BOYS PREVIEW
The Tyrone boys track and field team finished 7-3 last year and with a large and talented squad, they hope for an even better showing this season.
“The strength of our team this year is depth. We have been building our depth for the last couple of years. We will be very strong in the sprints, jumps, distance events, and relays. This has the potential to be a very successful season for the boys,” Tyrone Head Coach Brad Kanuch said.
Adding to a solid group of 17 returning letter winners, there are 25 newcomers on the squad this year from every class.
“We are feeling good this year. I think we are going to send a good group to [the invitational meets]. We have great potential for some of the young underclassmen and a solid group of returners,” said senior Rocky Romani.
The boys’ top 4×100 team this year will comprise a combination of seniors Dravyn Crowell, Brady Ronan, Andrew Weaver, and juniors Seth Hoover and Austin Lucas.
Among the newcomers, freshman Drew Irons ran a 54 in his first varsity 400-meter dash. Former varsity baseball player Steven Buck is a first-year track and field athlete and won the javelin while running a 55 in the 400 in his first meet ever.
Senior Andrew Weaver looks to improve his standing and make the state meet in the jumps. He is a two-time district placer in the long jump, triple jump, and the 4×100 relay.
Coming back from injury, senior Brady Ronan is looking for a district title in the long jump and as a member of the 4×100 relay. Ronan also looks to break records in the 100m and 200m. In his first meet, he ran an exceptional 11.1 in the 100m and a 23.2 in the 200m.
New jumpers hoping to make an impact this year include juniors Eli Woomer, Logan Rumberger, senior, Elijah Knarr, and freshman Mason Emigh.
“The team has the most depth since I’ve been at Tyrone. The goal is always to win a championship. We believe we have a team that can compete for the Mountain League and a team that can compete at invitationals and districts,” Kanuch said.
In the throwing events, junior Cian Hockenberry hopes to pick up from where he was at the end of last season and place at districts in the shot put and discus. Newcomer Alex Starr, competing in all three throwing events, will also rack up team points for the boys and begin his high school varsity career along with John Stanton and Corey Gilman.
GIRLS PREVIEW
On the girl’s side, the Lady Eagles will look to improve on their 3-7 record from last year.
“We have a very solid group of sprinters, jumpers, and middle-distance runners returning. Our throwers will also continue to take steps forward. We have a very strong core of freshmen coming up this year as well,” Kanuch said.
Tyrone’s girls 4×100 relay was a top finisher at districts last year. Sophomore Nicole Ramsey, senior Rebecca Lewis, freshman Sarah Chichester, and senior Bree Paul look to finish in a similar place.
“I’m excited to see how the 4 by 100 relay does this year. For the past three years, the girls have won Districts. During my first two years on varsity, the girls’ team won districts as a whole. I’m hoping to see the same results. Our girls team always lacks depth, but that hasn’t stopped us in the past,” senior Becca Lewis said.
In the girls’ throwing events, junior Kylee Nelson and sophomore Raeleigh Oliver are Tyrone’s top and most experienced throwers.
Nelson hopes to throw at least a 120 or beat her personal record in javelin, and throw at least an 80 in discus. Oliver hopes to PR in every event that she can and to go into the sport with a positive mindset.
The returning state qualifiers from the 2022-2023 season are sophomore Nicole Ramsey, senior Rebecca Lewis, and junior Alayna Greene. Ramsey attended states for the 4 x 100-meter relay, Lewis for the 4 x 100-meter relay, the long jump, the 100-meter dash, and the 200-meter dash, and Greene for the 4 x 100-meter relay.
Despite a core group of talented athletes, Kanuch said that his biggest concern for the girl’s team is their lack of depth.
“Like last year we have a very small group of girls who have come out. This makes it difficult to fill an entire meet. Our girls know they will be doing events they may not be used to, but they embrace that challenge,” Kanuch said.
Kanuch will be assisted by Steve Everhart, Charles Hawkins, Ardean Latchford, Mara Focht, Mike Wills, Chesney Saltsgiver, and Lindsey Kanush.
