ASHLAND — Mount Vernon senior Erich Rhodenback was selected the Ohio Cardinal Conference Male Athlete of the Year at Friday night’s league meet in Ashland.
Rhodenback won the 110-meter hurdles in 14.32 seconds, the 300-meter hurdles (38.55), the long jump (20 feet, 11.5 inches), and was third in the high jump at 5-foot, 10 inches.
“I could have done better. My high jump was not good today,” Rhodeback said. “For me it’s about confidence. I know I can do better. I just haven’t yet.”
Rhodenback helped the Yellow Jackets finish runner-up on the boys’ side. Ashland won with 143 points, followed by Mount Vernon at 129, West Holmes (94), Lexington (90), Wooster (75), Mansfield Senior (74), and Madison (50).
Three Madison girls track members earned top honors while spearheading the Rams to the OCC crown.
Madison was paced by senior Keri Eckenwiler and freshman Nevaeh Lewis. Eckenwiler was chosen Female Athlete of the Year, while Lewis earned the Female Runner of the Year honor. Rams’ pilot Andrew Saris was chosen the Female Coach of the Year.
Eckenwiler won the 100-meter hurdles (15.46), 300-meter hurdles (47.27), long jump (16 feet, 9.5 inches), and ran a leg on the champion 4×200-meter relay (1:45.70). Lewis won the 100-meter dash (12.47), 200-meter dash (26.31), 400-meter dash (59.68), and anchored the title-winning 4×400-meter relay (59.68).
Rams’ senior Kami Baker won the discus with a toss of 120 feet, 4 inches.
Madison topped the standings with 172.5 points. Lexington took runner-up honors at 140.5. Wooster was third at 93, followed by Ashland at 89, West Holmes )78.5_, and Mount Vernon (76.5).
On the boys’ side, Ashland senior Dylan Hickey pocketed Male Runner of the Year honors, and mentor Dan Fuller was chosen the Coach of the Year in leading the Arrows to the league crown.
Hickey won the 800-meter run (1:59.54), 1,600-meter run (4:36.78), the 3,200-meter run (10:01.99), and anchored the Arrows’ championship 4×400-meter relay squad (3:34.36).
Ashland sophomore Colton Johnson topped the 100-meter dash (11.04) and senior Josh Hawley was first in the 400-meter run (51.99).
Complete results of this meet can be found at Baumspage.com.
The individual award winners were:
Male Runner: Dylan Hickey, senior, Ashland.
Female Runner: Nevaeh Lewis, freshman, Madison.
Male Athlete: Erich Rhodenback, senior, Mount Vernon.
Female Athlete: Keri Eckenwiler, senior, Madison.
Male Field Athlete: Layne Graham, senior, West Holmes.
Female Field Athlete: Cassidy Brown, senior, Wooster.
Male Coach: Dan Fuller, Ashland.
Female Coach: Andrew Saris, Madison.
