The Mount Gilead track teams are coming off successful seasons where the boys’ team won KMAC and the Central District, and the girls’ team was KMAC runner up. They bring back a large talented team this spring, and Coach Lauren Huelsman is excited to see what the team can do in 2024.
The boys’ team is led by sophomore Owen Hershner (distance); junior Will Baker (distance and also a 2024 indoor state qualifier) and senior Parker Bartlett (distance and also a 2022 state qualifier and 2024 indoor state qualifier). Coach Lauren Huelsman said that Baker has his eyes on a state title in the 1,600 or 3,200 meters, and Bartlett will also be working at a podium spot in the 3,200 meters.
Jonathan Miller returns as a sprinter in his junior season after being a 2023 regional qualifier and 2024 indoor state qualifier. Seniors Quade Harris and Logan High qualified for state this past indoor season, and was a 2022 outdoor state qualifier for sprints. Fellow senior Collin Gabriel qualified for the indoor state meet last season and should be one to watch with sprints. Wyatt Mowry, also a senior, was a 2023 state meet alternate and is on distance and hurdles.
“The boys sprint group has state meet experience from four athletes (Logan High, Quade Harris, Collin Gabriel, and Jon Miller),” said Coach Lauren Huelsman. “The distance squad is coming off a 2023 state cross country team runner-up finish, and the throws squad, led by Carson Mowery, Joey Baldwin, Gauge Shipman, and Griffin McClelland and Chris Carpenter, is a very deep group with a ton of potential this year.”
The girls’ team is led by sophomore Danielle Pohlkotte, who was a 2023 regional finalist sprinter. Junior Kimberly Staley was a 2024 state indoor meet qualifier and runs distance; junior Faith White was a 2022 state outdoor meet qualifier in sprints; and senior Darbie Dillon was a 2022 regional qualifier and runs the hurdles.
“Our girls return a core group of athletes with experience,” said Huelsman. “Of the 27 girls on the roster, 12 saw post-season experience last season. Although our girls roster lacks depth, we have plenty of athletes that are ready to be 3-4 event athletes and score a ton of points for their team. Returners Kimberly Staley, Danielle Pohlkotte, Faith White, Darbie Dillon, Natalie Waugh, and Abby Leonhard are strong both mentally and physically and can handle a tough load come post-season time. These ladies paired with our newcomers, like, Kenlee Trainer, Sophie Mosher, and others will work together nicely this season.”
Huelsman said that school records are realistic for Leonhard in the discus, as well as Baker and Bartlett in the distance events. She also said Harris, High, Gabriel and Miller should run well in the sprint relays, and school records could be in their sights as well.
Huelsman has coached for 10 years at Mount Gilead, with nine being head coach. She has coached six regional champions, 10 district champions, 14 conference team champions and 31 All-Ohio athletes over her career.
The coaching staff works to develop their student athletes, with a focus on both underclassmen and upperclassmen. They team their older athletes to mentor the young ones.
Huelsman said the team’s number one rule on meet day is “there are no problems on meet day.”
“We work to excel on the big stage and do not let outside factors creep into our mindset,” Huelsman said.
She said that putting student athletes in the right spot for a chance to compete at Jesse Owens Stadium is the goal, but she really wants to see team titles at districts and regionals, as well. The boys’ team is looking to defend their district title for the third season in a row, and the 12th time in the program’s history.
“Creating the right event line-up to win a 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. Ideally, we would love to see a mixture of underclassmen step up and upperclassmen show consistency towards winning that title. It’s always fun to see a ton of athletes on our roster share in that championship meet experience.”
2024 Meet Schedule
March 30 9:30am @ Bucyrus Invitational
April 2 4:30pm @ Northmor Meet
April 6 10:00am @ Lexington Invitational
April 9 4:30pm @ Highland Meet
April 13 10:00am @ Heath Invitational
April 16 4:30pm @ Fredericktown Meet
April 19 4:30pm @ Marysville Relays
April 23 4:30pm Mount Gilead HS/MS Mixed Gender Relays
April 26 3:30pm @ Mapleton Night Invitational
April 30 4:30pm @ Clearfork Meet (w/ Galion, Pleasant)
May 4 10:00am Mount Gilead Invitational
May 7 4:30pm @ KMAC - Fredericktown
May 14 3:15pm @ DIII Central District Meet - Granville
May 15 3:15pm @ DIII Central District Meet - Granville
May 18 9:00am @ DIII Central District Meet - Granville
May 22. 4:30pm @ DIII Regional Meet - Heath
May 24 4:30pm @ DIII Regional Meet - Heath
May 30 9:30am @ DIII State Meet in Dayton
May 31 9:30am @ DIII State Meet in Dayton
June 1 9:30am @ DIII State Meet in Dayton
