Shelby's boys track team targets success

The Shelby boys track team has a few holes to fill but expectations remain the same, compete and be in prime shape to send athletes to state meet.

Shelby coach Chris Zuercher spoke about this year’s team.

“We are the returning MOAC and District champs,” he said. “This year will have a few holes to fill. However, we have the guys who are up for the challenge.”

“I think this year we might be more middle of the pack. However, it is tough right now to know who the favorite is,” Zuercher said.

“If the sprinters can produce, then we have a shot at the league title.”

The distance runners and throwers will be the strength of the 2024 team. The Whippets will rely on them for a lot of the points this season.

The boys distance runners are anchored by Luke Lesseuer, Sean Finnegan, Indy Mayer and Marshall Moore.

This group is coming off All-ohio honors in indoor track and Mayer and Moore were 3rd at state in 4x800 last year.

Moore is the returning 800 champ and was part of the record-setting MOAC 4x800 team along with Mayer. Mayer also was runner up in the Mid-ohio Athletic Conference 200.

The Whippets should be strong in the 800, 1600, 3200 and 4x800. Lesseuer, Finnegan, Mayer and Moore may run anything from 400-3200 and be competitive in each event.

Zane Robinson, and Evan Reed will be called on to have bigger roles this year for the distance runners.

Casey Redden,

Sawyer Eshlemen, Kaiden Parsons and AJ Haymaker will be utility guys and fill out the lineups this season.

AJ Roll, Luke Baker, and Blake Nixon will return for the sprinters. The sprinter crew will have issues with numbers and depth.

Baker returns and looks to have a breakout season in pole vault and 400.

“Blake is a hard worker that will do 200 and AJ will be our best hurdler,” Zuercher said. “Renner Gano, a freshman, has shown some flashes this spring and will be used a lot in 200 and 400. This group will need to gel as time goes on.”

Ferron Pena, Graham Yeager, Devin Marsh and Preston Walduff will anchor the throwers.

Pena and Yeager were 2nd and 3rd at league last year and Pena was 5th in the shot.

“We should be stronger in the discus with experienced throwers who have worked hard in the off-season,” Zuercher said.

David Jacobs/sdg Newspapers Members of the throwers on the Shelby track team throw the discuss on March 13 as they ready for the season.

David Jacobs/sdg Newspapers A Shelby pole vaulter practices skills at the Whippets athletic facility on March 13.

Shelby boys track team members shown earlier this month at an indoor track event. Shown left to right are Sean Finnegan, Indy Mayer, Marshall Moore, and Luke Lesseuer. They are coached by Chris Zuercher.