The 2010 edition of the men’s track team hopes to be competitive in all its scoring meets, make a run at the AMC championship, and qualify for nationals in record numbers. The Cavs will have depth in the sprints, middle distances, and relays, as well as in the throwing events. Two national qualifiers return from last year’s outdoor team and two qualified for the national indoor meet. The team will have to overcome the loss of several members of the long distance crew that may miss the season due to injury.
Sprints and Relays
The Cavs are loaded with underclassmen. Kevin Beichler (Jr., Smithville, OH/HS) looks 100 percent after missing the indoor season with hamstring problems. He will be joined by John Schweinfurth (So., Medina, OH/HS) in short sprints, along with long jumper and NAIA National Indoor Champion Joe Morgan (Jr., Canton, OH/McKinley). Brad Zeigler (So., Stow, OH/HS) will drop down from 400m as needed. Long sprinters include Caleb Stevenhagen (Fr., Portage Lakes, OH/Manchester) and Chris Weirtz (Jr., Hudson, OH/W. Reserve). Jumpers Andrew Saris (Sr., Smithville, OH/HS), Dan Harsh (So., Perry, OH/HS), and hurdler Brian Williams (Sr., Canton, OH/McKinley) will add relay depth.
Hurdles
A national qualifier indoor and outdoor, Brian Williams returns as the team’s lone 110 meter hurdler. He will be joined by freshman Colin Davis (Carrolton, OH/HS) in the 400 intermediate hurdles. Both will be significant relay men for the Cavaliers.
Field Events/Throws
After a season of learning, a group of young throwers will provide scoring punch for the Cavs this spring. Brad Schrecengost (Jr., Cortland, OH/Lakeview) and John Prokop (So., Zoarville, OH/Tusky Valley) look to be the team’s top hammer men. Lone senior Chad Rankin (Newton Falls, OH/HS) and Joe Paulenich (So., Youngstown, OH/Cardinal Mooney) look to lead the shot put. Schrecengost, Rankin, Prokop and Phil Breidenbach (So., Alliance, OH/Marlington) look to keep the point total up for the team in the discus. All throwers have skill in all the weight events. Kyle McBride (Jr., Canton, OH/Central Catholic) in the javelin and Luke Kelly (So., Wadsworth, OH/HS) in the pole vault look to provide solid AMC places in their events.
Jumps
Dan Harsh (So., Perry, OH/HS) made the biggest strides forward last season as the teams top all around jumper. He is the most versatile athlete of the group and is expected to place near the top of the conference meet in the long jump and high jump, as well as run the 4x100 meter relay. Joe Morgan broke the indoor long jump record and is expected to do the same outdoors. Tyler Pierce (Jr., Salem, OH/HS) is the team’s best high jumper and will long jump as well. Andrew Saris (Sr., Smithville, OH/HS) has been the team’s most successful triple jumper the past few seasons.
Distance
Freshmen should be the leaders of the middle distance group. Chris Noussias (Fr. Canton, OH/GlenOak) ran on the GlenOak High School 3200 meter relay team and should be able to join Evan Heck (So., Canton, OH/Central Catholic), Colin Davis, Chase Harshbarger (Fr., Akron, OH/Archbishop Hoban), and Chris Weirtz to qualify for the national outdoor meet in the 3200 meter relay, and perhaps individually as well. Caleb Stevenhagen (Fr., Portage Lakes, OH/Manchester) has the ability to move up from the long sprints to help the team in this area.
Luke Immel (Jr., Sugarcreek, OH/Garaway), Jordan Groubert (Fr., Hartville, OH/Lake), Dan Bauman (So., Paris, OH/St. Thomas Aquinas), and Dan Opeka (So., Canton, OH/St. Thomas Aquinas) are expected to lead the team in the longer distances and steeplechase. Look for Luke Slipski (Fr., Canfield, OH/HS) and Adam Stilgenbaur (Fr., New Philadelphia, OH/Tusky Central Catholic), to experiment with several distance events during the season. Senior Matt Long (Mogadore, OH/Field) returns to attempt a return trip to the NAIA national meet in the marathon.
