Eagles Boys Track And Field Team Returns Veteran Experience
2021-22 Holden Eagles Track And Field Team… Pictured is this year’s Holden high school boys track and field team, front row, left to right, Wyatt Doutt, Garrett Abel, Brian Johnson, and Michael Rinella; second row, Carson Agcopra, Keyghin Orcutt, Carson Moreno, Sam Comer, Lukas Hunt, Wally Walker, and Cole Zillner; third row, Jayden Ring, Caleb Koehn, Rett Hankins, Kasyn Tevis, Austin Harris, Tyler Stewart, and Josh Taylor; fourth row, Trent Stout, Dylan Malkmus, Marshall Doogs, Masyn Powell, Ethan Rice, Caleb Zeller, and Sauren Folson; fifth row, Schuyler Anstine, Jacob Andes, Reco Jenkins, Tyler Hankins, Daniel Mailath, and Zach Willis; back row, head coach David Diener, and assistant coaches Ashley Perman, Mark Weddle, Kim Hankins, Dan Conner, Griffin Keller, and Dale Wescott. Photo by Wayne Griffin
Success and experience displayed last season by upperclass team members on this year’s Eagle boys track and field team, combined with a talented crop of incoming freshmen bodes well as first-year head coach David Diener surveys the approaching season.
Three team members advanced to the sectional track meet last season, and return this year to a team that boasts a roster of 31 members.
Preseason practices began under clear blue skies, and moderate temperatures with a slight road bump last week due to a snowstorm.
“The first week was great, because we were able to get outside, and start getting athletes’ legs undearneath them with good outdoor work,” said coach Diener. “Track shape is different shape than what these athletes have been used to with winter sports, so we had a good chance to get a lot of athletes work that can only be replicated on the track itself, and not in hallways. It has also allowed for our throwers to get a jump start as we had many PRs (personal records) in just the opening practice throws.”
Missing from this year’s the team due to graduation is Tanner Atkins who competed in middle distance races, and jumping events last year.
Seniors stepping up to serve as team elders this season include Garrett Abel, Wyatt Doutt, Brian Johnson, and Michael Rinella.
Johnson earned a fourth-place all-district finish in the 400m dash last year to advance to the sectional meet where he placed seventh.
Rinella is coming off of a cross country season in which he earned a top-10 all-conference medal.
Junior Tyler Hankins returns after competing at the sectional meet in the pole vault last season.
Junior Zach Willis returns for his junior season after turning in a PR time for a sixth-place finish in the 3200m run at last year’s district meet. This past fall, Willis won the individual championship at the MRVC-East cross country meet, and qualified for the cross country state meet.
Juniors Conner McQuery, Keyghin Orcutt, and Wally Walker also return with experience from last season in various events.
Returning sophomores include Marshall Doogs, Lukas Hunt, Reco Jenkins, Carson Moreno, and Masyn Powell.
Powell gathered all-conference, and all-district finishes in both the 110m hurdles, and the 300m hurdles during his freshman season.
“Masyn Powell in the 100m hurdles, and the 300m hurdles made it to sectionals last year,” highlights coach Diener when identifying athletes who are likely to stand out this season. “Tyler Hankins made it to sectionals last year in pole vault. Brian Johnson in the 400m also made it to sectionals. I expect Garrett Abel to have a good senior year in his throwing events.
“Junior Zach Willis and freshman Rett Hankins are coming off of a state-qualifying cross country season. That will put competitive times down in the 1600 meters, and the 3200 meters. Michael Rinella is off to a great first week with some good 400, and 800 workout times,” continued coach Diener. “Masyn Powell and Danny Mailath are going to be good hurdlers this year. Tyler Hankins will be a competitor at pole vault, and then we have a strong group of throwers led by senior Garrett Abel and junior Keygin Orcutt.”
A large group of 15 fledgling freshmen join the track and field nest this season.
The assistant coaches joining coach Diener this season include sprinters coaches Griffin Keller and Dan Conner; throwers coaches Mark Weddle, Ashley Perman, and Luke Litrell; pole vault coach Kim Hankins; and jumpers coach Dale Wescott. Coach Diener will focus on guiding the middle distance runners.
Former head coach Spencer Gudde, who guided the Holden high school track and field teams for nine seasons returns this year as an assistant coach, and will work with the hurdlers as he is in the midst of his second school year serving as the Holden R-3 Activities Director.
Coach Diener likes the group of collective talent on this year’s track and field team, and looks forward to the process of developing that talent.
“What is exciting to me this most is to see the team progress throughout the season,” says coach Diener. “There are many returners that have experienced success who will be supported by some young talented sophomores and freshmen, in both the girls and guys events. I think that once we have had some meets, and athletes really find how they fit to help our team the best, we will have a competitive overall team.”
The first meet for the Holden high school track and field teams is set for this coming Monday, March 21 when the teams will compete at the UCM Indoor Relays in Warrensburg.
