The area delegation to the state track and field championship wasn’t the biggest ever sent, but it was a quality one.

The entire collection of state qualifiers and a handful of others are all members of the 2022 All Times Leader Track and Field Team.

The team is chosen by the T-L Sports Staff with the help of area coaches.

Bellaire’s Colt Sechrest, Shadyside’s Mason VanNest and St. Clairsville’s Emily Thompson are the co-captains of the squad.

Here’s a capsule look at the athletes:

COLT SECHREST, Bellaire — This Big Reds senior will unquestionably go down as the greatest discus thrower in Ohio Valley history.

He put the finishing touches on a brilliant prep career by placing fourth in the platter event at the Division II state meet. He was also sixth in the shot put at the state. En route to Columbus, Sechrest was the Buckeye 8, OVAC, District and Regional champion and set the all-time Ohio Valley record of 189-2, which is also the Nelson Field stadium record.

“It’s no wonder Colt will be remembered as the best discus thrower in Valley history,” Bellaire head coach Shawn Valloric said. ” I have told quite a few people this, ‘Colt won a ton of meets and set all kinds of records, but the thing I will remember most about him is his incredible work ethic.’ Even after throwing practice throws he would jog out to get the discs he just threw. Always getting that extra work in.”

MASON VANNEST, Shadyside – This Tigers senior made the most of his only season as a track and field participant.

VanNest finished as an All-Ohioan in both the 100 and 200 meter dashes. He was the Division III state runnerup in the 200 meter dash with a blazing 21.71 clocking. He placed fourth in the 100. He was the OVAC Class 1A/2A champion in both sprints as well as the district. He won the 100 at the regional, but settled for second in the regional.

“When Mason said he was going to (run) track, I don’t think any of the coaches thought he was serious,” Tiger head coach Jeff Campbell said. “We were blown away with how well he did at the Bellaire Relays and that was what he did all season. Anytime he needed to be faster, somehow he figured it out and ran faster. He absolutely deserved to be on the podium. He’s an amazing athlete. We were really lucky to have him come out.”

MAYSON SOCHOR, Bellaire — This sophomore put forth another impressive campaign in the high hurdles for team.

Sochor qualified for the Division II state meet for the second straight season. Along the way, he was the bronze medalist in both the district and the regional. He claimed the OVAC Class 3A title.

“Mayson showed great consistency this season. His ‘bad’ races came from minor things he was willing to listen about and how to fix,” Valloric said. “Last year, I think he ran on instinct. This year he ran like a veteran that didn’t let much bother him. A little more growth, strength, and speed should allow him to have an even better season next year.”

TYLER JENKINS, Barnesville — This senior distance ace put together a final campaign that won’t soon be forgotten in the area.

Jenkins capped a brilliant prep career by finishing fourth in the Division II state 3200 meter run with a sizzling time of 9:19.83. He finished second in both the district and regional meets en route to the state. He also qualified for the regional in the 1600.

At the OVAC, Jenkins was the Class 3A champion in the 1600, 3200 and the 4×800. He also placed third in the 800. He claimed the MOVL titles in all three distance races as well as part of the 4×8.

Interestingly, Jenkins, who broke the BHS school record three times, had no meet this season — prior to the state — where he didn’t finish first or second in either the 1600 or 3200.

“Ever since last season ended, Tyler has been highly motivated to make sure he reached his goals of making and placing in the state meet,” Barnesville head coach Dylan Rogers said. “He was on a mission since last May and nothing was going to stand in his way to be on the podium. He’s, by far, the hardest-working athlete I’ve ever coached and it comes from his own self-motivation and dedication. He did everything he could to help everyone on the team throughout the season. He will be missed for everything he did for us on the track, but even more for what he did for his teammates throughout the years.”

HAYDEN MCCRATE, Union Local — This talented junior hurdler put forth another impressive campaign for the Jets.

McCrate advanced to the Division II state meet in the 110 high hurdles for the second straight season. He was fourth at both the district and regional meet to earn his way to Columbus. He was the overall high hurdle champion — as well as 4A — in the OVAC. He was also a high placer in the Buckeye 8 championship.

“Hayden had a bittersweet season,” said his head coach and father, Sean. “He had some great accomplishments during the season such as the OVAC; however, he left the state meet this year with a feeling of dissatisfaction. That feeling should serve as motivation for his senior season.”

JOHNNY SABINSKI, Union Local — This Jets’ field standout put forth a highly impressive season in both the shot put and discus circles.

Sabinski was a man on a mission in both throwing events that led him to the Division II state meet in both. He placed fifth in the state. En route to Columbus, Sabinski was the Buckeye 8, OVAC, district and regional champion in the shot put. He was the conference champion in the discus in 4A and placed second in district and third in the regional.

” I’ve never coached a kid that improved so much from the prior year,” UL head coach Sean McCrate said. “He was 13 feet better in the shot put and 30 feet better in the discus. He earned his accolades this season by spending a lot of time away from UL track practice improving his skills. He’s an extremely competitive person and does not have any fear of failure.”

FRANCIS TOOHEY, Martins Ferry – This senior was able to cross off several items on his pre-season list of goals this spring for Coach Greg Steele’s team.

Toohey qualified for the Division II state meet in the 800 by running a blazing 1:58.33 in the regional final. He finished third in the regional after winning the district championship. He was also the OVAC Class 3A champion in the two-lap race.

“Francis’ goals for himself were to set a school record in the 800 and qualify for the state meet as an individual and as a member of a relay,” Steele said. “He didn’t quite reach all of those goals, but he didn’t qualify for the state and get the school record. We will not only miss Francis’ leadership, but the positive attitude that he brought to practice each day.”

WYATT REIMAN, Shadyside – This senior was the area’s premier high jumper all season for Campbell’s Tigers.

Reiman cleared 6-8 at a juncture this season. He was the OVAC Class 1A/2A champion and won the Division III district. He finished second at the regional to qualify for the state meet for the second straight season.

“Wyatt was a mainstay for us,” Campbell said. “I knew I could count on him in any event. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, he’s the best athlete in the Ohio Valley and that I’ve ever coached. Everything was always effortless for Wyatt. He’s been an absolute joy to watch and coach the last four years.”

ANDREW OSMAN, Shadyside – This Tigers’ sophomore asserted himself as one of the premier pole vaulters in the area.

Osman advanced to the Division III state track meet for the second straight season after claiming the OVAC 1A/2A, district and regional championships. He soared over 14-feet this season.

“This year was really big for Andrew because (clearing) 14-feet is no easy task, and he’s done it multiple times as just a sophomore,” Campbell said. “Having him back for two more seasons with Coach Dave (Bonar) is going to make my life a lot easier. He’s an extremely hard worker and competitive athlete, who always want to win and that’s shown in his two seasons of vaulting.”

NATHAN BOOTH, Shadyside – This sophomore got better and better as the season went on for Coach Campbell’s team and it ended with him at the Division III state meet.

Booth’s premier event was the 110 high hurdles. He was the OVAC 1A/2A champion and then he claimed the Division III Eastern District title and was third in the regional to punch his state ticket.

“Nathan was probably our surprise this season,” Campbell said. “We had high expectations for him, but making it to the state meet was above and beyond any of those.”

KOOPER CHIMLEY, Shadyside – This junior had an impressive season for the Orange in both sprint events.

Chimley was a standout in the 400 meter dash where he won the OVAC 1A/2A title and advanced to the regional final. He was also the district champion in the event. He was part of the Tigers’ 4×1 that competed in the state meet.

“Kooper had a little bit of an up-and-down season, but he finished strong,” Campbell said. “He did a great job of understanding how to properly run his races and really grew as a competitor.”

PERRY PATRONE, St. Clairsville – This sophomore had a break-out season in the shot-put circle for Coach Tony Ciroli’s squad.

Patrone qualified for the Division II state meet for the first time. He got there after finishing second in the OVAC 4A meet, second in the district and second in the regional.

“Perry put in the extra effort this year to earn him the trip to the state meet,” Ciroli said. “He spent extra time with Coach (Moriah) Agnew, studied videos and stayed after practice. It was his persistence in his own improvement that allowed him to punch a ticket to state. I know he’s already preparing for next season.”

KARL KAIN, St. Clairsville – This junior pole vaulter was one of the top performers in his event all season for Coach Ciroli’s squad.

Kain was the OVAC 4A champion and Division II Eastern District champion. He was the runnerup in the regional to qualify for the state meet.

“Karl works hard both in and out of season,” Ciroli said. “I know this past season has left him hungry for more. I feel positive we’ll see some great results his senior season.”

GIRLS

JOSIE GOODSON, Union Local – This junior enjoyed a break-out campaign for the Jets and Coach McCrate.

Goodson shined in the 400 meter dash, dipping under the coveted 60-second barrier at the regional to earn her first trip to the state meet. She ran a 59.44 in the regional. She was the runnerup in that meet as well as the district. She was also second in the OVAC Class 4A meet and won the Buckeye 8 lap dash title.

“Josie is a very meticulous and devoted athlete,” Coach McCrate said. “She reached her goals of staying healthy and peaking at the regional meet this past season. I expect Jose’s goal would be to run under 59 seconds next year as a senior.”

ANNA YATER, Barnesville – The University of Dayton signee put the finishing touches on an impressive throwing career for Coach Mark Brown’s team.

Yater finished eighth in the Division III state meet in the shot put to earn her first All-Ohio finish. En route to Columbus, she was the OVAC Class 3A champion, district runnerup and regional champion. She was also the conference champion in the discus as well as a regional placer in the platter event.

“Anna was able to accomplish her goal of placing in the state meet,” Brown said. “She and our throws coach, Melissa Dodd, worked hard for four years and it paid off.”

MARAH BETHEL, Barnesville – This sophomore put forth another season to remember for the Shamrocks and Coach Brown.

Bethel, for the second straight season, qualified to the Division III state meet in the 800 meter run. She was the OVAC champion in that event and the conference runnerup in the 400 and bronze medalist in the 1600. She was the runnerup in the district and placed fourth in the regional to earn the trip to state.

“Marah had another good season,” Brown said. “She ran everything from the 200 to the 1600 and chose to concentrate on the 800 for the state meet. She fought through a late-season foot injury to make her second consecutive state meet.”

EMILY THOMPSON, St. Clairsville – This senior standout put the finishing touches on a brilliant prep career for Coach Ciroli’s team this spring.

Thompson shined in the pole vault where she earned All-Ohio acclaim for the third consecutive season. She soared over 12-feet this year to set a new school record. She was the Buckeye 8, OVAC and district champion before finishing fourth in the regional. At the state meet, she placed sixth.

“Emily finished out a great career,” Ciroli said. “She added events and was consistent in putting points on the board over her four years.”

EMMA HENRY, St. Clairsville – This Red Devil sophomore had a coming out party of sorts in the sprint events and never looked back.

Henry placed in the Division II state 100 and 200 meter dashes, placing fifth and sixth, respectively. She was the district champion in the 100 and runnerup in the 200. At the regional, she was second in the 100 and third in the 200. She won the OVAC 4A titles in both short sprints.

“Emma had an outstanding season,” Ciroli said. “Making it to the state meet had many benefits. She had a chance to experience it as a sophomore and she now knows what it takes and is going to take to achieve this level of (success). Her experience and knowledge that she gained this year will make her even tougher to beat next year.”

PAIGE GORBY, Shadyside – This senior was the area’s premier female long jumper and capped an impressive prep campaign for Coach Jenna Coyne’s Tigers.

Gorby was the OVAC champion in the event and she also won the district title before placing in the regional meet. She was also a key scorer for the Tigers in the sprints and on relays.

“Paige is the type of athlete every coach wants on her team,” Coyne said. “She works hard at practice and she makes others around her better just by being there. We’ll definitely miss her.”

KENZY BECKETT, Shadyside – This distance runner developed into one of the area’s most steady competitors.

Beckett was the OVAC Class 1A/2A champion in the 3200 meter run and finished second in the 1600. She was the district champion in the 3200 and finished third in the 1600 to qualify to the regional in both events. She finished eighth in the regional’s 3200 meter run.

“Kenzy was successful all season, but in many meets she would run fast enough to win,” Coyne said. “It wasn’t until the middle of the season that she actually started believing us, and seeing for herself, just how much potential she has left to unlock.”

KATELYN HART, Bellaire – This senior put forth another solid season in the discus circle for Valloric’s team.

Hart was the OVAC runnerup in the discus and then won the district title. She finished fifth in the regional, narrowly missing a berth in the state meet.

“Katelyn always had a good attitude and put forth her best effort,” Valloric said. “You really can’t ask for anything more out of an athlete.”

PAM KANDRACH, Buckeye Local – This Panthers’ sophomore did a little bit of everything for Coach Donnie Yeager’s squad this spring.

Primarily, however, it was in the throwing circle where she made her biggest impact. She reset her own school record with a toss of 39-1 in the shot put to advance to the regional meet.

She finished fifth in the discus at the regional and ninth in the shot. She was the OVAC runnerup in the shot and third in the discus, while finishing second in the MOVL in both throwing events.

“Pam’s work ethic is incredible,” Yeager said. “She rehabbed from a broken arm in basketball and had a season for the record books. She does whatever is asked of her and is one of those kids who can thrive in literally any situation.”