FREDERICKTOWN – The Fredericktown track and field team is a combination of high hopes and unknowns going into the 2021 season.
The loss of the 2020 spring season to the COVID-19 pandemic has left many questions for this year.
On the one hand, the Freddies will bring back some state placers from 2019 and the recent indoor season last winter. Chiefly, among the boys is state cross country champion Thomas Caputo, who will lead a strong group of distance runners along with fellow senior Titus Krabill.
"Without the (2020) season, Titus and I really used that as an advantage to ourselves," Caputo said. "We challenged ourselves to get better when it was easy to take time off. We were out there throughout the spring, last year. We were getting miles under our belts and running workouts here and there."
All of that training helped Caputo and Krabill in the cross country season.
"Thomas and I ran quite often," Krabill said, "I would also say that our friendship grew during that time as well."
The plan for Caputo will be to gradually get him into shape.
"He played basketball, so we're really starting him off easy," Fredericktown coach Bob Geiger said. "You won't see him very often in races until late April. Our goals for him are to get him to the state meet. He's in decent shape, but he's not in the shape he wants to be in yet."
Senior Steven Tumbleson pole-vaulted 13 feet at state in 2019. He will be vaulting again in 2021, along with running in sprints and relays.
"Last year's goal was to beat the school record (which he holds jointly with former Freddie Keaton Snow) but, unfortunately, that didn't happen," Tumbleson said. "So that's still this year's goal. I was 14th at state. I was a sophomore and everyone else were juniors and seniors. I don't know how I'd do this year, because I haven't seen the field."
The girls are led by sophomore Ashley Cockrell, a sophomore, who set the school record in the 60-meter hurdles. Her run of 9.90 seconds was good for seventh in the state high school indoor track and field championships. She will be strong in the 100- and 200-meter hurdles, but she has never run the 300 hurdles — at least until this season.
"My goal is to get a high 45 (seconds)," Cockrell said. "Somewhere in that range. It's definitely a challenge, but it's going to be fun."
The girls distance runners are also strong. Many of them were on the girls cross country team that went to state, like sophomore Elsa Hoam, junior Natalie Vanmeter, senior Macy Thome and sophomore Sidney Wilson.
Senior Summer Weller will do well in the shot put, but how well will depend on how much opportunity she has had to practice since 2019.
"The hardest hit (by the layoff) were the specialty athletes," Geiger said. "Celeste Swihart, as a freshman, was a regional qualifier in the pole vault. Obviously, the next step was to try to make it to state. Well, she didn't have a season (in 2020). She's really good, but she hasn't vaulted in a year. So the specialty events took a beating. Our distance runners did alright because they ran all last winter. They had a cross-country season and an indoor season."
There will be freshmen and sophomores who have yet to see their first varsity track meet, and Geiger isn't ready to say how good they are until he sees them perform.
"I think we're talented," he said. "I think we're pretty deep, but we're definitely inexperienced."
Preview Capsules
CENTERBURG
Conference: Knox Morrow Athletic Conference
Division: 3
Head Coach: Eric Indiciani, first season
Assistants: Mike Eblin, Noah Menuez, Alan Riegel and Laura Ursich.
Returning letter winners: BOYS – Ethan Barton, senior; Alex Grove, senior; Blake Johnson, senior; Jacob Leber, senior; Ian McKnight, senior; Dylan Melick, senior; Ben Riegel, senior; Travis Thomas, junior; and Gavin Wilson, senior. GIRLS – Chloe Goulter, junior; Abigail Dickhof, junior; Ella Paul, junior; Rebecca Scholl, senior; and Avery Tucker, junior.
Key losses: Emma Dickhof, Makenna Hennell, Aeryn Walters, Chandler Reisen and Tori Walschott.
Top newcomers: BOYS – Greg Beard, freshman; Nathan Dickhof, freshman; Tyler Johnson, sophomore; and Mason Turske, freshman. GIRLS – Holly Fields, freshman; and Ryleigh Schneider, freshman.
Strengths:
- Distance: We have solid depth on both our girls and boys side! For years now, Coach Eblin has done an amazing job of building the XC and T&F Distance programs to achieve consistent postseason success!
- Sprints: Former coaches (Adam) Collela and (Brandon) Dodrill have been doing a great job with sprinters and ours are ready to go! I'm blessed to be in the position to continue to build on what they've started!
- Throws: Coach Riegel has really helped our throws program take off in recent years! Ours are ready to compete and will likely surprise some people! Example: Ben Riegel recently won the OATCCC D2/3 Indoor Finale (de facto State Championship) meet in the Shot Put.
- Jumps: We have experienced Long Jumpers, all of whom are working hard at improving with Coach Menuez!
- Strength & Conditioning: Coach Ursich has been an invaluable resource for helping our student-athletes reach their full potential from a stabilization, strength and power standpoint!
Depth: I've been told that nationwide, T&F rosters are 50-60% of their typical size (presumably due to COVID uncertainty), and we are definitely in that boat. We are very young and lack HS level competition experience in Hurdles, High Jumpers and girls Throwers. We do not offer pole vault.
Outlook: Even with a smaller roster, the student-athletes that have committed to the 2021 Trojans T&F team are here to work and compete with anyone! As a staff, we have been very pleased with the attitude, work ethic and focus of our group! We have strong leadership and a hunger to be the best. Coaches cannot ask for more!
DANVILLE
Conference: Knox Morrow Athletic Conference
Division: 3
Head Coach: Hillary Hess, third season
Assistants: Matthew Blum, Branton Boeshart and Matthew Proper.
Returning letter winners: BOYS – Aiden Bell, senior. GIRLS – Alenah Boeshart, junior; Brooklynn Hess, junior; and Rachel Wilson, senior.
Key losses: BOYS – Skyler Kerr.
Top newcomers: BOYS – Miguel Banbury, senior; Logan Blessing, junior; Nathan Butts, senior; Hunter Durbin, senior; Tristen Goudy, junior; Peyton Horn, sophomore; Mason Huffman, sophomore; Jordan King, sophomore; Jackson Lloyd, sophomore; Dillon Looney, sophomore; Mason Looney, senior; Nick O’Dell, senior; Ryan Lucas, sophomore; Anthony Odu, junior; Deon Parker, senior; Spencer Payne, sophomore; Thor Pitzenberger, senior; Dakota Ricketts, freshman; Jonathan Scarbury, freshman; Will Smith, freshman; and Nathaniel Stephens, freshman. GIRLS – Kirra French, sophomore; Kylee Hess, freshman; Leahandria Hood, junior; Syria Maronqiu, senior; Ella Proper, freshman; Sydney Wilson, junior; and Jaylyn Workman, sophomore.
Strengths: We have hard-working boys and girls teams that are enthusiastic about this year's track season.
Weaknesses: Not having track last year has caused a larger gap to close, and everyone is a little behind.
Outlook: We are excited about the upcoming season! Our kids work hard and are ready to compete. We will be competitive in every event we have an athlete in.
EAST KNOX
Conference: Knox Morrow Athletic Conference
Division: 3
Head Coaches: BOYS – Jason Ewalt, 25th season; and GIRLS – Ran Jones, third season.
Assistants: Jared Darr, Jason McElroy and Hub Reed.
Returning letter winners: BOYS – Garrett Calbert, senior; Elijah Carter, junior; Chase Darr, senior; Stephen Davis, senior; Isaiah Kohl, senior; Dillon Moreland, junior; and Samuel Whitney, junior. GIRLS – Madi Annett, senior; Addison Crouch, senior; Alexandria Magers, junior; Emily Opfer, senior; and Joci Totten, senior.
Key losses: BOYS – Bryan Hockenberry, Blake Kannady and Nathan Whitney. GIRLS – Taylor Huggins.
Top newcomers: BOYS – Lucas Barnard, junior; Terry Jacobs, senior; Anthony Kaufman, junior; Brayden Lemley, junior; Seth Madden, freshman; and Nathan Streby, sophomore. GIRLS – Kaylyn Campos, junior; Madi Frost, freshman; Haleigh Landis, sophomore; Kaya Salyers, sophomore; Taylor Severt, freshman; Anna Smeby, sophomore; Macy Spencer, freshman; Paige Stover, junior; and Ella Vannatter, freshman.
Strengths: BOYS – Look to be well rounded in Distance. GIRLS – The girls have a great attitude, and the returning five are doing a great job of leading and setting the tone.
Weaknesses: BOYS – Want to improve on Sprinting. GIRLS – We lack depth with such a small roster and many newcomers.
Outlook: BOYS – Looking to build upon the 2019 track season and advance more athletes to regionals! GIRLS – Looking for a stronger league finish and to advance more relays and individuals in through districts and regionals.
FREDERICKTOWN
Conference: Knox Morrow Athletic Conference
Division: BOYS – 3; GIRLS – 2.
Head coach: BOYS – Will Hartley, 19th season; and GIRLS – Bob Geiger, 19th season.
Assistants: Jacob Neutzling, Bill Porter, Dave Rashley, Garrett Bunnell and Ken McGowan.
Returning letter winners: BOYS – Thomas Caputo, senior; Xavier Comer, junior; JJ Grennell, junior; Titus Krabill, senior; Xavier Platt, junior; Joshua Rashley, junior; and Steven Tumbleson, senior. GIRLS – Audrey Bouton, junior; Almonie Hamilton, senior; Elsa Hoam, sophomore; Aspen Maggard, sophomore; Annie Maglott, junior; Sadie Sanders, junior; Bella Spencer, junior; Celeste Swihart, junior; Macy Thorne, senior; Natalie VanMeter, junior; Summer Weller, senior; and Sydney Wilson, sophomore.
Key Losses: BOYS – Kailin Horlacher, Nick Laher, Colton Riel and Roghan Roddy.
Newcomers: BOYS – Peyton Hogg, sophomore; Owen Krabill, sophomore; Zack Luckmeier, junior; Jeremiah McKinley, senior; and Logan Small, sophomore. GIRLS – Emma Fowler, freshman; Ari Lubera, freshman; Kacie Rook, freshman; and Emma Scott, freshman
Team strengths: BOYS – Both our 4x800 and 4x400 relay teams look to be very strong this year. Our distance group has a lot of depth. Our sprint group has solid foundation to be successful this season. Our throwers and jumpers continue to improve and will contribute more to the team this year. Steven Tumbleson is an area leader in pole vault. GIRLS – This promises to be a great year for us. We have some very talented athletes that are excited to have a season after last year. Sophomore Ashley Cockrell is coming off an indoor season where she placed seventh in the Indoor Finale, and the girls 4x800 relay is excited after their 11th-place finish. Sophomore Elsa Hoam is ready for the challenge our league has as she is one of the top young distance runners in the state. We have veterans who are short on experience and newcomers who are talented and ready to compete!
Team weaknesses: BOYS – Very little experience in the hurdle events, having to replace graduated Colton Riel.
Goals: BOYS – Advance all our relays to the regional meet. Have a solid showing at the state meet. Top-three finish for the team at the league meet. GIRLS – KMAC champions, top four teams at district meet and qualify athletes to state meet.
HIGHLAND
Conference: Knox Morrow Athletic Conference
Division: 2
Head Coach: BOYS – Eric Myers, first season; and GIRLS – Chip Wendt, first season.
Assistant Coaches: Erin Conner (throws), Barry Myers (throws), Emily Roberts (sprints, nutrition), AJ West (distance, pole vault) and Denny West (distance, pole vault).
Returning letter winners: BOYS – Landyn Albanese, senior; Mason Duncan, junior; Garison Hankins, senior; Caden Holtrey, junior; Landon Remmert, senior; and Tucker Tague, senior. GIRLS – Makenna Belcher, senior; Peyton Carpenter, senior; Jade Disbennett, junior; Alexis Eusey, sophomore; Katherine Schmidt, senior; Camryn Taylor, senior; Brylinn Tuggle, junior; Mia White, senior; and Cassidy Wickham, senior.
Newcomers: BOYS – Corban Benedict, sophomore; Hunter Bolton, sophomore; Larry Dempsey, senior; Aaron Gannon, sophomore; Grath Garee, sophomore; Matt Gaylord, freshman; Austin Grandstaff, freshman; Ashton Hamilton, junior; Gavin Hankins, sophomore; Ladon Hayes, freshman; Gabriel Johnson, freshman; Myles Jordan, junior; Zakye Mallow, junior; Alex McClellan, junior; Jay Melchiori, junior; Dane Nauman, freshman; Manuel Parsley, freshman; Harken Peck, freshman; Joel Roberts, sophomore; Matthew Scarbury, sophomore; Zane Sheets, freshman; Isaiah Smith, freshman; Nick Smith, sophomore; Owen Stillwell, sophomore; Darren Styer, freshman; Gavin Van Winkle, freshman; and Coen White. GIRLS – Juliette Laracuente, sophomore.
Team Strengths: BOYS – Although we are small in numbers, I am very pleased with the work ethic of these guys. They practice hard and are improving each day. I see great leadership by our seniors and they are very coachable. GIRLS – Enthusiasm; ready to have a season! The experienced athletes will help the other three-fourths of first-timers to high school track and field. There are several ninth- and 10th-graders who were fantastic in middle school.
Team Concerns: BOYS – Early on, I am concerned about our depth with only 33 guys on the roster. However, in talking with other coaches, I believe that — as expected — participation numbers are down everywhere due to COVID concerns. I'm sure that this will take some time as we all begin to get back to some normalcy in our world. GIRLS – Three-fourths of the team is new to high school track and field. Should be exciting to see the growth and improvement.
Team Goals: BOYS – After not having a season last spring, it is difficult to gauge just where we are, exactly. These guys are eager to start competing again, and they are eager to learn. Our goal is to get better each day and continue to improve. We have about 70% of our roster that has never competed in a meet at the varsity level, so our growth and development throughout the season will be vital to our success. GIRLS – Our goal is to improve every day at school, every meal, every day at practice, every time we step in between the lines to compete.
MOUNT VERNON
Conference: Ohio Capital Conference
Division: 1
Head Coach: Kathy Thayer, 10th season
Assistants: Kerra Clinedinst, Jerry Ernst, Amy Hill, Lindsey Lamp, Karen McConnell, Craig McMurry and Melissa Siferd.
Returning letter winners: BOYS – Damion Blubaugh, senior; Dylan Dowell, junior; Logan Moore, junior; Erich Rhodeback, senior; and Jordan Treber, senior. GIRLS – Stella Bainbridge, senior; McKenna Brokaw, junior; Anna Dinnen, junior; and Alexis Strong, junior.
Top newcomers: BOYS – Logan Eggert, freshman; Andrew Fitzpatrick, junior; Gabe Harmon, senior; Matt Salvucci, sophomore; Zach Thomas, junior; Bryce Wiles, senior; and Ethan Young, freshman. GIRLS – Makena Laslo, sophomore; Marissa Rutter, freshman; Brooklyn Thayer, sophomore; and Nevaeh Williams, freshman.
Strengths: We have a lot of good leadership on the team and kids that have postseason goals set in place. They work well together and are eager to learn and develop their technique.
Weaknesses: We are very young, and not having a season last year negatively impacted the growth of some of our younger athletes. However, we are anticipating a lot of these athletes to stand out this season as they develop their skill sets.
UTICA
Conference: Licking County League
Division: 2
Head coach: Zak Holland, third season
Assistants: Brian Bemiller, Jeff Davis, Mcki Cook, Preston Johnston and Eric Luckey.
Returning letter winners: BOYS – Silas Buckenburger, junior; Jay Figgins, junior; and Chandler Hartman, senior. GIRLS – none.
Top newcomers: BOYS – Jarret Pfister, senior; and Logan Scarberry, sophomore. GIRLS – Laura Brubaker, sophomore; and Riley Waggoner, sophomore.
Strengths: N/A
Weaknesses: N/A
Outlook: N/A
