Utica’s men’s track and field team made their presence felt in the Division IV district meet, securing finishes that reflected both depth and determination.
The Redskin athletes battled through competitive heats and field events to leave their mark on the district stage during the May 21 competition held at Granville High School.
The relays defined Utica’s day. In the 4x400, the team of Hunter McKinney, Sam Krueger, Hayden Quinif, and Andrew Bebout stormed to first place in 3:32.32, closing with a powerful anchor leg that sealed the victory. The 4x800 squad of Krueger, Blake Lewis, Holden Quinif, and Bebout also captured first place in 8:41.40, with each leg holding steady and the final runner pulling away in the last lap. Meanwhile, the 4x200 team of McKinney, Cameron Sarnes, Hayden Quinif, and Bebout finished second in 1:33.25, setting a new school record while battling through clean exchanges and a strong sprint effort.
Individual highlights added to the medal count. In the 400 meters, McKinney delivered a breakthrough, finishing second with a personal‑best 50.40, a mark that underscored his rise in the event. The 800 meters produced another strong showing, as Bebout placed second in 2:02.53, while teammate Sam Krueger followed closely in fourth at 2:03.60a, giving Utica valuable depth in the middle‑distance races.
The distance crew also contributed. In the 3200 meters, Cody Baker placed seventh in 11:43.01a, adding another scoring effort to the team’s tally. The 1600 meters featured Holden Quinif finishing ninth in 5:11.50a, with Blake Lewis right behind in tenth at 5:12.09a, underscoring Utica’s depth across the distance events.
Field events rounded out the team’s success. In the shot put, Deagan Workman placed sixth with a throw of 46’0”, while Landen Harstine earned 15th with a personal‑best mark of 35’2”. Workman also competed in the discus, finishing seventh with a throw of 134’1”, adding valuable points to Utica’s overall tally.
By the end of the meet, Utica had stacked multiple first‑place victories — in the 4x400 and 4x800 — while runner‑up finishes in the 4x200, 400, 800, and additional scoring in the 1600, 3200, shot put, and discus highlighted the program’s depth. The Redskins left Granville proud of their district titles and runner‑up finishes, ready to carry momentum into regionals.
