Boys high school track and field: 20 athletes to watch heading into 2024 season

It's time for high school track and field athletes to take their talents outdoors.

The 2024 season started Saturday and will get into full swing this week. Over the next few days we will preview some of Stark County's top runners, jumpers, throwers and seated athletes.

HIGH SCHOOL TRACK AND FIELD: 'A cooperative effort': Stark County indoor track and field meet grows in second year

Here are 20 of the top boys athletes to keep an eye on this season.

Carson Basham, Perry, sr.

Division I state qualifier in the 200 meters who ran a personal-best 21.84 seconds in the prelims. Ranked No. 1 Stark County. Helped Perry's 800 relay to a state berth.

Brennan Betz, Central Catholic, sr.

Two-time Division III state qualifier in the 110 hurdles at East Canton. District champion in 2022 and runner-up in 2023. Ran a personal-best 15.42 at the Norwayne regional to finish third.

Colin Cernansky, Marlington, sr.

Back-to-back Division II state champion in the 1,600 meters and as a member of Marlington's 3,200 relay. Ran a personal-best 4:13.16 in winning the 1,600 at the Austintown Fitch regional. Expected to be a contender in the 800 after winning a district title. Helped the Dukes win the Division II-III team title at this year's coaches association indoor state meet. Won a cross country individual state title in 2022 and led the Dukes to their third straight team title in 2023.

Cole Dobina, Jackson, sr.

The county's top returning 400 runner. Ran a personal-best 49.66 on his way to a third-place finish at the Division I district meet. Helped lead Jackson to the team title.

Andrew Hearn, Fairless, soph.

One of the county's up-and-coming distance runners. Enters the outdoor season on the heels of a sixth-place finish in the 1,600 at the coaches association indoor state meet. PAC-7 champion in cross country last fall. Went on to become a Division II state qualifier.

Aiden Geer, Canton South, sr.

Aiming to reach the state meet in the shot put after becoming a regional qualifier last season. Ranked second in the county with a throw of 51 feet, 4 inches.

Rowen Hoffee, Minerva, soph.

Division II state qualifier last season. Finished 13th in the 1,600. Ran a personal-best 4:27.65 at regionals. Helped lead Minerva's 3,200 relay to state.

Eli Ilg, Jackson, jr.

District champion and state qualifier in the Division I 3,200. Ran a personal-best 9:12.69 to finish third at regionals and rank No. 3 in the county. Helped lead Jackson's 3,200 relay to a state berth. Led led the Polar Bears cross country team to its first Division I state championship last fall. Finished state runner-up individually.

Skylan King, GlenOak, jr.

Division I state qualifier in the long jump. Finished 12th with a personal-best jump of 21-11.5. Ranked third in the county.

Wesley Marsden, GlenOak, sr.

Member of GlenOak's 3,200 relay which finished ninth in Division I at state. Relay's time of 7:49.92 ranked No. 1 in the county. Ranked fifth in the county in the 400.

Dante McClellan, McKinley, jr.

Division I football recruit who could make a big impact in track and field this spring. Cleared 6-3 to finish second in the high jump at the indoor county meet. Qualified for state indoors.

Jason Morris, Sandy Valley, sr.

Finished 12th in the Division II high jump at his first state meet last season. Jumped a personal-best 6-3 to win a district title. Regional qualifier in the long jump.

Michael Nicholls, Marlington, sr.

Finished ninth in the Division II 3,200 at state. District runner-up and third-place finisher at regionals, where he ran a personal-best 9:28.02. Helped lead Marlington's cross country team to a third straight Division II state championship last fall and the Division II-III indoor track and field state title in March.

Braedon Paolini, GlenOak, sr.

Teamed up with Marsden on GlenOak's state qualifying 3,200 relay. Ranked No. 3 in the county in the 400.

Will Prato, Jackson, sr.

Member of Jackson's 3,200 relay that came in 12th in Division I at state. Helped lead the relay to a district title. Regional qualifier in the 800. Helped the Polar Bears cross country team win its first state title last fall.

Keith Quincy, McKinley, jr.

Hopes to make a smooth transition outdoors after a successful indoor season. Cleared 6-4 ito win the high jump at this year's indoor county meet.

Connor Reed, Perry, sr.

Finished 14th in the Division I 1,600 run at state. Ran a personal-best 4:15.81 in securing the fourth and final qualifying berth at regionals. Ranked fifth in the county.

Connor Satterfield, Northwest, sr.

Ranked No. 1 in the county in the discus last season with a throw of 156-6. Broke a Northwest record that stood for 47 years. Also owns the second-longest throw in team history at 153-4.

TaShaun Smith, Massillon, sr.

Division I regional qualifier after sweeping the 100 and 200 titles at districts. Ran personal bests of 11.21 in the 100 and 22.41 in the 200. Helped the Tigers' 400 relay team reach state.

Ja'Brailon Wilcox, GlenOak, sr.

Expected to be one of the area's stop sprinters. Won titles in the 200 and as a member of the Golden Eagles 800 relay at this year's indoor county meet.

Reach Mike at mike.popovich@cantonrep.com

On X: @mpopovichREP

This article originally appeared on The Repository: 20 high school boys track and field athletes to watch in 2024