Boys Track 2024: Questions for all 10 Marion-area squads ahead of the season
The ultimate goal for any performer is to make it to the state track and field championships, and the Marion-area has several candidates to make the trip to Dayton this year, site of this year's meet.
River Valley's Cooper Miller and Ethan Lyon are state qualifiers along with Pleasant's Nick Swartz, Mount Gilead's Will Baker, Parker Bartlett and Owen Hershner and Northmor's Bo Landin and Cowin Becker.
They are primed to head back to the state meet, and others have similar aspirations.
Here's a closer look at the area's 10 boys track teams as they get ready for the 2024 season and the challenges ahead.
More boys track: 2024 Boys Track Preview Capsules: Team-by-team look at the upcoming season in the area
More girls track: Girls Track 2024: Questions for all 10 Marion-area squads ahead of the season
After Miller and Lyon, who else can River Valley count on?
Several guys it turns out. Gabe Douce has long been one of the area's top middle distance runners. Now a senior, look for him to be part of the state contingent for the 800 meters, especially after finishing third at the indoor state meet a few weeks ago. Other senior names to watch for coach Aric Smith include throwers Brady Cookson and Jared Slone, jumper and sprinter Xavier Hensel, sprinters Zeke Klenzman and Elijah Johnson and distance ace Chase Osborne. Miller is a multi-time state participant and a podium finisher in the pole vault, and Lyon went to state in both throws last year, placing in the shot put.
Who will be driving Pleasant's scoring?
The Spartans have 32 athletes on the roster with 16 letter winners, so they have some depth for coach Rich Nelson. After Swartz in the 1600, Pleasant will lean heavily on fellow senior Hudson Warner who is a regional qualifier in the long jump and 110-meter hurdles. Caleb Cameron and Will Lichtenberger, as juniors, are coming off outstanding cross country campaigns where they made it to state as a team.
What is Marion Harding's strength?
Longtime coach Jerome Bohanna always finds sprinters, especially for the relays, and the Presidents will likely figure it out this year with Kamin Faggs and Ridge Barkley leading that group. But look for the Prexies to be formidable in the distance races with seniors Carter Ferguson and Kade Sutherland racking up the points in the long events. Ferguson is the reigning Mid Ohio Athletic Conference cross country champ, and Sutherland is right with him in terms to talent and capabilities. Harding also has a strong freshman class to supplement the overall lineup.
What are the expectations at Mount Gilead?
The Indians lost some talented seniors to graduation led by state qualifiers Matthew Bland, Aaron Gannon, Owen High and state alternate Cole Hershner. However, Mount Gilead did not lose the program for coach Lauren Huelsman. The distance crew won a state championship in cross country two years ago and was state runners-up in the fall, so they are loaded in those events with All-Ohioans Baker, Bartlett and Hershner headlining. In the sprints, Quade Harris, Logan High, Jonathan Miller and Collin Gabriel could be poised for state runs, too. MG has been sending multiple athletes to state for years, and this year shouldn't be any different as they go for more conference, district and regional hardware along the way.
Can Northmor continue what it accomplished last year?
The Golden Knights lost half of their state third-place finishing 4x400 team to graduation, but Landin and Becker are back to try it again with some new teammates. Coach Kevin Ruhl is optimistic about his distance runners keyed by Ryan Lehman and David Blunk as well as pole vaulters Cade Miracle and Levi Hunter and the versatile Owen Yunker. Northmor finished second behind Mount Gilead in the Knox Morrow Athletic Conference and Division III district meets, and they'll be rivals again in 2024.
What can North Union do with its roster?
A lot. With 45 athletes at his disposal, coach Cole Krawczyk can't wait to unleash the Wildcats this spring. They came within 12 points of winning the Central Buckeye Conference's Mad River Division, and he said they've been fired up about 2024 since then. Drue Duncan went to state in the shot put, while Lincoln Harrah, Trey Bossaler, Cayden Smith and Tyler Fout made it to regionals, and all of them are gone. Look for guys like Carter Skaggs in the sprints, Owen Hoffer in the throws, Henry Hayward in the pole vault and Tyler Huff in the distances to score points for North Union.
What is going on with Elgin?
Graduation hit the Comets hard as the state-qualifying and school-record holding 4x800 relay of Isaac Dillon, Sage Brewer, Ethan Marshall and Kolby Wasserbeck graduated. Only one senior remains in sprinter and long jumper Ronnie Newman. Coach Jeff Ferrell will lean heavily on his juniors and a larger sophomore class as they figure out their identity and lineup.
What's the outlook at Ridgedale?
Coach Asch Tilley is optimistic that the program can progress. They will miss hurdler Gage Gleespen, but they bring back district finalists in sophomore distance runner Brogan Weston and senior long jumper Landon Murphy. It's a small group with just nine athletes on the roster, and with only two seniors, they are a young group as well. The Rockets will focus on what they are good at, which will be some relays, middle distances, distances and the jumps.
What can Cardington expect this year?
The Pirates didn't get anyone out of the district last year, but that could change in 2024. Aidan Reitmire is coming off a good cross country season and will be primed for his specialty, which is the 800 meters. Jason Bockbrader and A.J. Brehm are also strong in the middle distances with Brehm also being a high and long jumper to watch. Coach Clayton Osborne is intrigued by new faces like Kalin Briggs, Isaiah Nippert and Samuel Jones. Look for better things from Cardington this season.
How's Highland going to be in 2024?
After graduating a strong senior class, first-year coach Luke Beal will turn to regional qualifiers and returnees like Kieran Taylor in the pole vault (who is injured right now), Toby Rogers in the hurdles and Matthew Miller and Zane Sheets in the longer races. The Scots will rebuild with younger athletes who will get the opportunity to make contributions.
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Vote: Marion Star 2024 Preseason Boys Track Athlete of the Year
With track season starting, here is a poll for fans to pick their Marion Star 2024 Preseason Boys Track Athlete of the Year. Here are the nominees:
● Aiden Reitmire, Cardington.
● Ronnie Newman, Elgin.
● Toby Rogers, Highland.
● Carter Ferguson, Marion Harding.
● Will Baker, Mount Gilead.
● Cowin Becker, Northmor.
● Tyler Huff, North Union.
● Hudson Warner, Pleasant.
● Brogan Weston, Ridgedale.
● Cooper Miller, River Valley.
● Ethan Lyon, River Valley.
Voting will continues at MarionStar.com and its app through early morning on April 1.
This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Boys Track 2024: A look at the Marion area's 10 teams this season
