Port Clinton returns its regional-qualifying 4X100

Port Clinton is hunting success as the school's record-breaking 4x100-relay team returns.

It was second at districts and in the Sandusky Bay Conference.

Brandon Moore, Emerson Lowe, Cole Araguz and Nathan Stubblefield dropped the baton at regionals. Stubblefield was third in the high jump and fourth in the long jump in the SBC.

All of the Redskins' top scorers return from a team that finished seventh. Coach Seth Benner said Port Clinton should climb in the standings.

Seniors Marcus Hogan, Cal Laurel and Carter Rumball are new to track.

"They are doing a great job making practice a little more of a competitive environment," Benner said. "These seniors will help. The distance runners need to step up. I am very optimistic about the season."

Sievert returns for Rockets

Oak Harbor seniors Tyler Sievert, Cole Weirich and Cody Pfeiffer competed at regionals last season.

Sievert qualified in the 1,600 and 800, Weirich in the 100 and 200, and Pfeiffer in the 110 and 300 hurdles. Seivert (1,600/800) and senior Thomas Loope (110 hurdles) were Sandusky Bay Conference champs.

Seniors Andy Burnette (400), Vince Szabo (throws), Brandon Schimming (relays), Jake Wistinghausen (3,200), Kyle Rutledge (pole vault) and Tim Poiry (1,600/800) also return. Sophomores Isaiah Jefferson (200), Konnor Fletcher (3,200) and Nate Poiry (300 hurdles/high jump) earned letters as freshmen.

Seniors Deshawn Johnson (sprinter/jumps), Quinton Jones (sprints) and Ben Dresser (middle distance), juniors Collin Hayslett (middle distance) and Noah Harder (throws), and sophomore Austin Tallman (middle distance) are varsity newcomers.

The Rockets finished fourth in the conference last season. Oak Harbor has 21 seniors, among 50 athletes this season.

"Our upperclassmen have learned what it takes in practice and through experience to do well in meets," Rockets coach Andy Augsburger said. "Our middle distance group has always been strong with Tyler, Tim and Jake leading the way.

"With (Pfeiffer and Loope) leading the way (in hurdles), we will look to start our meets off on a good note. Our sprinting relays need to improve. We will look to find someone who will take ownership of the the high jump and long jump."

Weirich back for Wildcats

Junior Ross Weirich competed on the 4x800 relay at regionals last season.

Junior Grant Matwiejczyk (distance) is the only other returner. Seniors Ryan Avers (distance), Jeremy Cuevas (distance) and Ryan Schiavone (sprints), junior Nick Fruchey (sprints), and sophomore JT Atkins (sprints) are varsity newcomers.

Justin Merkle will compete in the pole vault.

"We have a smaller team than we have had the last couple years with several talented new kids who are out for track for the first time or are getting back into track," Wildcats coach Mike Moreno said. "How quickly those kids come along will go a long way in determining how our season goes. We have a number of talented athletes on the team, but depth will be a problem."

Comets add Belcik, McClure

Genoa junior Bihn won the high jump at the Northern Buckeye Conference meet and qualified to regionals last season.

Junior Dylan Witt and senior John Takas return in the throwing events.

Andrew Belcik (sprints), Donte McClure (sprints/long jump), Nick Stahl (hurdles), Eric Traver (pole vault), Robert Wilson (distance) and Luke Heritage (middle distance) are varsity newcomers for the Comets.

Logan Bryer, who throws at Kentucky, was a senior last year.

"Takas and Witt have huge shoes to fill, but they should score throughout the year," Comets coach Paul Patterson said. "Our sprints should be improved with the addition of McClure and Belcik. The team has worked extremely hard this preseason and hopefully the results will follow."

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