A few members of the 2017 track team

by Ethan Cundiff

Oak Hills has dominated the sports world this year. The women’s soccer team, led by a senior core, made a run at the playoffs. The boy’s basketball team dominated with another great season. This spring season we can see some of the same success from the boy’s track team. The program has built up over the span of the past four years, and this year’s team is looking stronger than ever.

Talking about the team as a whole, coach Ben Hageman said, “There is a saying in sports that ‘it isn't as much about the X's and O's, but the Jimmy's and Joe’s.’ To be competitive in track and field, a team needs a lot of athletes. There are 8 individual races ranging from the 110m high hurdles to the 2 mile.  There are 4 relays races and five field events, ranging from pole vault to shot put. It takes a variety of athletes to build a successful team.”

The track team came into the season early with high hopes. They gained Robby Record, a total speedster who can make it far into the state competition. Record has been an essential addition to the team, improving the team’s record in many short running events.

“I've been able to learn a lot from the coaches, also the support of my friends and the team have made it easier to become the best runner I can be,” Record said on how he has been able to grow as a runner.

The team has dominance and versatility from top to bottom. This doesn’t just include the running events; there are impressive players in the throwing events, jumping and running.  

“The team is led by a core group of sprinters who have worked extremely hard through the off-season.  Robby Record (NKU Commit), Kyle Montag, Drew Fitzgibbon, and Tony Trame have been outstanding leaders in the weight room all off-season.  In addition, several cross-over athletes such as Ryan Batte, Cam Naber, Griffin Kain, and Michael Radcliffe will be significant contributors in the field events and mid-distance. Nathan Madden has been rock solid leading the throwers for the last 4 years and looks to have an outstanding senior year in the shot put.  Brad Weidner and Drew Toon look to build off the success they had in Cross Country,” Hageman added.

The coaches have made great improvements to the team and are very excited for the season and are looking to continue improve the team throughout the year. Mix that with a vast number of dominant players and some skillful newbies and you have a playoff bound team.

Senior Brad Weidner explained, “We will definitely be making a postseason run this year. We have our sights set high and state definitely isn't out of the question. We have been conditioning since as early as the end of November and the start of December.  All of our athletes are conditioned and ready to perform at the highest level. When the post season comes, we will be ready.”

Some key meets to watch are the Harrison Invitational on April 20 at the PAC and The Best of the West here at Oak Hills on May 4.