Many high school athletes will soon be taking to the track to run and participate in field events for the upcoming spring season, while others will step onto the court for tennis matches.
Here is a look at various area schools for the 2022 season in track and field, and tennis (Note: Only coaches who responded to questionnaires are included in this preview):
TRACK AND FIELD
BUCKEYE TRAIL
Head Coach: Nathan Fisher (3rd season)
Returning lettermen: Donovan Geiger
Brendan Bates
Franko Rome
Kieran Krahel
Janson Alloway
Madison Paden
Kathryn Williams
Haylee Burris
Grace Shipe
Maria Adams
Ava Tank
Team Strengths: A lot of the team’s highest scorers return as upperclassmen. Strong numbers on the boys’ side.
Areas of Improvement: Hurdles & Jumps, we didn’t have much depth or consistent success in these areas last spring.
CARROLLTON
Head Coaches: Mike Aukerman (Boys); Corwin Koppelman (Girls)
Conference: Eastern Buckeye Conference
Returning Lettermen (Boys): Austin Colletti – Sr., Long jump/sprints/relays
Nathan Baker – Jr., Relays/sprints
Brock Smith – Jr., Relays/sprints
Logan Beaver – Jr., Throws
Brody Moore – Jr., Throws
Jacob Hatfiled – Jr., Sprints
Kobe Green – Jr., Distance
Andy Lane – So., Distance
Returning lettermen (Girls): Erin King – Sr., Hurdles/High jump/Sprints/Relays
Josie Burgett – Sr., Mid-Distance (State qualifier)
Alli Stackhouse – Sr., Mid-Distance
Elizabeth Potts – Sr., Sprints/Relays/Long jump
Maya Keyser – Sr., Hurdles
Bri Shockey – Jr., Sprints/Relays
Makenzie Burgett – Jr., Distance/Relays
Ellie Shafer – Jr., Shot put/Discus
Sophia Glass – So., Sprints/Relays/Hurdles
Top Newcomers (Boys): Hunter Henry – Sr., Sprints
Zach Martin – Jr., Sprints
Ethan Benner – Jr., Hurdles
Braxton Swearingen – Jr., Hurdles
Ricky Sibila – Fr., Distnce
Keegan Barkan – Fr., Jumps/long sprints
Angelo Wilson – Fr., Throws
Dalton Swenney – Fr., Sprints
Turner Eddy – Fr., Distance
Colton Casper – Fr., Throws
Top Newcomers (Girls): Alicia Lebano – Jr., Sprints
Kendall Mclintoc – So., Sprints
Season Outlook: We have a small group but are led by some great individual leaders. The boys and girls will be led by elite performers in the throws, jumps, mid-distance, and relays. Our focus will be on daily progression and development, and the potential to compete at the highest of levels at the end of the year is there. Our season will be dictated by how far our leaders are willing to take us with the potential and vision to win multiple individual and relay titles during the championship season. We look to build on the standards of excellence our program has been built on!
CONOTTON VALLEY
Head Coaches: Matt Grezlik (Boys); Alyssa Dillon (Girls)
Returning lettermen (Boys): Evan Siedel – Jr., 800/Pole Vault/1600/4×4
Evan Rice – Jr., 100/200/4×1, 4×2
Drake Mullins – Jr., 100/200/4×1, 4×2
Ethan Roach – Sr., Shot put/Discus
Returning lettermen (Girls): Ariona Cunningham – Sr., 100/200/4×1, 4×2
Alexis Booth – So., Shot put/Discus
Haylee Myers – So., Long Jump/100/200/4×1
Jordeyn Warner – Sho putt/Discus
Top Newcomers (Boys): Davind Haney – Jr., Shot put/Discus
Robert Myes – Jr., Shot put/Discus
Luke Smith – Fr., 800/1600/High Jump/Long Jump
Noah Smith – So., High Jump/Long Jump/100/200
Top Newcomers (Girls): Hayden Wilson – Fr., 400/800
Mackenzie Willoughby – So., Shot put/Discus
Trinity Citro – Fr., 800/1600
Team Strength: Everyone seems excited, should be a fun season
Areas of Improvement: Middle/Long Distance – not many who want to run in those events
DOVER
Head Coach: Tim Smith (7th season)
Conference: East Central Ohio League
Returning lettermen (Boys): Aaron Callentine – Sr., Hurdles
Joey Farthing – Sr., Sprints/High jump (Div. I State Champion)
Jordan Heaston – Sr., Hurdles
Ryan McVicker – Sr., Shot put/Discus (9th place, State)
Egidio DiFazio – Jr., Sprints
Mitchell Martin – Jr., Sprints
Eric Smith – Jr., Sprints/Long jump
Tyler Stevenson – Jr, Sprints
Trey Charlton – So., Distance
Carson Roberson – So., Distance
Nathan Robinson – So., Distance
Josh Smith – So., Sprints/Long jump
Returning lettermen (Girls): Lydia Frank – Sr., Hurdles
Reis Johnson – Sr., Pole vault
Pria Metcalf – Sr., Sprints/Long jump
Makayla Royer – Sr., Sprints
Sophia Bielski – Jr., Sprints/Long jump
Erin Brogan – Jr., Sprints
Kyra Drescher – Jr., Shot put/discus
Alyssa Feller – Jr., Hurdles
Meghan McCrate – Jr., Hurdles
Loretta Plank – Jr., Shot put/discus
Leanna Plank – Jr., Shot put/discus
Bella Zobel – Junior, Sprints/High jump
Tegan Dugger – So., Distance
Top Newcomers (Boys): Luke Jones – Fr., 800/1600
Daylen Clark – Fr., Hurdles/sprints
Isaac Blickensderfer – Fr., Hurdles/Sprints
Top Newcomers (Girls): Ava Zobel – Fr., 200/400
Morgan Karam – Fr., Shot put
Rachel Pfieffer – Fr., Discus
Sydney Stevenson – Fr., 400/800
Season Outlook (Boys): We are hoping to build upon the leadership and experience we have returning in the sprints, hurdles, and field events. In particular, we are excited to watch 2021 state champion Joseph Farthing (high jump), 2021 state finalist Ryan McVicker (shot put), and 2021 Tuscarawas County champion Jordan Heaston (110 hurdles) continue their pursuit of new personal bests.
Season Outlook (Girls): We are confident that as our small but experienced group of juniors and seniors blends with a talented group of newcomers, we will be able to continue our success in girls track and field. We are relying on a select group of returning athletes to provide much-needed leadership, namely district champion Alyssa Feller (110 hurdles), regional qualifiers Makayla Royer (400), Pria Metcalf (relays), Sophia Bielski (relays), and Reis Johnson, who is our current record holder in the pole vault.
INDIAN VALLEY
Head Coach: Dave Bell (Boys); Madison Campbell (Girls, 2nd season)
Conference: Inter-Valley Conference
Returning lettermen (Boys): David Adams – Sr., Pole vault
Kolton Thomas – So., Hurdles
Max Stead – Jr., 400
Top Newcomers (Boys): Isaac Klaserner – Jr., Distance
Gage Woods – Jr., Distance
Eric Golden – Fr., Jumps/Relays
Owen Fockler – Fr., Relays
Joe Carlisle – Fr., Distance
Returning lettermen (Girls): Bre Taylor (12th)- 4×800, 4×400, high jump. 2021 regional qualifier finalist in the 4×400
Alisha Shaw (11th)- 4×800, 4×400, 400. 2021 regional qualifier finalist in the 4×400
Rylee Raymond (11th)- 4×800, 4×400, 800m, 1600m.
Chloe Erb (11th)- 4×200, 200m, and high jump.
Emma Sprowl (11th)- shot put and discus
Sophia Cox (11th)- discus
Gia Miller (11th)- 4×800, 800m, 1600m
Brianna Cook (10th) – 100m hurdles, 300m hurdles
Lindsay Wrather (10th)- 4×100, 4×200, 100m, long jump Rylie Landis (10th)- 1600m, 3200m
Steph Lute (10th)- 4×100, 4×200, long jump
Top Newcomers (Girls): Micayela Plants (9th) – Great work ethic that will help her succeed in the middle distance competitions (400 meter and 800 meter)
Brookyn Myers (9th)- She is a fierce competitor and will help the team in middle to long distance events (400 meter, 800 meter, 1600 meter, and 3200 meter)
Laynee McDainels (9th)- She is a hard working pole vaulter. She had a very successful middle school season and we are excited to see how she grows during her freshman year!
Lora Shaw (9th)- Lora is a hard worker that will help our team in short to middle distance races (100 meter through 400 meter)
Makayla Dryden (10th)- Makayla will assist our team in sprints and hurdles during this upcoming season. She is an eager learner and we are excited to see her compete!
Ellionna Stidd (9th)- Ellionna will be a great addition to our team in both sprints and field events.
Ryah Stratton (9th)- With a cross country background, we are excited to see Ryah compete in the long-distance competitions this upcoming season.
Season Outlook: I am extremely excited for this upcoming season. We have a lot of really strong newcomers that will help build our team and assist in the path to success. We are very fortunate that many of our athletes have returned from the 2021 track team, and I am eager to see what they accomplish this year!
MALVERN
Head Coach: Jeremy Maher (8th season Girls, 2nd season Boys)
Conference: Inter-Valley Conference
Returning Lettermen (Boys): Landyn Huffman – Sr., 4×200/4×400/400
KJ Thomas – Sr., 100/200/4×100, 4×200
Shane Rodgers – Jr., 4×200, 300 H, 4×400
Seth Kandel – Jr., 800/1600/4×100
Xavier Watson – Jr., 4×100/4×200/100/200
Frank McClelland – So., Shot put/Discus
Returning Lettermen (Girls): Lanie Bower – Sr., 100/200/4×200, 4×400
Emily Nevi – Jr., Shot put/Discus
Hannah Ford – So., 3200/4×800/High jump
Alyssa Boni – So., 4×200, 4×400/400 M
Alyiah Watson – So., 4×200/200 M/4×100/Long jump
Abby Moody – So., 4×800/800/Long jump
Nic Theiss – Sophomore
Top Newcomers (Boys): Johnny Walker – Senior
Kelby Walker – Junior
Ja’son Barrino – Junior
J’Allen Barrino – Junior
Kyle Bossert – So., Shot put/Discus
Anthoe Gerber – Sophomore
Conner Chalmers – Freshman
Evan Debo – Fr.
Jordan Detchon – Freshman
Jacob Kirby – Freshman
Thomas Poole – Freshman
Eric Swain – Freshman
Top Newcomers (Girls): Leah Irvine – Freshman
Rayne Theiss – Freshman
Megan Kuba – Freshman
Kelsey Lyons – Freshman
Season Outlook: With several athletes returning from last year’s team and several key runners back from regional qualifying relay teams, we expect to be competitive in our league and district, and region. We have several new runners this year that will help compete in events we didn’t compete in last year. we have a good mix of veteran runners with Landyn Huffman and Lanie Bower both being 4-year runners for the track program and several new runners that we are excited to see where the year will go for both the boys and girls team. The athletes in both programs are excited to make waves and be competitive in all of our league meets and invitationals we will participate in this year.
NEW PHILADELPHIA
Head Coach: Jeremy Rodgers (Boys); Krista Ames (Girls)
Conference: East Central Ohio League
2021 result: ECOL Champions
Returning lettermen (Boys): Evan McInturf – Sr, Sprints/4×100, 4×400 relay
Reise Meechan – Sr., Sprints/4×100, 4×200 relay
Owen Brady – Sr., Distance
Trevor Bean – Jr., Sprints/4×100, 4×200, 4×400 relay/200m
Chance Rennicker – Sr. High Jump/Sprints
O’hren Martin – Sr., High Jump/mid-distance
Kayden Schoelles – Sr., High jump/mid-distance
Drew Hostetler – Sr., Hurdles
Thad VanArsdalen – Jr., Pole vault
Jesse Brown – So., Pole vault
Tyson Autry – Sophomore distance runner who scored consistently for the team in the 4×800
Preston Rieger – So., Distance
Top Newcomers (Boys): Elliot Brady – Distance
Zach Rothrock – Throws
Yuji Hasjizume – Distance
William Wallace – Sprints
Etnie Richardson – Sprints/Distance
Sta’shawn Deetz – Sprints
Dawson Ohl – Throws
Phillip Levengood – Throws
Dorian Wilson – Throws
Marco Lopez – Throws
Cash Escusa – Sprints
Team Strength: Strong Senior leadership will be the key to our success this season as their experience should help carry our underclassmen.
Areas of Improvement: We are looking to score more points in hurdle events this season and hope to develop more depth in the sprint events.
RIDGEWOOD
Head Coaches: John Slusser (Boys); Jamie McCrea (Girls, 2nd season)
Conference: Inter-Valley Conference
Returning Lettermen (Girls): Taura Dennis – Sr., 4×100
Hailie Davis – Sr., 200/400
Kaelynn Robinson – Jr., 4×100, 100 hurdles
Jessica Dotson – Jr., Shot put
Alivia Mourer – Jr., 4×100
Alaina Swiney – Sophomore
Top Newcomers (Girls): Alayna Shroyer – Sr., Sprints/400
Karissa Gress – Sr., Sprints
Meagan Mainwaring – So., 200/400
Team Strengths: Sprints and relays. Should have more depth in distance events this year with Swiney.
SANDY VALLEY
Head Coaches: Jason Calkins (Boys) Emily Keane (Girls)
Conference: Inter-Valley Conference
Returning Lettermen (Boys): Mason Tucci – Sr., Long jump (State qualifier)/Sprints
Jason Morris – Jr., High jump
Andrew Neary – So., Throws
Marcus Weaver – So., Throws
Top Newcomers (Boys): Thomas Dickey – Jr., Hurdles
Lorenzo Montemezzo – Jr., Mid-Distance, Long sprints
Austin Easterday – So., Throws
Deaune Earley – Fr., Throws
Lucas Gilland – Fr., Jumps/Sprints
Brendan Jones – Fr., Long Sprints
Team Strengths: We are returning a good amount of experience in the jumps and sprints having state and regional placers with Mason Tucci and Jason Morris. We have a good amount of young talent that should have a good season and contribute to the overall success of the team. Sprints are looking promising due to a good turnout of young athletes. Our experienced athletes should provide knowledge and motivation to a promising group of sprinters, jumpers, and throwers. Our distance crew is young but has potential, they gained some good experience in cross country this year. Overall our numbers are a little better than they have been the last few years.
Areas of Improvement: Although we have a couple of athletes with experience, our overall team is very young and inexperienced. We will be going through a learning curve throughout the early season. There is a lot of potential for growth once they gain more experience.
Season Outlook: With the number of athletes coming out this year, and our experienced athletes building on past seasons, I feel this will be one of our most successful seasons in a few years. We finished 8th in the IVC last year, I am hoping they can be battling for the 3rd to 4th spot. We should have some really good strength in the jumps, followed by the sprints and throws. We only have one hurdler with experience, Thomas Dickey, but as he progresses, along with some younger hurdlers, we should see success in those events as well. Distance will get us some points as the season progresses and they gain experience. I think this will be one of the most fun and exciting seasons we have had in a while.
Conference Outlook: I believe we can be battling for 3rd to 4th place in the league if our younger athletes step up this year. Our veterans will take care of business and lead the way. It will definitely be a fun season full of some personal records and many successes.
WEST HOLMES
Head Coach: Matt Torgler
Conference: Ohio Cardinals Conference
Returning lettermen (Boys): Sawyer Pritt – Sr., Sprints/Long jump
Zach Snow – Sr., Sprints/Pole vault
Zander Shultz – Jr., Sprints/High jump
Zeke Galbraith – Jr. Distance
Grant Miller – So., Throws/Sprints
Quinn Cornwell – So., Sprints/High jump
Kalan Bowling-Cappadony – So., Hurdles/Pole vault
Tristin Middaugh – So., Hurdles/Pole vault
Brayden Lemon – So., Distance
Returning Lettermen (Girls): Amy Hughes – Sr., Shot put/Discus
Laney Duff – Jr., Sprints/High jump
Daphne Alexander – Jr., Sprints/Hurdles
Madisyn Glassford – Jr., Sprints
Brenna Myers – Jr., Distance
Zoe Norris – Jr., Throws/Long jump
Olivia Sampsel – Jr., Distance
Zaylie Shultz – So., Throws/Sprints
Taelor Patterson – So., Distance
Olivia Sampsel – Jr., Distance
Top Newcomers (Boys): Reid Chaney – Fr., Sprints
Elijah Williams-Dixon – Fr., Sprints
Logan Zollars – Fr., Sprints
Kyle Maltarich – So., Relays/Field Events
Sam Williams-Dixon – Relays/Field Events
Top newcomers (Girls): Noelle Smith
Lexy Starner
Zora Starner
Team Strengths: The boys have a lot of depth at sprints and distance. Girls have a good balance of upperclassmen and freshmen.
Area of Improvement: Our team needs to continue to place athletes in field events that can help us earn points in duals and invites. We have a lot of freshmen who only run, placing some into field events will allow for more participation during the season.
TENNIS
NEW PHILADELPHIA (BOYS)
Head Coach: Nikki Clarkson (1st season)
Conference: East Central Ohio League
Returning lettermen: Mason Clarkson, Sophomore
Vincent Henning, Sophomore
Reese Malcolm, Sophomore
Top Newcomers: Trenton Huff, Senior
Hudson Osborn – Sophomore
Kopp Baldich – Freshman
Owen Ohl – Freshman
Simeon Stull – Freshman