HEATH – Mount Vernon senior Erich Rhodeback is a rare combination of power, speed and endurance.
Rhodeback placed first in four events, leading the Yellow Jackets’ boys track team to a first-place tie with Bishop Watterson (both at 141.5 points) out of 10 teams in the Hank Smith Invitational at Heath High School on Saturday, April 18.
Rhodeback won the long jump (20 feet, 9.5 inches), with teammate Dylan Dowell (19-2.25) taking third place. He was also first in the 110-meter hurdles with a time of 14.58 seconds. Then, he was the only runner to break 40 seconds in the 300m hurdles (39.07). Finally, Rhodeback, Dowell, Damion Blubaugh and Matthew Salvucci teamed up to finish first in the 4x400m relay (3:34.78).
Not bad for a guy who started out in track to help him get in shape for soccer.
“My grandfather (Mike Scott) ran hurdles and went to state for that,” Rhodeback said. “So he taught me to do that. Since I was a pretty good distance runner, I picked up the 300 hurdles.”
Rhodeback’s broad talents have him sitting first in the state in the 300 hurdles and tied for third in the 110 hurdles.
“He has amazing technical abilities in hurdles that set him apart from everyone else,” Mount Vernon coach Kathy Thayer said. “He also has the speed and endurance to do both (110 and 300). Hopefully, he can go to state for both.”
One also has to be reminded that Rhodeback is new to the long jump this year.
“That was my third time jumping in competition ever,” he said. “I needed a fourth event, so I just decided to try (the long jump) for my senior year.”
The Jackets’ Bryce Wiles placed first in the 100-meter dash (11.47). He finished second in the 200-meter (23.25), with Dowell taking fourth (23.53). Wiles was also on the 4x200 team that placed second (1:36.72), along with Mitchell Taylor, Logan Taylor and Ethan Young.
Mount Vernon’s Logan Moore cleared 11 feet and finished second in the pole vault, with Jack Craigo grabbing fourth (10-0). Blubaugh was third in the 400 (53.58), and Salvucci was third in the 800 (2:03.44). Craigo, Young, Mitchell Taylor and Logan Taylor took third in the 4x100 relay (47.19). Freshman Logan Eggert placed fourth in the 1600 (4:37.87).
“Overall, we have a lot of depth,” Thayer said. “Not just one person is elite. Both of our 110 hurdlers placed. Both of our 100 runners placed. Both of our 200 and 400 runners placed. Even in our field events, both of our long jumpers and pole vaulters placed. Having that depth allows our athletes to support each other as a team.”
Mount Vernon’s girls got a first-place finish in the high jump (4-11) and third in the 300-meter hurdles (48.73) from McKenna Brokaw. The Jackets (63.5 points) finished sixth out of 10 teams, behind winner Watterson (192).
Nevaeh Williams was second for the Jackets in the shot put (33-10.5), while Stella Bainbridge was third in the discus (110-10) and Amaris Middleton was fourth in the 200 (27.81).
