New track, new season for Warriors

By Carol McIntire

Editor

Carrollton opened the 2022 track season March 29 on a new eight-lane track at Community Field and a much-improved view of the finish line.

When the track was installed in the summer of 2021, the finish line was moved from the south side of the track (visitor bleachers) and relocated to the north side at the west end of the home bleachers. 

“The life span of the track had run its course, and thanks to the diligent work of the administration – especially the late Ed Robinson and, with the help of Mark Spears and Rusty Grubbs, the project was a resounding success,” said Carrollton boys track coach Mike Aukerman. “The feedback from fans, parents, athletes and coaches has been one of constant praise. We are really excited to have it front and center  of the home bleachers. New fencing is to be constructed any day and that will add the finishing touches to a marvelous track setting! “

The Warriors opened the 2022 season and christened the new track by hosting the Marlington Dukes for an Eastern Buckeye Conference meet and Beaver Local in a non-league matchup .

The Lady Warriors cruised to a 74-46 win over Beaver Local and fell to Marlington 82-46. The boys team put together a complete team effort to slip past Beaver Local 66-60 but fell to the Dukes 94-33. 

Girls results – Beaver Local

Four athletes picked up multiple wins against the Beavers. Senior Josie Burgett won the 800 (2:39.3) and was a member of the winning 4×200 and 4×400 relay teams; junior Bri Shockey won the 100 (13.6) and was a member of the 4×200 and 4×100 relay teams; senior Erin King posted wins in the 400 (1:08.1) and was a member of the 4×200 and 4×400 relay teams; and junior Maddie Burgett claimed the 1,600 (6:14.7) and was a member of the 4×400 relay team.  Freshman Briana Amstutz won the discus in her first high school meet with a toss of 76-feet, 4.5 inches in the discus and junior Ellie Shafer’s distance of 29-1 in the shot was good enough for first place. Lucia Fonseca-Dolado rounded out the list of winners with a time of 13 minutes in the 3,200. 

Marlington

First place winners included Shockey in the 100, Maddie Burgett, 1600; Elizabeth Funkhouser, 300 hurdles (52.3); and King, 400. The winning  4×200 relay team (1:56.64) consisted of Elizabeth Potts, King, Shockey, and Josie Burgett.

Boys results -Beaver Local

The 4×800 relay of Andy Lane, Turner Eddy, Kobe Green, and Grayson Rodgers started the meet off right with a win in 10:38. Brock Smith continued the good vibes with a distance of 20 feet to win in the long jump. Logan Beaver won the discus with a distance of 121-7, Jacob Hatfield won the 400 (59.50) and Grayson Rodgers won the 3,200 (13:29). The foursome of Keegan Barkan, Denis Linhart, Ethan Harsh, and Nathan Baker finished the meet with a win in the 4×400 relay (3:59). 

Marlington

Brock Smith distance in the long jump was good enough to win the event against the Dukes and Logan Beaver’s distance in the discus stood up for a win. The 4×1 relay of  Smith, Zach Martin, Austin Colletti, and Nathan Baker turned in a time of 44.9 to win the 4×100. 

 “We had a lot of new faces trying different events and we were pleased with their efforts! It was a great day for a meet and our kids exceled. We are excited about the improvements we will continue to make,” stated Aukerman.