By Bill Bray
FREMONT – To regional qualifiers lead this year’s crop of thinclads for the Fremont Ross boys track and field team.
Anthony Vann, back for his junior season, was a regional qualifier in the high jump a year ago and fellow junior Easton Silva made a trip to regionals after qualifying in the pole vault.
Seniors returning looking to compete Zach Glotzbecker (distance), Semaj Kemp (sprints), Alex Menkhoff (throws), Bowen Schoch (sprints), Andrew Taylor (sprints/pole vault), Malakai Griffin (sprints). Schoch, Taylor and Griffin are out for the first time.
Veteran Ethan Green, coming off a state championship in wrestling is returning to the throws ring after missing most of last season with a knee injury. LaBronze Barnett (sprints/long jump), Kanye Vielma (throws) are also returning seniors.
“We are counting on Glotzbecker to be our 3200m runner,” coach John Elder said. “Kemp was our lead off leg in the sprint relays last season. Menkhoff is right behind Ethan Green in the discus. We will be curious to see how our new seniors perform.”
There are high hopes for Vann in the high jump this season. “Anthony is looking very good in preseason drills,” Elder continued. “The same can be said for Easton Silva as he has been vaulting all winter so should be ready to go.”
“Ethan (Green) did not throw last year due to a knee injury, so we are expecting him to be good to go and to give us some big throws. He last competed as a freshman and was league champ in the discus in 2019.”
Another athlete expected to help in the jumps and sprints is Ricky Howard. Last year he ended up being injured and didn’t have the year he expected according to Elder. Also, Michael Patterson is expected to be a big part of the sprints, especially the 400.
A few newcomers in 2022 and expected to help are Jadrian Brown and Jadarius Moncrief in the sprints. Also, Carter Rodriguez in the distance events. Also expected to help is Evan Beardmore in the 400/800m.
Right now, Fremont’s top cross-country runner, Will Kiser, is out with a knee injury and Elder is not sure when he will be back.
Last season or throws coach, Travis Bates, had some young throwers to go with Green and Menkhoff. Elder is hoping to see steady development from throwers Mason Villarreal, Gabe Elder, Jabari Heidelburg
The team opens Saturday, April 2nd at Upper Arlington.