Glenn running out large numbers on b/g track teams
WALKERTON - If the weather cooperates, today will be the season-opening track meet for the Glenn High School boys and girls team as Rochester is scheduled to visit for a dual meet.
When the Falcon athletes roll out, it might look more like a football game with the large number of participants for both Glenn squads.
“We have the most boys out this season that we’ve ever had (40) so we have some pretty good depth,” said Glenn head boys coach Austin O’connor. “Along with that depth, we have pretty athletic kids so we should be able to not have to load everyone to maximize points in a meet. We should be able to have some of our top athletes focus on a couple events, rather than four like we’ve had to do in the past. About 70 percent of our team is underclassmen, so as long as they stick with it throughout the years, we should have good numbers out each year. Those freshmen and sophomores will really help us fill some of our top three spots in all of our events.”
The returning letterwinners include seniors Will Baldwin (110 m hurdles, regional qualifier), Blake Malstaff (distance/mid-distance), John Schmalzried (distance/ mid-distance), Andrew Snyder (throws) and Daniel Solymosi (throws), junior Ryan Shoue (distance/mid-distance) and sophomore Ty Larkin (high jump, regional qualifier).
Newcomer Jonny Kambol, a junior, is expected to make an immediate impact with the mid-distance events once he is healthy. Freshmen to watch include Julian Mcmahon (sprints, throws) and Colton Green (sprints).
For the Lady Falcons, the overall experience level may be on the low end, but the squad is high in numbers and optimism.
“We are relying on our
small group of upperclassmen to lead our young group,” said Glenn girls track coach Kurt Foster. “The older girls will really carry our distance and mid-distance groups. Our sprints and field events are loaded with young potential. We are hoping to see several breakout years from some of them. As long as these young girls stay with the program, we have great building blocks for the future.”
The Lady Falcons return just three seniors and a junior for the 2022 season. The upperclassmen are Katelynn Braun, Haley Vermillion and Emma Lichtenbarger, to go along with junior Lanie Day.
“(Katelynn and Haley) will be key pieces in our distance group and Emma will be able to fill in some key races when she gets healthy,” added Foster. “Lanie, our lone junior, will be a big part of our mid-distance group.”
Earlier this school year Braun signed to continue her running career in college at St. Mary’s of the Woods.
This spring’s Lady Falcons team will be bolstered by 19 freshmen and sophomores.
“We are hoping to get a lot out of our young athletes,” continued Foster, who is assisted by Jenn Carr and Matt Malstaff. “Sophomores Tara Woods (sprints) and Sophia Romer (hurdles) should help us a lot. Freshman Michaela Hurford will slot in as our No. 1 thrower and shows vast amounts of potential. There are several girls who have the opportunity to step up and be a letterwinner this year. We are excited to see what happens with this young group.”
If today’s meet gets washed out, the next competition is next Tuesday, April 12, at Jimtown, then a home three-way meet against Bremen and Laville a week later. Other schedule highlights include the Lancer Relays (@ Laville May 2) and Glenn’s Rippy Invitational (May 6).
“We are really hoping to win our home invite (Rippy) this year,” Foster said. “We are also excited to join the Lancer Relays this season.”
Added O’connor, “We’d obviously like to win our home invite. Winning the Lancer Relays would be nice too.”
Glenn’s boys will again be in the tough 10-team Penn Sectional and the girls in the Mishawaka Sectional field that includes Penn, Mishawaka Marian, South Bend Saint Joseph and all the South Bend public schools.
Matt Malstaff and Jennifer Carr are the assistant coaches this year.