MVL Track: Plenty of strong performances highlight the league meet

NEWTON TOWNSHIP — The postseason is nearing, and there were many stellar performances during the Muskingum Valley League Track and Field Championships on Friday at the Maysville Athletic Complex.

The John Glenn girls won another team title with 173 points, besting Sheridan's 99 1/2 in the Big School Division, while Meadowbrook was fourth overall and the Small School Champion with 67 points.

Sheridan claimed the Big School boys title with 108 points over John Glenn's 88, while Coshocton came in third overall and first among Small Schools with 76. Morgan was fourth overall and second in the Small School with 70 points.

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More: Final MVL Track and Field results

Here is a breakdown of the area winners:

Boys

It was an impressive effort by the Coshocton sprinters, mainly Israel Rice. He swept the 100 (11.07) and 200 (22.79) titles and anchored the first-place 4x100 relay, which ran a school-record 43.23 seconds, with Riley Woodie, Logan Wince and Antwone Johns.

Rice acknowledged chemistry has been key to the relay's success, while dedication in the weight room has aided his rise as a sprinter.

"I got stronger and in better condition," Rice said. "This gives me confidence. I have good starts, but my top end speed helps me excel. I want to build on this effort."

Distance running highlighted the Generals' effort. Tate Ruthers won the 1,600 (4:26.5) after winning the 3,200 (9:37) on Wednesday, while the 4x400 (3:33.1) and 4x800 (8:28) relays, as well as Simon Conrad in the 800 (2:02.39) also placed first.

Ruthers is healthy and believes the distance runners, including John Skinner, are why Sheridan finds success in those races. Distance coach J.D. Walters, who has also built a dynasty in cross country, said this was the first time the team placed first and second in the Big Three — the 800, 1600 and 3200.

"I felt good in both, but I'm going to focus on the 3,200 in the postseason," he said. "Simon and John help me and the team so much, and we push each other. I feel good where I'm at, and my confidence is good. I want to compete with the big dogs."

Philo's Aidan Mahon continued to shine, claiming three titles in the 400 (51.11), long jump (21-6 1/2) and high jump (6-4). Despite a disappointing finish in the 200, Mahon used this as a gauge entering next week's district meet.

"I gained a bunch of confidence, knowing I can run with these guys," Mahon said. "I'm going to definitely push myself. I want to continue to perfect my techniques in the jumps."

Other event winners on the boys side were John Glenn's Alex Smith in the pole vault (13-0) and Cash Smith in the 110 hurdles (15.65); River View's 4x200 relay (1:33.05); Tri-Valley's Chris Gargasz in the shot (53-11) and Micah Shupert in the discus (145-5); and West Muskingum's Dustin Brown in the 300 hurdles (41.07).

Girls

Jessica Church highlighted a dominating effort from the Muskies, winning the 100 (12.89), 200 (26.39) and 400 (58.9). She then anchored the first-place 4x400 relay (4:14.11).

"I had some leg problems to start the season, but I'm healthy now. This is the first time I've won more than one event here so that means a lot," Church said. "My focus is to stay well-rested and keep improving. My times are better this time of year than they were last year at this time. I feel like I'm in a good spot with everything."

Brayden Snider chipped in a pair of titles in the long jump (16-11 1/2) and pole vault (a meet record 11-9) for John Glenn, while the 4x800 relay (10:07), Ashlynn Kuklica in the 1,600 (5:20) and 3,200 (11:34) and Ava Hoffman in the high jump (5-3) also won.

Snider, who finished third in the state in the pole vault last spring, is trying not to overthink her events.

"I'm just going instead of thinking too much about what I'm doing," she said. "I started the long jump this year, and I've come a long way. I know I can get way better, especially in the pole vault."

Maysville's Bella Van Wey followed up her discus win on Wednesday (126-10) by capturing the shot (39-11) on Friday. Both distances are school records, as Van Wey credited her coach Dustin Young for her improvement.

"It's really great to see everything come together," Van Wey said. "(Coach Young) knows what to say at the right time. He's really helped me get better."

Young praised Van Wey for buying in and dedicating time to hone her craft.

"She's healthy after having a foot injury last season. She also embraced the weight room and did what we asked her to do," Young said. "We've been able to get outside more consistently and having more practice has helped. Her confidence is growing, and you can see her start to figure things out."

Other girls event winners were New Lexington's Jocelynn Bowen in the 100 hurdles (16.1), Philo's 4x200 relay (1:48.17), Meadowbrook's 4x100 relay (52.55), West Muskingum's Molly Spiker in the 300 hurdles (46.98) and Sheridan's Beckett Strong in the 800 (2:20.41)..

bhannahs@gannett.com; X: @brandonhannahs

This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: Top athletes shine during MVL Track and Field Championships