Miami County Boys Track Preview

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Travis Nees returns as Piqua boys track and field coach.

The Indians will be led by senior Jasiah Medley, a state qualifier a year ago in the 100-meter dash.

Also returning in the sprints are Ryan Brown, Sam Schmiesing, Bryson Roberts, Garrett Brown, Elijah Frazier, Gio Barron, Tate Adams and Roman Medley.

In the distance events, Noah Campbell, Jesse Furman, Paul Hinds and Simon Baker are back.

Adams will be a high jumper, while Baker and Lucas Huelskamp will compete in the pole vault.

The throwers will be strong with Caleb Lyons, Mason Osborne and Landon Hare.

The hard work Piqua put in during the off-season has Nees excited.

“We are looking forward to getting back on the track and competing after a great off-season,” he said.

TIPPECANOE

Nick Culver returns as coach.

Senior Grayson King (high jump) and junior Oliver Murray (pole vault) were both regional qualifiers a year ago.

The teams goals include winning the Miami County and MVL titles, get some athletes to the state meet and be competitive as a team at every event.

“Overall, we want all our athletes to do their best and meet their expectations,” Culver said. “Most of our athletes are returning this year and we have a strong underclassmen group.”

TRC

BETHEL

Mark Clute returns as coach.

Junior JD Dillman is coming off a strong indoor season, where he finished fourth at the state meet in the triple jump and also competed in the long jump.

Senior Jaiden Hogge was a district placer in the 400 last year.

Bethel moves from the Cross County Conference to the Three Rivers Conference.

“We are in a new conference this season so our goal is to compete and be in the top half of the conference,” Clute said. “One of our goals is to get JD (Dillman) and Jaiden (Hogge) to the regional this season and hopefully beyond.”

COVINGTON

Josh Long is the Covington boys coach

“A larger roster, with key returning lettermen and young talent has the coaching staff excited about this year’s track and field team,” Long said.

He likes his field event athletes.

“We have a strong group of throwers back from last year’s team that will be looking to make an even bigger impact this year,” Long said. “The junior tandem of Ryan Rohr and Ryan Remley will look to lead us in shot put and discus. Joining the Ryans will be senior Adam Brewer, junior Ayden Reynolds, sophomores Garrett Hobbs, Hayden Barker, Grayson Wills, Talon Johnson, freshmen Gunner Francis, and Zeb Woodward-Roeth.

Senior Landon LaPoint, juniors Hunter Ray, Jaeden Cole and freshmen Preston King will be competing in the long and high jump events for the team.”

After winning a league title and qualifying several individuals for regionals in cross country, the distance crew will be looking to build on their fall success.

Leading the way will be returning runners: senior Devin Brummitt, junior Mic Barhorst, and sophomore Asher Long. Joining these returning runners are a talented group of freshmen: Chris Deaton, Calub Hembree, Noah Chaney, Wyatt Parker, Beck Wilson, Matt Dieperink, and Preston King.

“Seniors Landon LaPoint, Owen Rawson, junior Hunter Ray, and sophomore Derrick Meyer are all returning from last year’s team to lead us in the sprinting events,” Long said. “Junior Jaeden Cole, freshmen Rowen Isaacs, Christian Jarvis, and Jack Blumenstock will also be looking to make a significant contribution to this year’s team.”

Long is excited about moving to the Three Rivers Conference.

“We are looking forward to having fun competing and getting better each week,” he said. “Our new league will be really competitive and we hope to be competing to the best of our abilities when that time of the season comes.”

MIAMI EAST

Steve Karnehm returns as coach.

“We will have three legs of our state qualifying 4×4 relay back,” Karnehm said. “Also AJ Ary who went to state in pole vault.”

Karnehm likes his sprinters.

“Kaden Weldy is a sophomore who has run 51.1 in the 400 and 23.0 in 200,” he said. “Jayden Hatcher, and Clark Bennett will also help us there. All were members of 4×4 team listed above.”

The Vikings are also strong in the field events.

“AJ Ary and Josh Amheiser have both vaulted 13 feet,” Karnehm said. “Both are juniors. Anthony Putnam and Charlie Zawalich will do most of the throws but are supported by Levi Glassmeyer and Chris Smith.

“Several freshmen, as well as junior Mitchel Kemp will be our high jumpers and long jumpers. The distance duties will rest with a very talented group. Elijah Willmeth, Dylan Barnes, Caleb Richter, Cameron and Braden Monnin, and Andrew Crane all have very good ability. We were Cross county conference champions last year and were third in our district. We graduated only four from that squad.”

The Vikings move to the Three Rivers Conference this year.

MILTON-UNION

Michael Meredith returns as coach.

Junior Blake Brumbaugh will lead the Bulldogs after finishing fifth at the state meet in the long jump last year and qualifying for state 100.

Other top sprinters will be senior Adrew Collins and junior Michael Elam, while Ray Copeland returns in the hurdles.

John Ritchey and Ty Furlong will lead the distance runners, while Milton will be strong in the field events with Brumbaugh, pole vaulter Carter Tinnerman and Copeland in the high jump.

Tinnerman has cleared 15-0, Brumbaugh has jumped 22-feet and Copeland has cleared 6-2.

“We could have three state qualifiers in the field events,” Meredith said.

TROY CHRISTIAN

John Taylor takes over as coach.

Sophomore Braden Sawyer will be a sprinter and high jumper.

Other sprinters include seniors Zach Weaver, Jonathan Haddad, Chase Dohme and Alex Olding; junior James Swartz and sophomore Vaughn King.

WOAC

BRADFORD

Mindy Burgett takes over as Bradford coach.

“Bradford has been in a cycle of rebuilding for the last several years and we hope to break out of that in the coming years,” Burgett said. “Our numbers are the highest they have been in a few years.The team consists of mostly underclassmen.”

Junior Brick Burgett returns after advancing to regionals in the 800 and the 300 hurdles a year ago. He will also compete in the high jump and long jump.

Senior Hunter Biddlestone will be in the middle distance and distance events and key sophomores will be Owen Beachler (hurdles, high jump), Eric Keener (throws), Peyton Melgarn (sprints. long jump), Xavier Robinson (throws, middle distance) and Zane Jones (long jump, sprints, throws).

“We have gone back to the basics,” Burgett said. “We are focusing on increasing our fundamental movement patterns that will improve performance and begin to build our program from a few individuals into an effective team able to be competitive in all track and field events.”

NEWTON

Nick Rhoades returns as coach.

Senior state qualifier Lane Kesling returns in the 400-meter dash.

Freshman Seth Coker and senior Robert Ingle had strong seasons in cross country.

“The boys team continues to have strong numbers,” Rhoades said. “But, we have an interesting mix of seniors and freshman. The graduation of Dawson Hildebrand (state champion) in the throws and a strong sprint group finds us relying on the middle distance and distance groups this year.

“Lane Kesling will be a focal point for the team and we will build from there. This group will be fun to watch grow throughout the season.”

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