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Canfield track teams count on experience
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By Greg Gulas
Mark Carden enters his fourth season as both the boys and girls track coach, hoping to return to the winner’s circle after finishing as runner-up in the All-American Conference with the boys, while anticipating a repeat as AAC girls champions.
The boys usually attract in excess of 50 athletes, but will welcome just 35 hopefuls this season — a number that excites Carden.
Gone is two-time state shot put champion Dustin Brode, who also won the Nike National Indoor Championship in Boston before departing for Harvard University.
“You just don’t replace someone the caliber of Brode, who also set the Ohio state record with a throw of 71-7 º,” Carden stated.
Junior Conner Hoelzel will take over for Brode in the throwing events and has shown excellent form during the preseason. Seniors to watch include junior Jon Hutnyan, who finished sixth at the state Indoor Championships with a time of 1:58.05 in the 800.
Senior Tyler Mettille is expected to carry the load in the hurdles and long jump, while sophomore Steven Hamilton, who had an excellent freshman campaign a season ago, is someone to watch in the sprints. Last season, he was a hurdler and jumper.
The Lady Cardinals won the All-American Conference Red Tier title last season, placing third in the district behind both Federal League foes Boardman and Austintown Fitch.
‘We’re cautiously optimistic about our chances this season and know that it will be a real challenge if we expect to repeat as AAC champions in 2011,” Carden stated.
“Of all of the points that we scored in the district meet last year, only one of those points was lost to graduation. That alone makes us feel like we can improve on our record of a season ago,” he added.
Nine seniors, including Leanna Hartsough, Emily Gleichert, Jenna George, Megan Martinko, Rachel Morris, Jillian Smith, twins Nicole and Katie Tiberio and Toni Topoleski will carry the load, while junior Maggie Bresnahan is an up-and-comer to watch, according to Carden.
Hartsough placed fifth in the high jump at the outdoor state meet last season and this past March 19, was fifth with a personal-best 5-6 jump at the indoor state meet.
Gleichert, a sprinter, made it to regionals last season and won the 100 (12.7), 200 and 4X100 at the AAC meet. Smith, a distance runner, won the AAC 400 while anchoring the 4X800 relay team that went to regionals.