Hochstettler, L-B take hold of boys trophy

FOSTORIA – The Liberty-Benton boys track team didn't request that Jackson Hochstettler go out and take the Blanchard Valley Conference team championship trophy. His teammates practically demanded it. It was easy to see why. Led by Hochstettler – the boys MVP of the meet – the Eagles topped Van Buren 179-147 for the team title. "It just shows that they care about me, like we're all brothers," he said. "It's a good feeling to know that they want to see me succeed, just as much as I want to see them succeed." McComb – paced again by 2023 MVP, Braxton Althauser – finished third with 83 points, and Arlington was fourth with 71. "(Van Buren) Coach (Joe) Hudok did a great job of having his boys ready. We didn't separate a ton, really, until the last couple events," said L-B track coach Paul Gladden. Hochstettler won the 800 in 155.9, and the 1,600 in 4:20.79. He also anchored the winning 4-x-800 relay (8:30.26), joining Evan Makowski, Justin Cook and Aiden Lee. He was also part of the 4-x-400 team, which took third for L-B. "He led us. He's truly a special talent, and we're very fortunate to have him," Gladden said. "It was a good feeling," Hochstettler said of getting the BVC crown. "Everyone shows up to practice, works their tails off. It showed tonight." Also claiming titles for the Eagles were Owen Wilkins, who ran 40.86 in the 300 hurdles and 15.22 in the 110 hurdles to take home both titles. In addition, Liberty-Benton's Braden Bell, Karson Griffin, Brayden Lemire and Frederick Jonas won the 4-x-100 rewlay in 45. Bell also won the 200 in 23.06. L-B's Stefan Kolan cleared 15-6 to claim the pole vault. Tyler Grose won the discus with a throw of 173-2. "It was a total team effort tonight. We worked together," Gladden said. "We had a game plan, (the boys) bought in, and they delivered." Althauser won the 100 dash in 11.17. He also jumped 22-6½ for the long jump crown. Elijah Gibbs, his teammate, won the shot put, throwing 52-3¼. Van Buren's Mike Pendergast claimed the 400 in 51.46. The Black Knights also won the 4-x-200 relay, with Josiah Chapin, Nick Carey, Curtis Ware and Harmon Reed winning in 1:32.56. VB also won the 1,600 relay, as Pendergast, Ware, Harmon and Landon Fisher ended in 3:29.85. Elmwood's Jakob Zibbel won the 3,200 in 9:59.96. Arlington's lone win came in the long jump, from Calvin Willow. He cleared 6-6. Riverdale finished sixth with 67 points, followed by Elmwood (53), P-G (50) and Vanlue 7.