FHS track teams prep for NLL meet

There will be a lot of new names and faces on the other runners and throwers but the goal will be the same when Findlay High's boys track team goes after a fourth straight league title at the Northern Lakes League championships beginning today at Oregon Clay. "Top to bottom, the NLL is a tough, tough league," said Findlay High coach Brian Rosendale, who guided the Trojans to three straight Three Rivers Athletic Conference boys titles before that league disbanded after the 2022-23 school year. "There are some great athletes in this league. Competing against those kind of kids, that's what makes it fun." Findlay has already faced many of its NLL opponents in big meets this season, including last Friday when the Trojans, with 122 points, outscored Fremont Ross (103), Sylvania Northview (59½) Anthony Wayne (48) and Springfield (45) to win the FHS Invitational at the Cooper Tire Track and Field Complex. Perrysburg, deep and solid in all sports, Toledo Whitmer, which won two TRAC boys track titles in three years before Findlay started its run of three straight crowns, and Sylvania Southview are also expected to be near the top of the standings. Findlay's depth, especially in the sprints, has allowed the Trojans to double-up in several events and earn valuable second-tier points. Dominic Smith (10.94) and Avion Miles (10.98) both ran sub 11-second times in placing 1-2 in the 100-meter dash at the FHS Invitational, Israel Moore (22.38) and Smith (22.47) were second and third in the 200 and both teamed with Miles and Jacob Ragland on a 400-meter relay team whose winning time of 43.05 was nearly a school record in that event. The same foursome comprised an 800 relay team that finished second (1:29.53). James Steffen has placed well in the hurdles and Adrian Stechschulte is Findlay's top threat in the distance events, winning the 800 (1:57.08) at the FHS Invitational and placing second in the 1,600. Miles was the TRAC champion in the long jump as a sophomore and was second in that event last year. Luke Swan and Jeremiah Spiceland, the defending TRAC champ, in the pole vault, Ashton Yeager in the throws and Dane Green-Moran in the long jump are capable of adding up points in the field events as well. Findlay's girls track team won a TRAC title in 2022 and will be looking to rebound from a fourth-place league finish in 2023. Toledo Whitmer won the TRAC girls championship last year and will be one of the teams to beat again in the NLL, along with an Anthony Wayne team that edged Findlay 127-109 for the title at the FHS Invitational. Fremont Ross (94) was a close third in the girl standings of that meet. "Anthony Wayne is a very good team. Staying right with them is a testament to our kids," FHS girls coach Mark Gleason said after that meet. Corrine Seager in the hurdles and Natalie Gutman in the distance events are double-threat runners for Findlay. Seager won the 100 hurdles (16.93) and placed second in the 300s with a personal best time 49.43 at last week's meet. Gutman is a returning league runner-up in both the 1,600 and 3,200. Katelyn Stechschulte won the long jump (16-8) at the FHS Invitational and anchored the second-place 800 relay team that included Mya Hammer, Olivia Gayhart and Josie Weihrauch. The 2024 NLL meet will get under way today with prelims and some field event finals. The finals are set for Friday.