By BRAD BAUGHMAN | For The Democrat
Brown County High School Boys Track and Field Coach Kirk Wrightsman’s goals for this spring are the same as years past.
“We want to place in the top three at the Western Indiana Conference meet with a shot at winning, and we want our school to be represented at the IHSAA (Indiana High School Athletic Association) state finals,” he said of his goals for his team this year.
With a roster of 26 athletes representing all four grade levels, the Eagles could have the experience, talent and depth to achieve those goals.
“These kids are working extremely hard in practice daily, and we have the potential to do some great things this spring,” said Wrightsman.
Wrightsman said he believes the strongest part of this 2022 squad will be his distance runners and his throwers. “We are going to be asking a lot out of both these groups,” Wrightsman said.
Junior Chase Austin, coming off a hugely successful cross-country season, returns to lead the distance runners and will get support from seniors Rhet Silbaugh and Waylon Patrick. Sophomore Cord Smith and freshman Case Smith will also see plenty of activity in the distance events.
Another junior, Wyatt Barnett, returns as the top thrower and may be poised to have a break-out season.
“Wyatt has gotten stronger and had a great opening night at IU on Tuesday with a toss of 42-9 in the shot put,” stated Wrightsman.
Joining Barnett in the thrower’s circle are senior Jack Redding, who had a throw of 38-5 at Indiana University in the opening indoor meet, and freshman Jackson Daugherty.
The sprints and the jumps pose a concern for Wrightsman.
“We have graduated several out of that area in recent years and are working to establish some depth there,” he said.
One runner in the group, Ethan Spiece, is standing out early in the season. “His off-season work has gotten him much stronger, and he is looking very good early,” said Wrightsman of his junior sprinter. “Kody Shugars, a freshman, will be an asset to our sprints and jumps group,” added Wrightsman who said the coaches are still trying to identify athletes who can help in the two areas.
Though the season has just begun, Wrightsman is enjoying his blended group of veterans and newcomers. “I really like this team. I couldn’t ask for a better group of young men to work with daily. Their work ethic is strong, and their attitudes are positive,” he said.
The first outdoor competition for the Eagles is scheduled for Tuesday, April 5 at 5:30 P.M. when they travel to Bloomington High School North for a three-way meet with the host Cougars and the Bedford North Lawrence Stars.
Small, but mighty
Any girl listed on this year’s high school girls track team should have plenty of opportunities to run, throw and jump. Only 13 girls are currently listed on coach Jay Myers’ roster, but Myers is undaunted.
“Typically with our girls track team, we have quality over quantity. Our numbers are small, but we get the most out of the girls that we do have,” he said.
Junior distance specialist Hadley Gradolf is expected to enjoy another successful spring season. Gradolf finished eighth in the 3200-meter run in last year’s IHSAA regional meet, and she grabbed the 23rd spot in last fall’s IHSAA state cross-country championships.
Christy Sebastian returns as the team’s best long sprinter and hurdler. The senior took seventh in last year’s IHSAA regional in the 300-meter hurdles, and in last week’s indoor meet at IU, she sprinted to a fifth place finish in the 60-meter dash.
Joining Sebastian in the sprints will be Alli Majors. Majors will also do some long jumping. Junior Xyleigh Thompson will focus on the high jump and long jump, the event she finished fifth in at the recent IU meet, while fellow junior Lizzie Roush will handle the shot put and discus duties.
Newcomers to the team include junior distance runner Jamie Bube along with freshmen shot-putter and sprinter Iris Ford, distance runner Megan Cumberledge and sprinter Ella Shultz.
Myers knows the lack of depth will be tough to overcome, but he is confident that his squad still has some point scoring capabilities in it.
“We will have the potential for some girls to place and score some points in our big meets, Western Indiana Conference championships, and IHSAA sectional,” he said.
The girls will open their outdoor season Tuesday, April 5, at 5:30 p.m. when they travel to Bloomington High School North for a three-way meet with the host Cougars and Bedford North Lawrence High School.
