April 25, 2024
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Spring previews: Track and field at Seneca, Ottawa, Streator high schools

By Brian Hoxsey, Charlie Ellerbrock and J.T. Pedelty

Taylor Draves prepares to hand off the relay baton to then-teammate Grace Alley during sectional competition in 2019. (file)

TRACK AND FIELD

Seneca

Coach: Terry Maxwell (3rd year).

Top returners: BOYS - Kolya Cato, sr., sprints; Carson Collet, sr., sprints, hurdles, PV; Mason Daggett, sr., sprints, jumps; Spencer DeGraaf, sr., distance; Nathan Elliott, sr., throws; Billy Glasscock, sr., distance; Chase Hauch, sr., sprints; Trey Hauch, sr., sprints; Isaac Marques, sr., throws; Ryan McCauley, sr., sprints, relays, LJ; Noah Petty, sr., mid-distance; Logan Tondini, sr., throws; Wilson Widman, sr., mid-distance. GIRLS - Marie Cheshareck, sr., distance; Brooklyn Giertz, sr., sprints, hurdles, PV; Rachel Milliman, sr., throws; Amber Vroman, sr., distance; Delany Welsh, sr., distance; Faith Deering, jr., sprints, throws; Taylor Draves, jr., sprints, jumps; Carly Greve, jr., sprints, jumps; Audrey Jenkins, jr., distance; Emma Smith, jr., sprints.

Key newcomers: BOYS - Brady Danek, jr., distance; Given Seigel, jr., sprints, hurdles, PV. GIRLS - Ashley Alsvig, so., distance; Anna Bruno, so., sprints, jumps; Caitlyn O’Boyle, so., sprints, jumps, hurdles; Teegan Johnson, fr., sprints, jumps, PV.

Worth noting: Maxwell, who has has 35 boys and 30 girls to work with, feels both the boys and girls will excel in the sprints, distances and pole vault. “We have a good core of (boys) sprinters that should make up some good 4x1 and 4x2 relays,” he said. “There are a bunch of question marks here with the guys we haven’t had on the track from football and some we haven’t seen for a year. Right now, they’ve stayed active and continue to improve but with the year off, it’s gonna be a real mystery to see where the guys are at.” The girls, who in their last season in action placed 10th in 1A, will build sprint relays around Giertz, who should return to state in the pole vault, and newcomer Bruno. Vroman, Jenkins, Welsh and Chesharek make up a potential state medalist relay. “The girls program here is stellar, and I love being a part of it,” Maxwell said. “There are a ton of girls who take pride in what they do and love to compete.”

— Charlie Ellerbrock

Ottawa

Coaches: BOYS - Trent Swords. GIRLS - Jessica Kuhn.

Key returners: BOYS - TBD. GIRLS - Lainey Billings, jr., distance; Jocelyn Cartwright, jr., sprints; Lexi Jett, sr., distance; Kierston Wheeler, jr., sprints; Joey Sienna, jr., hurdles.

Key newcomers: BOYS - TBD. GIRLS - Sarah Meyer, jr., pole vault; Molly Etscheid, so., sprints; Kate Passwater, fr., sprints; Eva Heimsoth, so., distance; Jacie Clapp, fr., sprints; Michaela Edwards-Froisland, so., sprints.

Worth noting: Longtime boys coach Trent Swords has had limited practices with limited participants due to other ongoing sports and said he will know more about this year’s team when football concludes at the end of this week. On the girls side, the Pirates will be looking to replace two exceptional athletes gone to Pomp and Circumstance — 2019 Class 3A IHSA State pole vault champion Mady Smith as well as perennial state qualifier in the throws, Sam Satterfield. The cupboard is not bare, however, with the returnees listed above all leaders in their events. Meyer will continue Ottawa’s strong tradition in the pole vault. “Like every other 2020-21 sport this year, my expectation is that the girls try their best and just enjoy being able to do what they love,” said Kuhn. “I think we’ve (coaches and athletes) all learned not to take a season for granted, because it can be taken away quickly, like last year. My hope is that everyone stays healthy and has a positive experience!”

— J.T. Pedelty

Streator

Coaches: BOYS – Ken Carlson. GIRLS – Doug Harris.

Key returners: BOYS – Nick Adams, so.; Kody Danko, so.; Jacob Greer, sr.; Trevor Mitts, jr.; Kevin Parr, jr,; Kyle Pfalzgraf, jr.; Cade Stevens, jr.; Dustin Vernon, sr.; Josh Wilinski, sr. GIRLS – Carley Brewick-Pointer, jr; Cioni Kosur, jr.; Lana Krohe, sr.; Stephanie Mendoza, sr.; Madison Mertes, jr.; Abby Pierce, so.; Sara Reed, jr.; Abby Seaton, sr.; Cassie Simons, jr.; Marissa Vickers, so.; Jeniece White, jr.

Key newcomers: BOYS – Isaiah Dembo, so.; Brant Freese, jr.; Mikey Greer, fr.; Collin Jeffries, fr.; Harley Kosur, fr.; Erie Martinez, fr.; James McDonald, sr.; Cade Peterson, fr.; Ryan Seaton, fr. GIRLS – Cadalyn Adams, so.; Claire Durdan, fr.; Mina James, fr.; Cherish Frederick Jordan, fr.; Lily Kupec, fr.; Maddie Mahaffey, sr.; Katlynn Monaghan, fr.; Kiley Rhodes, fr.; Rilee Talty, fr.

Worth noting: Both squads with a good mixture of veterans and newcomers. On the boys side, Danko is expected to have a strong year in the distance events, and according to Carlson has a good chance of qualifying for the state meet in the 800 or 1600. Wilinski (sprint relays, 300 hurdles) and Stevens (sprint relays, 110 hurdles, long jump) are the most experienced Bulldogs’ returners in the sprints. Three-year veteran Vernon will be leading the throwing crew. “We have a limited roster and have a number of newcomers, but I think we have some potential to do some good things. We will see how the spring unfolds,” said Carlson. For the girls squad, distance runners Seaton and Mendoza are both three-year athletes in track and cross country and will be the leaders, while Kupec was a sectional qualifier this past fall. All have state-qualifying goals in 3200/3200-relay. Simons, White and Pierce lead an experienced sprints and hurdles crew. Shot-putter Krohe, a state qualifier in 2019, will be a strong contender to return to state this year and challenge for a medal. “The girls show great promise to win all of their dual meets while gaining valuable experience in time for sectionals,” said Harris.

— Brian Hoxsey