Track and field previews: A look at 2022′s thinclads across The Times area

Ottawa

Coaches: BOYS – Trent Swords (26th year); GIRLS – Emma Schoonover (1st year)

Top returners: BOYS – Ethen Swords, throws, sr.; Joe Ovanic, throws, sr.; Deklan Ragan, hurdles, sr.; DJ White, sprints, jumps, jr.; Liam Tipple, distance, jr.; GIRLS – Hannah Galletti, jumps, jr.; Michaela Froisland, throws, jr.; Krisee Clark, throws, so.

Key newcomers: GIRLS – Patricia Klein, sprints, sr.; Kendra Martin, distance, jr.; Ella Damron, sprints, fr.

Worth noting: Coach Swords returns with his son Ethan as well as Ovanic, Ragan, White, and Tipple leading the way. “We are really excited for the season to begin so we can see the improvements that were made from last year and who the new up-and-comers to the track and field program will be,” Coach Swords said. “The athletes have been putting in a lot of hard work and are anxious to start competing so they can achieve their goals.” … In terms of the Pirate girls, Schoonover, formerly Roberts, takes over the helm. Schoonover is a 2016 graduate of Sandwich High School and was a Class 2A state distance qualifier in her senior year. She moved on from there to set school records in the 5,000-, 1,000- and 1,500-meter runs at Benedictine University in Lisle during her sophomore campaign (2018) for the Eagles. Schoonover is encouraged by throwers Froisland and Clark, with Froisland tossing the disc and Clark throwing shot. Galletti is a high jumper and cleared 4-11 as a sophomore, and Schoonover believes she’ll better that as a junior. Klein and Damron figure to build on the Pirates sprint hopes. “I’m very excited to see the amount of participation we have this year with 53 girls competing,” Schoonover said. “We’re certainly happy with that seeing how big a school Ottawa is. I think we’ve got a real solid group of hard workers. They’ve got a lot to learn, but I’m thrilled at the chance to see how far we as a coaching staff can take them, not only this year but into the future.”

– Bill Lidinsky

Sandwich

Coaches: BOYS – Bolaji Adeoti (4th season); GIRLS – Chad Hicks (1st season)

Top returners: BOYS – Johnny Rizzuto, sr., mid-distance/short relays; Wyatt Miller, jr., 400/800/1,600; Jaedon Thompson, jr., sprints/jumps; Dan Reedy, jr., shot put/discus; Dylan Young, jr., hurdles/high jump; Owen Sheley, jr., sprints/jumps; GIRLS – Claire Allen, jr., throws; Erin Lissman, fr., distance/relays; Joanna Rivera, distance/relays; Molly Roberts, sr., mid-distance/relays

Key newcomers: BOYS – Max Cryer, so., distance; Josefh Hernandez, fr., distance; Simeion Harris, fr., sprints/jumps; Kayden Page, fr., sprints/jumps; Adan Frieders, fr., sprints/jumps; Daniel Sutcliff, fr., sprints/jumps; Dayton Beatty, jr., mid-distance/distance; Brodie Case, so., hurdles/sprints.

Worth noting: The Indians are coming off a memorable 2021 season, but Adeoti said the future is bright. Miller, coming off a strong cross country season, helped Sandwich’s 3,200 relay team break the indoor school record. Rizzuto has shown promise in the mid-distance during indoor season, Thompson will lead Sandwich in the 100, 200 and triple jump, rising thrower Reedy will lead Sandwich in the shot put and discus, and Sheley will be a threat in the high jump and long jump. “Our goal is to continue to be patient and take each week to get better for the end of the season,” Adeoti said. “Athletes are starting to buy into the type of program we are hoping to build for the future. Our goal for the future is to get better each week and stay healthy going into the postseason.” … On the girls side, Sandwich placed fifth at the Sycamore Invite and third at Reed-Custer during indoor season. Allen was second in the Class 2A shot put and fourth in the discus at the state meet last year. She won the shot put titles at both Sycamore and Reed-Custer, throwing it 11.66 meters at Reed-Custer. Freshman Erin Lissman was second in the 1,600 at Reed-Custer and Sycamore and Joanna Rivera won the race at Sycamore. The 4x800 relay was first at Sycamore and second at Reed-Custer. The 4x400 relay was second at both Reed-Custer and Sycamore while Alana Stahl was third in the 800 at Sycamore and Rivera was third at Reed-Custer. Molly Roberts was fourth in the 400 at Reed-Custer.

– Joshua Welge

Streator

Coaches: BOYS – Ken Carlson (20th season); GIRLS – Doug Harris (8th season)

Top returners: BOYS – Kody Danko, distance, jr.; Aneefy Ford, sprints, jr.; Cade Stevens, sprints/jumps, sr.; Isaiah Dembo, sprints, jr.; Collin Jeffries, sprints, so.; Aiden Kearfott, sprints/jumps, jr.; Trevor Mitts, distance, sr.; Ryan Seaton, distance, so.; Mikey Greer, sprints/jumps, so.; GIRLS – Abby Pierce, hurdles, jr.; Kylie Rhodes, middle distance, so.; Marissa Vickers, jumps, jr.; Carley Brewick-Pointer, throws, so.; Ebony Pickens, sr.

Key newcomers: BOYS – Jeremiah Brown, sprints/jumps, jr.; Sabby Nieto, throws/sprints, jr.; Zach Schultz, throws/sprints, jr.; Chance Robart, distance, fr.; Quentin Goforth, sprints/jumps, fr.; Tyke Legeralde, sprints/jumps, so.; Miguel Lopez, sprints/jumps, fr.; Keiran Leisure, sprints/jumps, fr.; Hunter McDonald, sprints/jumps, fr.; GIRLS – Tessa Armstrong, fr.; Kayla Berg, fr.; Alex Austin, jr.; Cherish Frederick-Jordan, so.; Mia Granados, jr.; Mina James, so.; Brianna Janke, sr.; Katie Monaghan, so.; Breanne Perrotta, fr.; Sara Reed, sr.; Brooklyn Stillwell, fr.

Worth noting: Carlson notes numbers are down, “but what we have is going to be pretty good.” Ford and Stevens tore up the indoor sprint circuit this late winter, while Danko returns after qualifying for state in the 800 a year ago and cross country last fall. Finding the right guys to run the short relays with Ford and Stevens is a focus. “I think we have enough talent on the team to contend for the ICE Conference Meet title and compete at a high level at all invitationals this year,” Carlson said. “Should be an exciting year, and I look forward to watching our guys improve and see where we can be at when it comes sectional time.” … Streator’s girls will be in “somewhat of a rebuilding year,” said Harris, after topping the Illinois Central Eight Conference last spring. Still, expectations are high for the likes of Pierce, who qualified for last year’s IHSA State Meet in the 300 hurdles and will be competing in this weekend’s prestigious Illinois Top Times Indoor event. Rhodes, Vickers and Brewick-Pointer also appear to be leaders in their events. “Lots of talent scoring lots of points while improving, all-conference performances, possible individual conference champs, possible school records, and possible state qualifiers/medalists,” Harris said of his expectations for the season.

– Brian Hoxsey

Seneca

Coach: Terry Maxwell (5th year)

Top returners: BOYS – Given Siegel, hurdles, relays, sr.; Brady Danek, mid distances, relays, sr.; Chris Poyner, mid distances, relays, jr.; Carter Thomas, throws, so.; GIRLS – Faith Deering, sprints, relays, throws, sr.; Emma Smith, sprints, relays, sr.; Ashley Alsvig, mid distance, relays, jr.; Anna Bruno, jumps, relays, jr.; Caitlyn O’Boyle, sprints, jumps, relays, jr.; Teagan Johnson, jumps, vault, so.

Key newcomers: BOYS – John Farcus, jumps, sprints, fr.; GIRLS – Taylor Draves, sprints, relays, sr.; Claro Bruno, mid distances, fr.; Evelyn O’Connor, mid distances, fr.

Worth noting: The Seneca boys roster consists of 28 competitors including Siegel, Danek, Poyner and Thomas, all state qualifiers in 2021, while Farcus is a talented high jumper who will compete at this weekend’s Top Times Indoor Meet at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington. “We lost nine seniors to graduation in 2021, all of whom were state qualifiers,” Maxwell said. “This year will be a learning and growing process. I’m looking for some of our veterans to be good leaders for our young team this year.” … On the girls side, the Irish are loaded with a talented roster of 21 athletes. In 2021, the Seneca girls finished with 31 points at the Class 1A State Meet, good enough to finish in sixth place. Bruno led the way, medalling in three events as O’Boyle and Smith medalled in two, while Deering and Johnson each garnered one state medallion. All five will be returning for the Irish along with Alsvig, who was also a state qualifier in 2021. Already, Bruno has broken the SHS record in the long jump in her first indoor meet this season with a jump of 17-11 3/4 feet, while Deering broke the school record in the discus a year ago with a throw of 126-0 feet. Draves was injured last year, but was a state medallist her freshman year in two events. “The Irish girls will be very tough this year and poised to have a large amount of state qualifiers,” Maxwell said. “They’ll be aiming for their 10th consecutive sectional and conference titles with some veteran leaders and solid newcomers. We will be a tough team to compete against this season.”

– Bill Lidinsky

Fieldcrest

Co-coaches: Carol Bauer and Keith Baldwin

Top returners: BOYS – Kendale Coleman, so.; David Huntley, 400, relays, jr.; Auden Maierhofer, sprints, relays, so.; Pacey Mangan, 800, relays, sr.; Michael Scott, 800, relays, sr.; Mason Stoeger, distances, relays, sr.; GIRLS – Calli Nix, throws, sr.; Haley Doty, relays, jr.; Carolyn Megow, throws, sprints, jr.; Clare Phillips, distances, jr.; Kyra Cunningham, relays, so.; Melisa Echiveste, distances, so.; Aja Mesarchik, jumps, sprints, so.; Tatiana Serna, sprints, relays, so.

Key newcomers: BOYS – Zayden Hayes, sprints, relays, sr.; Aiden Hurd, throws, so.; Nathan Buchanan, jumps, sprints, fr.; Caleb Krischel, 800, relays, fr.; Blake Ramsey, relays, fr.; Jacob Torres, 800, relays, sr.; Landin Wright, sprints, relays, fr.; GIRLS – Natalie Schultz, relays, sr.; Aaralyn McCullough, 800, relays, jr.; Cheylee Reed, 800, relays, jr.; Kalla Burns, relays, so.; Angel Serna, sprints, relays, fr.

Worth noting: Eastern Illinois University-signee Stoeger is the unquestioned star for the boys, his 4:35.07 is a Heart of Illinois indoor meet record and eclipsed the school’s indoor 1,600 mark set by state 1,600 champion Brian Peterson in 2008, and is second to only him in the indoor 3,200. The 4x800 relay of the veteran Scott and newcomers Krischel, Mangan and Torres could be formidable. The girls will be led by Megow, who made state in the shot put and 300 hurdles last spring and won the shot (9.21 meters) at the HOIC Indoor Meet last week, edging Nix (8.77 meters). Megow, Phillips and the Sernas are a tough 4 x 4 relay, Mesarchik is a potential state qualifier in the high jump and sprints. “Both teams are really too small to really factor in team standings at a meet,” Bauer said, “but we do have the talent to get wins and points in single events. There is a lot of potential there, especially in Caleb, Aaralyn and Cheylee. We’ll see how they develop as the season progresses. Hopefully, we’ll get to see what Mason, Carolyn and Calli can do at outdoor state in May.”

– Charlie Ellerbrock

Marquette

Coach: Jeff Cook (4th year)

Top returners: BOYS – McLane Rinearson, sprints, sr.; Easton Kent, 400, 800, jr.; Daniel Hoffman, 800, 1600, so.; Casey Scherer, 100, jumps, so.; GIRLS – Maddy Howard, hurdles, sprints, sr.; Kaitlyn Magoonaugh, throws, sr.; Kelsey Quinn, sprints, relays, sr.; Norah Bullock, 400, 800, jr.; Nadia Robles, sprints, jr.; Jaylyn Clairmont, sprints, so.; Lilly Craig, distances, so.; Grace Dose, 800, 1600, so.; Maera Jimenez, throws, so.; Lindsey Kuykendahl, 100, relays, so.; Mary Jo Lechtenberg, relays, jumps, so.; Reese Puleo, 1600, so.

Key newcomers: BOYS – Nate Kuykendahl, sprints, sr.; Vinnie Battestelli, hurdles, jr.; Caden Eller, sprints, jumps, jr.; Alex Graham, sprints, relays, jr.; Ethan Price, throws, mid-distance, jr.; Jurnee Reed, sprints, relays, jr.; Griffin Walker, 800, relays, jr.; Luke Amicon, throws, so.; Will Carlson, throws, so.; Andrew Hamm, throws, so.; Henry McGrath, throws, so.; Pete McGrath, sprints, relays, so.; Stefen Swords, throws, so.; Nolan DeMink, 800, 1600, fr.; Jimmy Lawsha, 800, 1600, fr.; Leo Leskanich, 400, 800, fr. Charlie McGrath, 400, relays, fr.; GIRLS – Lily Gerkitz, sprints, 1600, jr.; Darby Morganflash, throws, hurdles, jr.; Emma Reynolds, throws, jr.; Rylee Giffin, sprints, so.; Maggie Jewett, distances, relays, fr.; Keely Nelson, 400, relays, fr.; Morgan Nelson, 400, relays, fr.

Worth noting: Boys captains Rinearson and Price and girls captains Magoonaugh and Dose lead groups strong on the track, especially behind state cross country qualifiers Craig and Jewett. A strong connection with cross country and now football, Cook has grown the program from 14 when he started in 2019 to 40 this spring for him, plus assistants Kyle Lowman and Paul DeMink. “Word of mouth has spread the word, especially in the junior boys, and now we have 29% of our student body out this year,” Cook said. “We try to push the fun aspect, but these kids work very hard and we’re very excited to see what they can do.”

– Charlie Ellerbrock

FCW

Coach: Luke Mays

Top returners: BOYS – Ethan Kane, sprints; Phoenix Cooper, throws

Key newcomers: BOYS – Connor Reed, sprints; GIRLS – Raegan Montello, middle distance

Worth noting: The Flanagan-Cornell/Woodland co-op will be looking for leadership from the likes of Cooper (a state qualifier last season in the discus and also a strong shot competitor) and Kane. Mays seems high on the prospects of Reed in the 200-meter dash and Montello in the 800 run.

– J.T. Pedelty

Newark

Coach: Jeff Schutt

Top returners: BOYS – Logan Pasakarnis, so., middle distance; Robert Rios, sr., sprints/distance; Wyatt Urton, so., distance; Gavin Collins, sprints; GIRLS – Megan Williams, sr., hurdles/jumps; Kiara Wesseh, so., high jump; KJ Friestad, sr., throws; Peyton Eike, sr., relays; Lindsey Hatteberg, sr., relays; Kellie Snyder, sr., relays

Key newcomers: BOYS – Grandon Mitchell; Connor Morgan; Reese Roberson; Ryan Stewart; GIRLS – Tess Carlson; Addison Ness; Madison Sittler; Gwyn O’Connell; Brooklyn Hatteberg; Julia DiClementi; Isabella Creps, Aubrey Benesh

Worth noting: Newark’s boys numbers are not as strong as on the girls side of the program, but there are individual athletes who can contribute to a successful season. Returning sophomore Pasakarnis will run the 800, and Rios can run anything from the 200 to the 1,600, with Urton for long distance races and Collins for the sprints. “We have several new faces to the team such as senior Grandon Mitchell, Connor Morgan, Reece Roberson and Ryan Stewart, who we are still testing to see where they will succeed,” Schutt said. … Schutt believes this will be his strongest girls team that he has had at Newark since starting the program. Past state qualifier Williams, who battled injury last year, is back and healthy. Wesseh, who took second place in the Class 1A state high jump as a freshman, is back and looking even better this year. Friestad, a returning state qualifier in the shot put, is still splitting time between softball and track, but should be back at state again. Eike, Hatteberg and Snyder are expected to team up to form state-qualifying relays.

– Brian Hoxsey

Earlville

Coach: Jillian Harp

Top returners: BOYS – Keegan Brown, sr., mid-distance/distance; Jeremy Weymouth, sr., throws; Carlos Gonzalez, so., sprints/jumps; GIRLS – Isabella Harp, sr., throws; Kenzie Hoaglund, jr., throws; Noreily Hernandez, jr., jumps/sprints

Key newcomers: BOYS – Bryar Keller, sr.; Nate Crook, sr.; Michael Clemens, fr.; C.J. Fuller, fr.; Keegan Bottom, sr.; GIRLS – Dalia Hernandez, fr., throws/sprints; Inez Martinez, so., throws/jumps/sprints

Worth noting: Gonzalez was one of the Red Raiders’ top athletes last spring. Harp said she hopes some of the newcomers can help the team put together a competitive 4x200 or 4x400 relay. Every athlete on the boys team aside from Clemens also will be playing baseball for the Red Raiders. “This is a bit tricky, but baseball coach Dillon Reel is great about allowing the boys to have the time needed to be successful in track. Many days these boys are seen running between our track practice and baseball practice trying to get in the ample amount of time to be successful in both. This is one of the great things about our small school.” … Noreily Hernandez returns after being one of the Red Raiders top female athletes last season. “One thing that I am constantly reminding my athletes is that even if you walk away from your event in last place, but you improved upon your personal record, then you are still a winner in my book,” Jillian Harp said. “Given the fact that we do not have actual track facilities that we can practice on, our athletes strive for consistent self improvement in their performance. Because of this and our creativity in creating a unique practice facility, several of our athletes have been able to be competitive.”

– Brian Hoxsey

Somonauk

Coach: Samantha Reid

Top returners: BOYS – Ethan Gabrys, sr., sprints/mid-distance/hurdles, Payton Penman, jr., sprints/mid-distance/throws; GIRLS – Haylee Jackson, sr., sprints/mid-distance/throws, Myranda Banister, jr., sprints/mid-distance/hurdles

Key newcomers: BOYS – Michael Anderson, jr., Aaron Banister, sr., Carter Moore, sr.; GIRLS – Regan Grandgeorge, sr., Lupita Cadena, jr., Elizabeth Zaleski. jr., Naroa Iturrioz, jr., Taleigh Mullen, so., Kelsey Knauf, fr., Ellie Wiegman, so., Rylie Donahue, fr.

Worth noting: Although a small group, Reid feels a mix of a number of factors will help to lead to a strong season for the boys. “Overall, we are all super excited for this season,” Reid said. “We have so many new athletes, and that has brought life and fun into our daily practices. Our returning athletes have shown dedication and leadership, and that has brought us all together, paving the way for our new athletes to get acclimated, feel comfortable as a member of the team, and look to each other for support. I truly hope our numbers grow each year, because with even more athletes as dedicated, reliable, and focused as our current ones. We could really shake things up around here.” … Reid feels a number of factors – including a mix of experience and youth, plus the addition of Leland athletes Iturrioz and Donahue – will help lead to a successful season for the girls. “I truly hope our numbers grow each year, because with even more athletes as dedicated, reliable and focused as our current ones, we could really shake things up around here.”

– Brian Hoxsey

Serena

Coach: Chris Bjork

Key newcomers: BOYS – Kadin Hanson, sr.; GIRLS – Yolanda Evans, so., Piper Brodbeck, fr.

Worth noting: The Huskers only have three athletes out for track this spring, all newcomers, but Bjork said he is hoping a few more members join the squad in the coming days. “All three current athletes are new to the program this year,” Bjork said. “Though they are a small group, these student athletes are very hard working, and I believe they have the potential to have some success this year. Ultimately, our goal is to work hard and have fun this season.”

– Brian Hoxsey