: Sabrina Bolha (LJ), Rachel Hatfield (PV), Jake Hayes (distance), Bob Henry (hurdles), Matt Scott (HJ), Melissa Shipman (throws), Brandon Strain (throws).

• Last Season: KMAC champs, Division III district champs, four state qualifiers.

• Roster: Owen Hershner (So., distance, 2023 state qualifier), Griffin McClelland (So., throws, letter), Gauge Shipman (So., throws, letter), Will Baker (Jr., distance, 2023 and 2024 indoor state qualifier, 2022 and 2023 outdoor state qualifier, All-Ohio in 2023), Joey Baldwin (Jr., throws, letter), Josh Burnaugh (Jr., distance, jumps, letter), Chris Carpenter (Jr., throws, letter), Jonathan Miller (Jr., sprints, 2023 regional qualifier, 2024 indoor state qualifier), Carson Mowery (Jr., throws, letter), Parker Bartlett (Sr., distance, 2023 and 2024 indoor state qualifier, 2022 and 2023 outdoor state qualifier), Quade Harris (Sr., sprints, 2022 outdoor state qualifier, 2024 indoor state qualifier), Logan High (Sr., sprints, 2022 outdoor state qualifier, 2024 indoor state qualifier), Collin Gabriel (Sr., sprints, 2024 indoor state qualifier), Wyatt Mowry (Sr., distance, hurdles, 2023 state alternate), Gage Bowersmith (Fr., sprints, hurdles), Elias Bulkowski (Fr., distance, jumps), Tae Davis (Fr., sprints, hurdles), Grant LaRoche (Fr., sprints, jumps), Wyatt Long (Fr., sprints, jumps), Quintin Pierce (Fr., throws, jumps), Rowan Shaw (Fr., distance), Liam Stalnaker (Fr., distance, jumps), Kasen Wallace (Fr., distance, jumps), Nolan Hershner (So., distance, jumps), Landon Spoon (Sr., sprints).

• Notes: Several Indians return with big-meet experience ... They did lose three state qualifiers to graduation in Matthew Bland, Aaron Gannon and Owen High, plus state alternate Cole Hershner ... They also graduated thrower Ben Whitt and regional finalist Abram Shonk who was a sprinter and high jumper ... The sprinters have four with state experience, while the distance crew is coming off a state runner-up cross country season ... The throwers are a deep unit ... Mount Gilead is young in the hurdles and jumps ... They are looking for a third straight district crown and 12th in program history.

• Comment: "Creating the right event lineup to win the KMAC team title is always a priority," Huelsman said. "Our boys team has won the MOAC or KMAC title each season since 2015. This group is hungry to continue that success."

Northmor Golden Knights

• Conference: KMAC.

• Coach: Kevin Ruhl (10th season).

• Assistants: Dee Yunker, Mark Hunter, Todd Miracle.

• Last Season: KMAC runner-up, Division III district runner-up, sixth at regional.

• Key Returnees: Ryan Lehman (Sr., four-time state qualifier in cross country, distance), Ryan Lowry (Jr., throws), Vance Johnson (Jr., throws), Bo Landin (Jr., sprints), Cowin Becker (Jr., sprints, LJ), Griffin Healea (Sr., distance, middle distance), Cade Miracle (Jr., PV), Levi Hunter (So., hurdles, PV, middle distance), David Blunk (So., distance), Owen Yunker (Jr., hurdles, sprints, distance).

• Notes: Last year's 4x100-meter relay was third in the state with Becker and Landin back from it ... They must replace Connor Radojcsics and Luacs Weaver who were part of that relay with Radojcsics also competing at state in the pole vault ... The Golden Knights will be strong in the distance events, pole vault, long jump and longer relays ... The key to success will be scoring points in the field and distance events ... They have some new sprinters to join Landin and Becker, but they lack depth ... They are inexperienced in the throws.

• Comment: "Our goal will be to try to compete at a high level and do the best we can in the events we are able to fill," Ruhl said. "We also hope to get several guys to the state meet with a chance to compete. It will be tough to repeat last season's success in the KMAC and district where where we finished second behind Mount Gilead. We are definitely strong in several events, but do we have the depth in as many events to score well as a team? This remains to be answered."

North Union Wildcats

• Conference: Central Buckeye Conference Mad River Division.

• Coach: Cole Krawczyk (fifth season, seventh overall),

• Assistants: Penny Cunningham, Syd Bacon, Ivan Leavitt.

• Last Season: Mad River runner-up, fifth in Division II district,

• Roster: Gavin Craft (Sr., sprints), Ayden Hawkins (Sr., throws), Henry Hayward (Sr., letter, PV), Owen Hoffer (Sr., throws, letter), Tyler Huff (Sr., distance, letter), Glade Jolliff (Sr., throws), Cameron Osborne (Sr., sprints), Everett Robinson (Sr., sprints), Carter Skaggs (Sr., sprints, letter), Eric Snider (Sr., sprints), Josh Ahern (Jr., sprints), Tim Collier (Jr., sprints), Wyatt Davis (Jr., HJ, letter), Noah Lewis (Jr., throws), Traven Reber (Jr., distance, letter), Braedon Scowden (Jr., HJ), Eddie Blair (So., throws), Ben Bonnell (So., distance), Landry Dible (So., throws), Hunter Green (So., throws), R.J. Hillyard (So., sprints), Trace Huff (So., sprints), Nathan Jones (So., sprints), Max Leavitt (So., distance), Ethan Miller (So., throws), Griffin Osborne (So., sprints), Gavin Potts (So., throws), Brock Smith (So., throws), Hezekiah VanHoose (So., throws), Nick VanHoose (So. sprints), Jacob Weigan (So., sprints), Wyatt Arver (Fr., sprints), Connor Cobb (Fr., throws), Brycen Delawder (Fr., sprints), Tristan Granlee (Fr., sprints), Xavier Gruber (Fr., sprints), Jaxon Heminger (Fr., sprints), Zachary Meyer (Fr., distance), Keyon Mincey (Fr., sprints), Kadrin Riffle (Fr., sprints), Brady Staley (Fr., throws), Ryan Staley (Fr., sprints), Luke Taylor (Fr., sprints), Peyton Wood (Fr., throws).

• Notes: The Wildcats are fast, experienced and determined to win ... After losing last year's conference title by 12 points, the group is driven this year ... With 45 on the roster there is no shortage of athletes ... They are young in the relays, so they need to mature quickly ... They are inexperienced in the throws, too ... Among the athletes they need to replace is state qualifying shot putter Drue Duncan, regional medalists Lincoln Harrah, Trey Bossaller, Cayden Smith and Tyler Fout ... Ben Logan, Shawnee and Indian Lake will provide the best competition in the league.

• Comment: "I believe that we have just reloaded this year, and with the determination of our athletes, I feel that we are in the best place to make a great run," Krawczyk said.

Pleasant Spartans

• Conference: MOAC.

• Coach: Rich Nelson (ninth season, 31st overall).

• Assistants: Beth Lichtenberger, Clay Cheney, Ed Brown, Aaron Marburger.

• Last Season: Ninth in Division III district.

• Roster: Joey Bradac (Sr., throws, PV, letter), Liam Curtis (Sr., distance, letter), Stephen Howard (Sr., sprints, letter), Carter Mattix (Sr., sprints, HM MOAC, letter), Ethan Nutter (Sr., middle distance, letter), Landon O'Donnell (Sr., throws, letter), Brayden Rinehart (Sr., distance), Trenton Sparling (Sr., throws, letter), Nick Swartz (Sr., distance, second-team MOAC, state qualifier 1600, broke 1600 school record three times and lowered it by six seconds), Nathen Wansik (Sr., sprints, letter), Hudson Warner (Sr., hurdles, sprints, LJ, HM MOAC, sixth at regional in 110 hurdles, LJ regional qualifier), Michael Brown (Jr., throws, letter), Caleb Cameron (Jr., middle distance, HM MOAC, letter), Joey Compton (Jr., sprints), Charles Holsinger (Jr., sprints), Jared Leikala (Jr., throws), Will Lichtenberger (Jr., distance, letter), Elijah McGinniss (Jr., middle distance, letter), Connor Murphy (Jr., throws), Jace Trachtenberg (Jr., sprints), Cole Bailey (Sr., sprints), Drew Blubaugh (So., sprints, jumps, letter), Ethan Hall (So., sprints, letter), Noah Roettger (So., sprints, hurdles), Jackson Caldwell (Fr., sprints), Bryson Coffey (Fr., throws), Ethan Cress (Fr., throws), Joey Deitsch (Fr., distance), Alex Evert (Sr., sprints), Jacob Myers (Fr., middle distance, distance), Keenan Perriguey (Fr., distance), Nathan Wagenblast (Fr., distance).

• Notes: With 32 boys and half of them veterans, the Spartans have decent numbers for 2024 ... They will be strong in the middle distance, distance and throws ... They are coachable and have a desire to be successful ... Staying healthy is key ... Developing the underclassmen is key ... They must replace all-league distance runner Jonah Bowdle.

• Comment: "Improve on our district finish from last year of ninth out of 30 teams and qualify athletes to regional and ultimately to the state meet," Nelson said of his team's goals.

Ridgedale Rockets

• Conference: NWCC.

• Coach: Asch Tilley (third season).

• Assistant: Stephanie Tilley.

• Roster: Landon Murphy (Sr., 4x100, LJ district finals, letter), Evan Ricketts (So., SP, 4x100, 200, 100, letter), Logan Applegate (So., HJ, hurdles, letter), Brogan Weston (So., 1600, 3200, district finals 3200, letter), Jamison Potts (Jr., SP, discus, letter), Caiden Daniels (Jr.), Brody Fultz (So.), Gavin Parish (Sr.), Breyton Richmond (Fr.).

• Notes: Ridgedale's strengths will be in the relays, 1600, 800, 3200 and 200 ... The Rockets have a good group of young kids with only two seniors on the roster ... It will be the first time that some of these athletes will be tasked with four events in each meet, so it's unsure how they will handle the load ... The throws are a concern ... They must replace district finalist hurdler Gage Gleespen.

• Comment: Tilley feels with what they have coming back to go with the newcomers, that they can have a successful season.

River Valley Vikings

• Conference: MOAC.

• Coach: Aric Smith (24th season, 35th overall).

• Roster: Brady Cookson (Sr., 46-0 SP), Jared Slone (Sr., 46-0 SP), Xavier Hensel (Sr., 6-0 HJ), Chase Osborne (Sr., distance), Zeke Klenzman (Sr., sprints), Elijah Johnson (Sr., sprints), Gabe Douce (Sr., third at indoor state meet in 800 at 1:57.35), Cooper Miller (Sr., 6th in state in PV at 14-8, cleared 15-1 in indoor season, sixth in indoor state in PV at 14-6), Ethan Lyon (Sr., sixth at state in SP at 55-9 1/4, threw 58-11 in indoor season, third at indoor state meet in SP at 58-7 1/2 and fourth in weight throw at 65-7, state qualifier in discus last year at 160-plus), Adison Babb (Jr., sprints, hurdles), Jaxon Caudill (Jr., sprints), Daniel Laytart (Jr., sprints), Ian Robbins (Jr., throws), Ian Burns (So., sprints), Logan Creps (So., sprints), David Mantas Barrientos (So., sprints), Jackson Kloha (So., throws), Conner Davis (Fr., sprints), Riley Hummel (Fr., sprints), Job Dean (Fr., PV), Ben Isler (Fr., PV), Harrison Lee (Fr., distance), Reed McCall (Fr., distance), Jaiden Slone (Fr., distance), Kael Swartz (Fr., distance), Xander Watts (Fr., throws).

• Notes: The seniors are the unquestioned leaders of the team, and all of them are elite talents ... The seniors combine experience, attitude, work ethic and leadership for the Vikings ... They have goals of winning the county meet, the MOAC championship and getting athletes to the regional and state meets ... They must replace thrower Eli Axline, jumper Mason Miracle, sprinter Cayden Shidone, and multi-time state high jump placer Grant Butler.

• Comment: "The MOAC will not be easily attained as our conference is an excellent track and field conference. Shelby, Galion, Ontario, Clear Fork, Highland, Pleasant and Harding will all have good squads with some elite athletes," Smith said.

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This article originally appeared on Marion Star: 2024 Marion-Area Boys Track Preview Capsules: A look at each team