Well, when I said it would be 12 days it ended up being a month due to the last part of my spring semester being that stressful, but now that I have time I can finally get going on this with time to spare. So here I’ll be previewing the 2019 NECC Boys and Girls Track Tournament meet that will start just a few days before sectionals. Just to note that the girls meet will be on Wednesday May 8th at Fairfield while the boys will be on Friday May 10th at Garrett. Unfortunately, due to the lack of accurate information available, stats won’t be posted because it’s just not there from most schools. So, bare with me on that but hopefully it gives recognition for the athletes on these programs. Note: keep in mind this doesn’t include the relay teams as well in this Preview but obviously they’re important in these meets
Angola Hornets
The Angola Hornets could be coming in as a perennial contender for both the boys and girls Titles. Last year the boys were only a few points short of clinching their first tourney title in 30 years. As for the girls, they’ve won this tournament in each of the last 3 seasons. I expect the boys to definitely be in the mix yet again this week. As for the girls, I think they still have a good chance to win another title, but I don’t think it’s going to be as one sided as in past years mainly due to some improving teams.
Most notable Players to watch on the guys side are sophomore Tim Macomber who’s been solid in shot put, Senior Ben Villafuerte who had a great season as the backup kicker and punter has also been very good at the shot put and discus, sophomore Jacob Gibson has had nice seasons in the 100 and 200m dash, freshman Finley Hasselman has performed well in the 400m run, and freshman Izaiah Steury who’s had a strong season on the 1600 and 3200m Run. There might be a few other names I should know from them (hopefully I didn’t forget any big ones there).
As for the girls, not a whole lot of names to really keep an eye on that I know of but there’s a few from last year that are still there and doing well such as Junior Samantha Biernat in the 1600m run, Junior Taylor Clemens who went to regionals last year in the 1600m Run, Junior Jessica Davis who was one of many key pieces for winning a girls Basketball sectional championship this past winter has had a nice season in the shot put, Senior Michelle Luna is one to watch in the 100 200 and 400m run, and Senior Anna-Bella Sawyer Ewing who has had a nice couple seasons in the 100 and 200m dash. This also doesn’t include Grace Micheal Abby Stoy and Bailey Letendre among others.
Central Noble Cougars
Nornally, I have my numbers figured out with CN, but that’s not necessarily the case with track so I’m going by athletes to watch on both sides because a lot of these names you’re probably familiar with. Senior Jesse Jacobs who had a pretty good football career for the Cougars, expect him to be in the mix for all conference in the 100 and 200 m dashes, sophomore Clayton Kirkpatrick probably a future piece on the Cougar O and D lines will be competing once again mainly in the dash races and long jump, freshman Issac Clay is one to watch as well because he’s done pretty well in discus, John Schiber last year had a very good season at the pole vault and will try to repeat that performance for the next few weeks, and on top of that Ridley Zolman (high jump) Junior Nate Burr (discus) Carson Capps (high jump) and Sawyer Yoder are new additions to the boys roster as well.
On the girls side, two names obviously come in mind with the program. Last year, Meleah Leatherman in high jump and Katelyn Ayres in discus and shot put both took part in state and both performed very well in the big stage. Another name to keep an eye on is freshman Angela Price who will probably take part of the 400m run, as well as Amber Spencer in the 100 and 300m hurdles Brooke Behm in the high jump, Kylie Zumbrun in the 800m run. The boys for CN should improve this season especially with the additions of a couple talented kids. For the girls, they were runner ups in the NECC tourney to the powerful Angola Hornets despite being a 54-point separation, and you should expect somewhat similar results to that of last year.
Churubusco Eagles
Another school that could bring home the hardware is the Churubusco Eagles, especially on the boys side. Last year, despite being the 3-time defending tourney champs lost by I believe it was a point or less to a powerful Westview Warriors team and fought neck and neck with Angola as well. One other thing I want to mention with the boys is that they did win their invite and both the boys and girls won the invite at Antwerp Ohio. Last year wasn’t a bad year for the girls team, but it looks to be a much stronger group entering this season.
Names to watch for the boys are Sophomore Cody Murphy in the 200m dash, Senior Tanner Allen and freshman Hunter Bianski in shot put, Brandt Parsons in the 800m run, Junior Sam Wood who went to State last year in the pole vault but also is a threat in the 110 and 300m hurdles and long jump, as well as guys like Joey Emenhiser, Gage Kelly, Nick Nondorf, and Reece Wicker who all have played a big role in other sports.
On the lady’s side, Junior Maggie Burita was one that represented Busco at state in the pole vault and expect her to do well again in this year’s tournaments, freshman Hannah Boersma is one to possibly watch out for in most likely the high jump, and then there are some girls like Madi Gaff and Mariah Hosted who you might be familiar with from other sports.
Eastside Blazers
The Blazers track programs aren’t quite as strong as they were probably 3-4 years ago, but there’s still some talent to keep an eye on that could be poised to go all Conference this season. On the boys side, you have the most notable name in senior Trey Staley who had a great football season was a beast last year particularly in the 60m dash along with a couple guys like sophomores Jared Seiler in shot put and Nic Blair in the 200m and high jump.
On the girls side, look no further than Junior Erika Brock who had a tremendous showing in last years sectional for the 100m dash and should be a threat in the 400m as well, sophomore Sully Kessler in the 60m hurdles and high jump, Senior Chloe Whitman is one to watch in the shot put as well as freshman Brittany Geiger in the high and long jump.
Fairfield Falcons
The Fairfield Falcons are a team that maybe we’re not giving enough credit and their boys group might have something to prove that they can contend this tournament. As for the girls, they had a bit of a down year last year despite some good things to like from the group and should see some good coming out from them. One other thing to mention on the boys side they did win the Kelly Relays meet despite not winning a single event per Coach Thacker.
On the boys side, keep an eye on Senior Dillon Weatheron who You May or may not know that he was the lone senior on this past years football team as he’ll mainly be in the pole vault along with sophomore Cory Lantz, Senior Skylar Mast who you probably remember from basketball should be a threat in the 60m dash and the high jump, sophomore Brayden Short should also be a good one in the 60m dash. Also keep an eye on junior Jared Hagerman who should be in the hunt for all conference in the 60m hurdles along with Senior Logan Zamora, as well as juniors Nolin Sharick (long jump) and Bryce Willard (shot our) who performed in other sports at a high level this year.
On the ladies, keep your eyes open for Senior Chloe Bontrager in the High Jump, sophomore Maddy Yoder in the 60 and 400m runs and the 60m hurdles, and Senior Olivia Elledge should be one to watch in the 60m hurdles and 60m dash.
Fremont Eagles
Ok, Fremont isn’t necessarily known for their track compare to their cross country but it doesn’t mean we can’t appreciate the kind of athletes that could make noise for the next couple weeks. On the boys side, the one name to definitely watch for is senior Kenny Laws which sounds like he is a beat in the shot put as well as sophomore Preston Applegate. Also keep an eye on another senior Hayden McLatcher who could make a case in the 800 and 3200m run.
On the girls side, junior Grace Schmucker is the one that stands out the most in that group a very talented kid who has also performed well in cross country should be competing for an all conference selection in the high jump. Junior Samantha Kuhn is pretty versatile in this sport but definitely keep an eye on her in the long jump.
Garrett Railroaders
Garrett is usually known for their track especially on the ladies side so expect some strong talent on Garrett’s group to make an impact. On the ladies’ side, sophomore Emma Kioski gets a lot of praise and rightfully so especially when she recently broke a school record in the 100m dash which is impressive. She’ll also be right in the mix in the 200m dash.
You might recall freshman Natalie Armstrong from basketball well she can perform in track to as she should be a force in the 400m run and the long jump, Junior Jada Moore should be one strong contender in the 60m dash and the long jump, the Baver sisters Lexi and Ella should do pretty well in the pole vault, sophomore Sadie Best is another to watch in discus and shot put, as well as sophomore Valencia Placencia in the 800m run, and freshman Jordan Baer in the 100m hurdles.
Now, we must give some love to the boys and some names to keep an eye on here are Senior Austin Leech (a name you might recall from soccer) in the 60m dash, Senior Connor Kissinger in the 400m Run, Senior Dawes Dircksen in the 800m run, junior Kraig Smith in the high and low jump, Kaleb Krontz in the 300m hurdles, and junior Connor Davis in the Pole Vault.
Lakeland Lakers
Fun fact if you’re a Lakers fan, track has historically been a strength for your school, but its been 5 years since the boys last won the tourney and you have to go back to 1995 on the girls side. It should be an interesting couple of weeks for them but there are some names to really be having your eyes on.
On the boys side, keep an eye on Senior Brian Bergman a name that might be familiar in football and wrestling in the shot put, Senior Colin Alleshouse in the 400m run, Senior Austin Collins in the 60m dash and pole vault, sophomore Lucas Begley in the 1600 and 3200m Run, and senior Keaton Fleeman in the 800m run. On the girls side, a couple names to watch for are freshman Natalie Huffman in the long jump, sophomore Keirstin Roose (yes she can do track to) in discus, Senior April Chrisman in the 3200m run, and sophomore Ella Lewin in the 800m run.
Prairie Heights Panthers
The Panthers are a very interesting group to keep a close eye on especially on the girls side as we get close to the NECC tourney meet. Stat to note the boys haven’t won a tourney title in 33 years and for the girls it’s been 36 years. For the boys keep an eye on junior Skylar Cummings mainly in the pole vault, junior Clay Schenkel in the 60m dash, senior Hans Franke in the shot put, Justus Spriggs in the 300m hurdles, and sophomore Zach Wiseman in the high jump and pole vault. On the girls side who won the Westview invite recently, keep an eye on sophomore Jaycee Malone in the 60m hurdles, sophomore Samantha Roberts in the 800m run, sophomore Sidney Hoover in the 400m dash, and senior Dezirae Napier in the shot put
West Noble Chargers
There’s a lot of hype going around for the West Noble Chargers especially since both teams have already won their division. Can the Chargers bring a NECC title back to Ligonier? That we’ll have to wait and see but it is possible with as much talent as there is on both teams. The boys and girls are both undefeated this season. And honestly, this years programs are pretty darn good.
For the boys, keep a close eye on Rocky Slone in the 110m hurdles, Junior Brandon Pruitt in the 100 and 200m dash, junior Josh Gross in the 400m dash high jump and 110m hurdles, Jalen Gonzalez in the 300m hurdles, Jordan Shoemaker in the 800m Run, Neal Kathary in the 1600m run, Abraham Longoria and Dakota Thompson in the 3200m run, and Kyle Mawhorter in the pole vault.
On the girls side, keep an eye on Senior Madison Schermerhorn in the 100 and 200m dash and long jump, sophomore Lilly Mast in the 400m run, sophomore Erin Shoemaker in the 800m run, junior Yarency Murillo-Rivera in the 1600m run, Carol Haldeman in the 3200m run, and Jazmyn Smith in the 300m hurdles.
Westview Warriors
Ah yes what’s a track tourney meet without the Westview Warriors. Historically like any other sport it seems, Track has been well known at Westview to especially from the boys side and you have to think the guys could, but they’ll have to get past some tough competition.
On the ladies side, Aleka Ernsberger still only a junior went to state last year and competed very well in one of the dash races that I don’t remember at this time. But she’ll be a threat yet again in every dash race from 100-400, senior Jordan Miller not too far out from Ernsberger will also be a good one in these Races, senior Alayna Bates will be another good one in the discus and shot put with LeAnna Miller not too far behind her, and potentially Ashley Mullet in the long jump.
On the boys side, keep an eye on Anthony Schwartz and Remington Carpenter in the 800 and 1600m run, Dylan Nowicki and Martin Miller in the 400m run, Jeremy Miller in the 300m hurdles, and Spencer Carpenter and Kent Yoder in the 3200m run.
Final Thoughts
Boys: on paper, West Noble HAS to be the favorite because, sweet mercy! they basically got 90% of their main guys from a strong football team to this roster. But, obviously the depth and talent from Westview even though they’re having a slightly regressed season compared to last year are still dangerous in these situations. Personally, I could see a tight race between WN, Westview, Angola, and Busco with possibly Fairfield in the mix as well because there’s just something different about this group I don’t know why.
As for the girls, it’s a bit more uncertain. If you would of told me last year I would have said it would be Angola vs everyone else because they were so gifted and talented that it was almost brutal for opposing teams and athletes. But, it is difficult to replace the now current Illinois State pole vaulter Ali Cranston, along with Sarah Brandt, Kaitlyn Brown, Autumn Presley, and others. But, nevertheless because it’s Angola and it’s Angola track they’re in this mix every year as long as they have a good enough team which apparently they do. But, I do think it’ll be more competitive this time because West Noble is pretty tough, CN with Ayres and Leatherman have to be in the top 5 of the conference, Garrett has a real nice group, Busco has gotten better, and something seems different with Heights to. In the end, I’m still giving the edge to Angola just because the kind of culture they have with track and theres a reason they’re the defending champs, but I do have WN probably with the best odds to ending their streak.
Around the NorthEast Corner 