By SETH STASKEY

Times Leader Sports Editor

SHADYSIDE – Track and field has been a highly regarded sport at Shadyside High School for many years.

The 2022 version of the Tigers track and field teams should certainly be able to hold its own in most meets.

Head coaches Jeff Campbell (boys) and Jenna Coyne (girls) welcome back solid groups, including several athletes who competed in the state and/or regional meet last season.

BOYS

Campbell and his Tigers enjoyed an impressive season, winning the OVAC, MOVL, OVTL and finishing second in the Division III district meet.

Most importantly, they advanced two competitors to the state track meet, which was held at Westerville North.

“I’d be lying if I said our success (last season) didn’t come as a bit of a surprise,” Campbell said. “We started off pretty rough and everything really was pointing toward an average year, but our guys really turned things on, our coaches busted their rear ends and last year was one of the best we’ve had since I’ve been the head coach.”

The Tigers are “optimistic” as the new season kicks into full swing.

Leading the list of returnees is All-State pole vaulter Andrew Osman, who finished seventh in his specialty last spring.

Senior Wyatt Reiman, who competed at the Indoor State Meet earlier this month, is back in the high jump where he became a consistent 6-foot jumper and advanced to state.

Hurdles should be a strength for the Tigers with twin brothers Dylan and Nathan Booth there along with Osman.

The throwing circles is an area where the Tigers look solid with the likes of William Robinson, Andrew Brown, Zach Heslep and Colton Gorby.

In the long jump, Jayden Carmichael, Caden Nippert, Elijah Brock will get the call, while Kooper Chimley, who will be one of the top 400 runners around, will be in the high jump along with Dylan Bachie, Brock and Mark Waggoner.

Other pole vaulters with Osman are Ean Weatherson and Grant Miller.

On the track, Chimley will lead the sprint contingent.

In the distance races, Campbell pointed toward Landen Salgat and Holden Salgat. Others there are Jacob James, Alex Olack, Lee McKitrick and Matthew Kempter.

Other throwers on the squad are Gavin Bommer, Derrick Russell, Hayden Kappler and Nick Norris. Distance runners seeking time are Isaac Green, Lee McKitrick, Alex Olack and Kaiden Baker.

Others sprinters looking to make an impact are Jayden Carmichael, Caiden McCutcheon, Josh Harris, Karl Tsroas and Mason VanNest, who is doubling as a baseball player, too.

Campbell is being assisted by David Bonar, James Edwards, Alex Krupa, Zeke Merryman and Dante DeFelice.

GIRLS

The Tigers girls team has increased numbers and returns a solid core of athletes who scored well and several who advanced to the regional for Coyne’s team.

“We look to be a well-rounded team,” Coyne said. “Our sprinters outnumber our distance runners, but the distance runners that we do have are solid. We have a talented group of returning sprinters which will allow us to move them around where we need them, as well as freshman who had success in junior high.”

The Tigers will be led by defending regional long jump champion Paige Gorby. She was consistently over the 16-foot mark and competed at the state meet.

Other key returnees for the Tigers are Kenzy Beckett (distance), Kierstyn Elerick (hurdles, sprints) and Heather Good (sprints).

Two freshmen to keep an eye on in the sprints and hurdles are Mia Boatman and Shae Marling.

The balance of the roster includes: seniors Kayla Krya (sprints), Ellie Merryman (hurdles), junior Kira Nardo (sprints, hurdles), sophomores Allie Hawthorne (pole vault, distance), Jocelyn Moser (sprints, hurdles), Bella Roseberry (sprints), Addie Sims (distance), Kaelee Stewart (distance), freshmen Valerie Boltz (distance), Lizzie Brown (throws), Gianna Donaldson (throws), Ava Green (sprints), Reinna Jendrusik (throws) and Kendra Rosby (throws).

Coyne’s coaching staff includes: Brianna Johnson, Heidi McConn, Tara Yager, Ashley Visnic and Kameron Kubancik.