Girls Track Preview 2024: Strong group of distance runners leads the Wayne/Holmes pack
Both Loudonville's Tess Shultz and Smithville's Kaitlyn Carr capped off their first state appearances with All-Ohio medals.
A year older, the distance-running tandem is back to add another honor to their already impressive resumes, headlining a large group of local girls track and field athletes eager to do the same this season.
Shultz, who was fourth in the 1,600-meter run, and Carr — a sixth-place finisher in the 3,200 — are each coming off of all-state seasons on the cross-country course and are poised to do the same again on the outdoor track.
The talented pairing is far from alone, however, a host of other local athletes picked up valuable postseason experience a year ago and are looking to build upon that in 2024.
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A host of sprinters that made it to the OHSAA State Championships last season from Dalton, Norwayne and Triway return to their respective teams, as well as four pole vaulters in Dalton's Mackenna Thiel, Norwayne's Kendra Berger, Orrville's Catrina Race and Waynedale's Anna Pittman.
Highlighting that list of speedsters is Maddy Lengacher of Smithville, who capped off her third straight state trip with a third-place finish in the 400.
Loudonville's Corri Vermilya was a two-event state qualifier last season in the 100 and 300 hurdles, along with fellow hurdler in Waynedale's Skye Morris in the 300s.
Here's a glance at each of the area teams:
Chippewa
Coach: Jennifer Wolfe (4th season)
Last season: 6th in WCAL, 4th Orrville D-II District, 18th Youngstown D-II Regional
Returning athletes: Isabelle Lattea (sr., sprints/mid-distance/pole vault), Grace Castello (sr., hurdles/jumps), Emily Baxter (sr., sprints/throws), Abby Browning (sr., distance), Isabella Adams (jr., throws), Kaycee Gabor (jr., sprints/mid-distance/pole vault), Cally West (so., distance), Emma Samsa (so., distance)
Newcomers: Ava Friedt (so., sprints), Peyton Coffee (fr., sprints), Kayla Moroschan (fr., mid-distance), Kylie Oyler (fr., sprints), Ava Purviance (fr., sprints), Paityn Welty (fr., sprints)
Outlook: Both Good and Lattea ran on the Chipps' regional-qualifying 4x4 and return in a handful of other events. Good also was third in the long jump and fourth in the open 400 in the WCAL last season, while Lattea was among league leaders in the pole vault. Combine that with West and Samsa each recording top-10 1,600 times at the county meet and Chippewa has a lot of talent to build off of.
Dalton
Coach: Jodi Augspurger
Last season: 3rd in WCAL, 2nd Norwayne D-III District, 3rd Norwayne D-III Regional, T-7th D-III state
Returning athletes: Analeia Hershberger (sr., distance/hurdles), Emberlynn Nolt (sr., distance), Victoria Oswald (sr., sprints/mid-distance), Macy Seeman (sr., sprints/hurdles), Mackenna Thiel (sr., pole vault), Courtney Weaver (sr., sprints), Kendel Nussbaum (jr., distance), Jacey Clark (so., throws), Grace Dorffer (so., sprints), Leah Lehman (so., mid-distance/hurdles), Myah Lehman (so., distance), Emerson Mizer (so., sprints), Samantha Thiel (so., distance), Jara Zoldak (so., sprints/jumps)
Newcomers: Amara Horner (sr., sprints), Paige Smith (sr., sprints), Evelyn Arnold (fr., pole vault/jumps), Hannah Austin (fr., distance), Kaley Conrad (fr., throws), Cora Hull (fr., distance), Elandria Kindy (fr., pole vault/sprints), Maraiah Michaels (fr., throws), Raella Nettle (fr., throws), Jaedyn Yoder (fr., distance)
Outlook: Weaver and Seeman played a significant role in the Bulldogs' 4x1 relay capturing the D-III state title last season and will push to make another lengthy postseason run with two new legs this spring as the team looks to replace All-Ohio standouts in Brianna Chenevey and Lauren Clos. Thiel also made a trip to state last season in the pole vault and will look to end her season with a podium finish, along with being one of sprinters that is expected to fill the void. In the distance events, talented harriers in Nolt and Oswald are back for Dalton.
Hiland
Coach: Olivia Blosser (1st season)
Last season: 13th in IVC, 16th Newcomerstown D-III District
Returning athletes: Emily Sheely (sr., throws), Rayauna Lies (sr., sprints/mid-distance), Myla Troyer (so., jumps/sprints), Hannah Miller (so., sprints), Victoria Miller (so., distance)
Newcomers: Hannah Miller (so.), Lily Klink (so.), Elizabeth Franks (fr.), Adleigh White (fr.)
Outlook: Troyer will look to build upon an impressive rookie season and help lead a Hawks team that has a host of athletes back. The underclassman was a regional qualifier in the high jump last spring and will look to lead things in the jumps and 400. Fellow sprinters in Hannah Miller and Lies also return, with Sheely in the throws and Miller ranging from the 800 to the 3,200 runs.
Hillsdale
Coach: Mike Mack (12th season)
Last season: 8th in WCAL, 17th Norwayne D-III District
Returning athletes: Camie Ables (sr., hurdles/sprints), Delany Painter (jr., throws), Taylor Rafeld (jr., hurdles/jumps), Carmen Gentry (so., sprints/jumps), Jacey Slagle (so., sprints/jumps), Riley Wagner (so., throws/sprints)
Newcomers: Taylor Schmitz (jr., throws/sprints), Lilly Olszewski (so., hurdles/sprints), Adalyn Tipton (fr., pole vault/hurdles), Kailynn Eisom (fr., sprints)
Outlook: The Falcons will look to handful of veterans to lead the way this season. Painter was a top-10 finisher at the league meet last spring in the shot put, while other returnees in Ables and Rafeld are expected to be leaders in a handful of events.
Loudonville
Coach: Vanessa Byers (1st season)
Last season: 1st in MBC, 3rd Norwayne D-III District, 7th Norwayne D-III Regional, T-42nd D-III state
Returning athletes: Chloe Ganson (sr., throws), Mikala Humphrey (sr., pole vault/sprints), Corri Vermilya (sr., hurdles/sprints), Tess Shultz (jr., distance), Maddie Osborne (jr., throws), Hannah Endslow (so., throws), Natalie Endslow (long jump/sprints), Nora Lance (so., distance), Aubrey Strouse (so., high jump/sprints), Kylar Staten (so., mid-distance)
Newcomers: Maggie England (so., distance), Karma Looman (fr., throws), Nicole Rooks (fr., throws), Sophie Shultz (fr., high jump/mid-distance), Mya Vermilya (fr., hurdles/sprints)
Outlook: With postseason experience from the likes of Tess Shultz and Corri Vermilya on the roster, the Redbirds are poised to finish out their final season in the MBC with another title. Shultz was an All-Ohioan in the 1,600 last spring, placing fourth overall, while Vermilya was a state qualifier in both hurdle events. Look for Strouse and Sophie Shultz to be among the top high jumpers in the area.
Northwestern
Coach: Jana Carozza (1st season)
Last season: 7th in WCAL, 15th Norwayne D-III District, 33rd Norwayne D-III Regional
Returning athletes: Gabby Ream (sr., throws), Jule Stoller (jr., high jump), Emily Thompson (jr., throws), Ella Hartsel (jr., hurdles/high jump), McKensie McCoy (jr., distance), Harmony Blake (jr., distance), Danny McClure (jr., throws), Kate Johnson (so., sprints), Audriana Yeagley (so., mid-distance/long jump), Addyson Connelly (so., mid-distance/pole vault), Savannah McConahay (so., distance/pole vault)
Newcomer: Brooke Nolletti (fr., hurdles/high jump)
Outlook: Stoller and Thompson have been mainstays in the Huskies lineup since their freshman seasons and are back to lead a youthful team that has 12 underclassmen. Stoller was a regional qualifier last spring in the high jump, while Thompson was among area leaders in both the shot and discus. Nolletti will add some depth for Northwestern in the high jump, along with veteran Hartsel, while the rookie also is slated to compete in the hurdles.
Norwayne
Coach: Bri Morlock (2nd season)
Last season: 1st in WCAL, 1st Norwayne D-III District, 1st Norwayne D-III Regional, 2nd D-III state
Returning athletes: Sydney Emler (sr., sprints), Peyton Roper (sr., throws), Taylor Olszewski (sr., distance), Raelana Moore (sr., distance), Kendra Berger (jr., sprints/pole vault), Alana Gubics (jr., distance), Kaitlyn Graves (jr., throws), Elizabeth Laney (jr., throws), Scarlett Butler (jr., distance), Corrine McCall (jr., distance), Kaylee Graham (so., hurdles/sprints), Reece Urban (so., long jump/sprints), Cherish Bell (so., sprints), Lilly Henico (so., mid-distance), Alana Bauman (so., sprints), Madicyn Rupp (so., sprints/hurdles), Lillith Dribelbis (so., distance), Maddy Kate Wolf (so., mid-distance), Karis Marty (so., mid-distance), Haley Bittinger (so., throws)
Newcomers: Rachyl King (so., throws), Brooke Yoder (so., throws), Tarren Norman (fr., sprints/hurdles), Caroline Graham (fr., distance), Maya Rickett (fr., distance), Lilly Adkins (fr., distance), Kaylyn Licht (fr., distance), Lilly Frye (fr., throws)
Outlook: You name it and the Bobcats have it. From sprints to hurdles, to the field events and distance races, Norwayne is loaded with talent. A handful of multi-event state qualifiers return with Berger, Emler and Urban, while both Dreibelbis and McCall ran on a 4x8 team that was runner-up at the D-III state meet. In the field, Berger was a state qualifier in the pole vault, while Urban and Bittinger were among area leaders in the long jump and throws, respectively.
Orrville
Coach: Jaime Sammons (2nd season)
Last season: 5th in PAC, T-7th Orrville D-II District, 27th Youngstown D-II Regional
Returning athletes: Hailey Ayers (sr., throws), Catrina Race (sr., pole vault/hurdles/jumps), Natalie Dalton (sr., sprints/jumps), Chloe Albrecht (jr., pole vault/sprints/hurdles/jumps), Aleah Daugherty (jr., distance), Mya Simmavanh (jr., sprints/jumps), Kimberly Stoller (jr., distance), Aiiiya Tuggle (jr., throws), Caelea Cochran (so., mid-distance/jumps), Joscilyn Crenshaw (so., sprints), Annie McAllister (so., sprints/jumps), Aleah Ries (so., pole vault/distance), Cadence Wilson (so., sprints/hurdles)
Newcomers: Madalyn Hubbard (so.), Natalie Miller (fr.), Emma Brede (fr.), Emma Buss (fr.), Elizabeth Chong (fr.), Payton Baer (fr.), Paige Baer (fr.), Khloe Doretich (fr.), Kim Pablo (fr.), Trista Sprowls (fr.)
Outlook: Race is among a long list of talented pole vaulters that have made state appearances and should make an impact for the Red Riders in a host of events this season. Ayers also is back after qualifying for regionals in both throwing events, while three legs of Orrville's talented 4x1 team — Crenshaw, Dalton, and Race return. Albrecht also advanced in the postseason for the pole vault and should be another impact athlete.
Rittman
Coach: Matt Snyder (16th season)
Last season: 5th in WCAL, 9th Norwayne D-III District, 20th Norwayne D-III Regional, T-62nd D-III state
Returning athletes: Aquinnah Rufener (sr., distance/pole vault), Kendall Fosen (jr., sprints/jumps), Isabel Ward (sr., sprints/jumps), Melissa Wood (sr., sprints/hurdles), Skyla Maimone (jr., sprints/throws/hurdles), Isabella Piciacchia (jr., sprints/pole vault), Brooke Bowlby (so., distance/jumps), Lauren Werle (so., sprints/hurdles/jumps/pole vault), Jessica Schehl (so., distance)
Newcomers: Savannah Mansfield-Ridge (so., throws), Selah Amos (fr., distance), Cora Fink (fr., distance), McKenna Bentley (fr., sprints), Kymber Bishop (fr., sprints), Adyson Fosen (fr., distance/jumps), Annabelle Snyder (fr., distance/jumps), Ryver Ramsier (fr., distance/hurdles/pole vault), Seighesha Bates (fr., throws)
Outlook: A strong distance group has the Indians in prime position to compete in the always-tough WCAL. Bowlby is the lone member of last season's state-qualifying 4x8 team and will lead a group that includes newcomers in Amos, Ramsier, Fosen and Snyder, who won the middle school state title in the 4x8 a year ago. The quartet of Snyder, Ramsier, Fosen and Bowlby competed in the event at the state indoor championships last month. Along with talented underclassman, Ward and Fosen also are impact athletes.
Smithville
Coach: Kirstie Mahas (11th season)
Last season: 2nd in WCAL, 5th Norwayne D-III District, 8th Norwayne D-III Regional, T-18th D-III state
Returning athletes: Cadence Amstutz (sr., sprints), Cait Daniels (sr., throws), Tessa Daniels (sr., throws), Maddy Lengacher (sr., sprints), Adeline Thorn (sr., sprints/hurdles), Lucy Gallagher (jr., throws), Claire Haas (jr., sprints), Jenna Necko (jr., sprints), Emma Sayre (jr., throws), Hailey Thut (jr., distance), Kaitlyn Carr (so., distance), Leah Keib (so., sprints/hurdles)
Newcomers: Maggie Wenger (so., distance), Maryn Erdman (fr., distance), Grace Frank (fr., sprints), Nylah Kaufman (fr., throws), Faith Lengacher (fr., sprints), Audrina Mack (fr., sprints), Lindsey Neff (fr., sprints/jumps), Alaina Rutter (fr., throws), Shelby Shenk (fr., sprints), Hayden Steiner (fr., distance), Aalana Thomas (fr., throws), Ashley Walters (fr., throws)
Outlook: A pair of All-Ohioans in Lengacher and Carr back, the Smithies are looking to build upon their league runner-up season from a year ago. Lengacher, who’s looking to make her fourth state appearance in the event, was third in the 400 at the D-III state meet, while Carr capped off her rookie season with a sixth-place finish in the 3,200. Talented sprinters in Amstutz and Haas will add some depth behind Lengacher.
Triway
Coach: Bobby Anderson (2nd season)
Last season: 3rd in PAC, 6th Orrville D-II District, 13th Youngstown D-II Regional
Returning athletes: Alyse Stutz (sr., hurdles/pole vault), Rileigh Hostetler (sr., hurdles/pole vault/sprints), Alexia Coolbaugh (jr., throws), Addi Hudson (jr., sprints/jumps), Ava Gaffey (jr., sprints/jumps), Ella Wigal (jr., distance), Zoey Baker (so., sprints/jumps)
Outlook: With three of the four legs of their state-qualifying 4x1 relay back, expectations are high for the Titans this season. Baker, Gaffey and Hudson all got valuable experience a year ago that should help lead a talented group of sprinters. Wigal is back to lead the distance harriers, while Stutz and Hostetler are among the top area hurdlers. Coolbaugh also returns after placing third in the PAC for the discus.
Tuslaw
Coach: Scott McMillen (1st season)
Last season: 6th in PAC, 9th Orrville D-II District
Returning athletes: Ashley Eberhardt (sr., sprints/mid-distance), Katelyn Eberhardt (sr., jumps), Alissa Maier (sr., sprints), Bri Weygandt (sr., distance), Hannah Blandford (sr., distance), Riley Ratliff (sr., throws), Macie Baker (jr., mid-distance), Georgia Huffman (jr., sprints/mid-distance), Jada Baker (jr., throws), Paige Marthey (so., sprints/hurdles), Hailey Wood (so., sprints), Jordan Ganoe (jr., hurdles), Kayla Schueffler (jr., distance), Vanessa Sibila (so., sprints), Janna Paul (so., throws), Kerra Gearhart (so., pole vault)
Newcomers: Tess O'Donnell (fr., sprints/mid-distance), Lily Rolko (fr., sprints), Arirana Schiele (fr., sprints), Adriana Pudloski (fr., distance)
Outlook: A regional qualifier last spring, Ashley Eberhardt headlines a long list of veterans back for the Mustangs. Eberhardt advanced in the postseason for the 400 and, along with Marthey — a member of 4x2 relay that also ran at regionals — should anchor the group of sprinters. Both the 4x4 (A. Eberhardt, Marthey, Wood and Sibila) and 4x8 (Wood, Huffman, Baker, Weygandt) return all four legs.
Waynedale
Coach: Shauna Pittman (2nd season)
Last season: 4th in WCAL, 6th Norwayne D-III District, 17th Norwayne D-III Regional
Returning athletes: Clara Sundberg (sr., distance), Skye Morris (sr., hurdles/sprints), Nayeli Cruz (jr., sprints), Mylah Moore (jr., pole vault/sprints), Anna Pittman (so., pole vault/hurdles/sprints), Callie Wolfe (so., jumps/sprints), Jorjia Persinger (so., jumps/throws/sprints), Haylee McKelvey (so., sprints/jumps), Adisen Weirick (so., sprints)
Newcomer: Morgan Mast (sr., throws)
Outlook: A tandem of state qualifiers from a year ago in Morris and Pittman in the 300 hurdles and pole vault, respectively, are back for the Golden Bears. Joining Pittman in the field are other talented veterans in Wolf and Persinger, who are looking to make identical state trips. On the track, Sundberg is poised to get back to state, where she ran on a qualifying 4x8 relay as a sophomore in 2022.
West Holmes
Coach: Matt Torgler (3rd season)
Last season: 4th in OCC, 1st West Holmes D-II District, T-11th New Concord D-II Regional
Returning athletes: Zaylie Shultz (sr., throws), Arora Chaney (jr., sprints), Casey Ogi (jr., pole vault), Noelle Smith (jr., sprints/distance), Jozlynn Giauque (jr., sprints), Zora Starner (jr., distance). Lexy Starner (jr., distance), Alexis Wagers (so., distance), Katherine Kaster (so., sprints/distance), Lilli Brown (so., hurdles/jumps)
Newcomers: Courtney Powers (sr., pole vault), Breslyn Brown (fr., distance/jumps), Janae Giauque (fr., sprints), Mallory Marmet (fr., throws), Cara McMillen (fr., sprints/jumps), Emberlyn Miller (fr., distance), Cheyenne Strait (fr., sprints), Aleah Stroud (fr., sprints/hurdles), Mazie Miller (fr., sprints/hurdles)
Outlook: The Knights have a strong group of distance harriers eager to end their season at the D-II state meet. Smith, who ran on a state-qualifying 4x4 relay, joins fellow returnees in Kaster, Zora Starner and Lexy Starner. In the field, Ogi is among the top pole vaulters in the area after making a regional trip, while Shultz leads a solid group of throwers after being a two-event regional qualifier. Giauque, Troyer and Wagers also ran on sprint relays a year ago.
Wooster
Coach: Chris Mascotti-Rasor (10th season)
Last season: 3rd in OCC, 8th North Canton D-I District, 32nd Youngstown D-I Regional
Returning athletes: Kailey Kartisek (sr., sprints/jumps), Mattie Dunlap (sr., distance), Rosalind Holt-Frank (sr., distance), Grace Kostohryz (sr., throws), Ady Thorley (sr., pole vault), Margaret McBride (jr., distance), Lillian Vance (jr., distance), Miley Green (jr., sprints), Elli Gordon (so., distance), Clara Mariola (so., distance), Abi Strand-Fox (so., sprints/jumps), Avery Hamilton-Topovski (so., sprints/jumps), Jaiyana Pearson (so., sprints/jumps)
Outlook: Kostohryz and Dunlap nearly set new school standards for the Generals in the shot put and 800, respectively, a year ago, Kostohryz a little over a foot off of the shot record which dates back to 1994 and Dunlap less than 8 seconds off of Wooster's best half-mile time. McBride also is expected to lead the distance group. Strand-Fox and Hamilton-Topovski are veterans that are coming off of strong seasons in the sprints and jumps.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Girls Track: Team-by-team previews of the Wayne/Holmes area
