HAGERSTOWN, Ind. – The Hagerstown track programs both won Tri-Eastern Conference titles last season and there are expectations for a repeat performance.
“We always have the expectation of being competitive in our conference and sectional, though I don’t spend much time talking about wins or losses,” Boys Head Coach Kent Gray said. “I emphasize honest effort, mental toughness, and a positive attitude, and the rest generally follows as we have hard-working, responsible kids.”
“I expect the conference to be competitive again,” Gray added. “Union County would have to be the favorite based on returning athletes/points from last year’s conference meet. We have had some good meets with them recently. They beat us by one point at the TEC in 2014, and we beat them by 2.5 points at the TEC in 2015.”
Girls Head Coach Karen Matanich has the same expectation for her Tigers.
“I feel that this team will be ready to compete for the top spots in the conference,” Matanich said. “I have a large number of girls out this season.”
“A very large freshman class and a few upperclassmen out for track for the first time,” she continued. “I expect us to be competitive in almost all events. It may take a few meets for figure out the right spot for everyone.”
Junior Aimee Hoodlebrink and senior Kaylani Dale are back after winning TEC titles in 2015. Hoodlebrink won the 200-meter dash and long jump as Dale won the 300-meter hurdles.
The other top returners are senior Hailee Garrison, senior Paige Gray, junior Madeline Henley, junior Hannah Rogers, senior Shelly Shafer and sophomore Lizbeth Kinder.
“This group of girls are all outstanding team leaders, very hard workers at every practice,” Matanich said. “I expect them all to be on the leader board for the conference in their events by the end of the season.”
Senior Ryley Murray and junior Annie Warmoth are also on the roster, while Skylar Delaney, Emily Dick, Beth Jenkins, Kennedy Sutherland are sophomores.
“I have the largest incoming freshman class that I ever have had,” Matanich said. “They all are very hard working and determined to be competitive.”
The freshmen are Laney Adams, Maddie Banta, Rachel Burns, Haley Casebolt, Lynsie Compton, Abby Dale, Kaitlyn Inlow, Regan Klein, Maci Matanich, Kristen McFarland, Anna Shafer, Kaelynn Shultz, Ana Terry and Madison Zetzel.
On the men’s side, junior returners Keeton Adams and Mason Bledsoe both won TEC title last season. Adams won the shot put, while Bledsoe was first in the 3,200-meter run.
“We graduated some good athletes, but have a lot a key returnees as well,” Gray said. “We have been in the process of strengthening our schedule the past couple years.”
“This year we will again be at the highly-competitive Eaton Invite, will take some kids to the Midwest Prep Meet at Lawrence Central, and have added New Castle, Delta, and Richmond to our schedule,” Gray continued. “All of this will pay dividends by sectional time.”
The eight seniors on the roster are Bret Templin, Dakota Roach, Nick Arnold, Noah Clark, Nate Combs, Cody McMillan, Dylan Roach and Jackson Shively.
In addition to Adams and Bledsoe, the remaining juniors are Dustin Allen, Michael Bane, Ben Baumer, Jadon Baumer, Jordan Baumer, ,Drake Gunder, Bryce Halstead, Alec Hicks, Jevon Osborne, Tyler Paige, Noah Rich and Jared Weesner.
The sophomores are Blake Blevins, Michael Gray, Jalen Oliver, Seth Richards and Kaleb Slagle. Bailey Brown, Thomas Clark, Jacob Combs, Alexander McKee, Dylan Napier, Holden Robinson, Logan Tuttle and Tyler Wilson are freshmen.