Boys track and field watch list

ATHLETES TO WATCH

(in alphabetical order)

Bobby Casey, Mayfield: The senior is one of the area’s premier multi-event threats, highly capable in pole vault and long jump, and is a returning firstteam News-Herald all-star eager to make a state charge this spring.

Nate Dean, VASJ: Not being able to see this outstanding 400 performer at 100 percent health in the postseason last year was unfortunate — rest assured he’ll be aiming for sub-50 and Columbus as a senior as the Vikings move to Division III. Christian DeMitro, Lake Catholic: As a ninth-grader, this Cougars’ middle-distance standout showed a lot of mettle in 800 and on Lake’s 4x400 and 4x800 relays to earn second-team N-H honors. Del’Mario Hairston, Lake Catholic: Given how regularly this dynamic junior and likely News-Herald boys track and field athlete of the year candidate goes over 23 in long jump, he’s likely to test Randy Greenwood’s area-record 23-10 this year to go with very solid 400, sprint and relay work.

Dylan Henry, Gilmour: After taking fourth in D-II 100 at state last June and going to Columbus as a freshman and sophomore in 200, it will be fun to watch this senior go for a sprint double as the Lancers move back to D-III. Nate Kawalec, Chardon: The great Hilltopper distance tradition that includes legends such as Emil Heineking and Nick Elswick continues with

this senior, who was a solid fourth in D-I 3,200 at state in 2017.

Nolan Landis, Madison: It never hurts to add throwers to the local ranks who can vie for 60 in shot put and 170-plus in discus, and this junior, who was a Pennsylvania state qualifier in both events last spring for Erie Cathedral Prep, can.

Ronald Lee, Euclid: During indoor season, this senior had the state’s best time in 60 (6.88) — he’ll be a load in 100 and on the Panthers’ sprint relays, just as he was a load on the gridiron this past fall as a tailback.

Zak Mahdaoui, Mayfield: This senior has shown a lot of growth and promise throughout his career on a state-qualifying 4x4 and in open 400, and it would not be a surprise to see him vie for deep sub-50s when the Fitch Regional rolls around in May.

Quentin Woodall, Brush: Coming off a junior outdoor campaign during which he was fourth in D-I 110 hurdles and after winning a D-I indoor crown in 60 hurdles earlier this month, the sky is the limit for this Arcs’ senior who will challenge to break 14 in 110s.

AT THE LINE

• As far as postseason changes, the biggest is the aforementioned return of Gilmour to D-III, in which led by Henry and with distance and relay points could be enough to challenge for a state team title. Elsewhere, Benedictine is down to D-II and will be at the Bedford District along with fellow area entrant Chagrin Falls. • Don’t be surprised if Euclid, even despite graduating longtime standout Calel Christian, takes a decent shot at the 4x200 area record, paced by Lee and Arquon Bush. The Panthers took second in D-I state indoor with a 1:28.98. VASJ’s 2012 state title quartet holds the area mark at 1:28.01, which could be doable if everything goes to plan by late May. • It could be a special spring for Wickliffe, with the potential for three state boys track and field individualevent qualifiers in the same year for the first time since 1993. Two-time D-II long jump state qualifier Isaac Pettway could become the first boys track and field athlete in school history to advance to state three times in the same individual event. Jared Szinte should be primed for another D-II shot put charge after his breakout as a junior, and Dylan Barnes will aim for Columbus in distance after illness thwarted his aspirations a year ago. • Geneva’s Alex Bryan showed a great deal by launching a charge for state in D-II 800 in 2017, getting a 1:57.59 in a good field to take third at the Austintown-Fitch Regional. If Bryan can get into the 1:56s by June, he should vie for the podium as a senior. • A couple items coming off a deep season a year ago in high jump: Kirtland coach Greg Sayle noted returning D-III state qualifier Max Janas will miss at least most of the season due to injury, and Caden McGing is now at Mentor after making it to state last spring in D-II for Perry. McGing should give himself a chance in D-I as well out of Fitch if he can stay consistent at 6-3 and hit a 6-4 when it’s needed most. • There are also plenty of local standouts who could be poised for breakout campaigns. Keep an eye on Harvey’s Duane Grimes (110 hurdles), Chardon’s Jon McKnight (400), Mayfield’s Maurice Monroe (pole vault), University’s Justin Iler (3,200), Mentor’s Nicholas Kozlowski (800), Beachwood’s Langston Gaines-Smith (400) and Benedictine’s Matthew Dinovo (300 hurdles).