NEW WASHINGTON (Crawford County Now) — Seneca East has picked up where its boys track and field team left off last season.

“We’ve been doing pretty well, in some big meets against big teams,” head coach Ed Phillips said during the annual Buckeye Central Stache Dash here Friday.

“We’ve competed and coming together nicely. We’ve had some really good kids and were fifth in the state last year and lost some good seniors. Our guys that are back, some of the young guys, are stepping up. So we’re pleased with some of the times we’ve had, especially considering some of the conditions.”

The boys topped Carey 143.5-127.

Phillips said some of his younger kids are ahead of schedule.

“The whole group in general. We had one of the best distance groups last year. So the young guys, Nevin Holmes and Ayden Perkins, are our two best who are back,” Phillips said.

Brett Martin took first in the discus throw with a 149-feet, 5-inch effort. He also was best in the shot put at 44 feet, 9.5 inches.

Jaron Depinet was tops in the high jump at 6 feet. Collin Perry of Buckeye Central took third at 5-10.

Ethan Shultz set a record in the long jump going 21 feet, 1.25 inches to break an eight-year-old record.

The 4X800 meter relay has a senior, a junior and two sophomores.

“They just ran the best time of the year and that’s a good symbol of where we are. Field events, we have a lot of experience there and some depth. That’s one of the strengths.”

The near 80-degree temperatures and clear skies were welcomed by all competitors and coaches.

“It’s a good day to run track and not have to have four layers on,” Phillips said.

Buckeye Central girls coach Tracy Phillips took a moment from helping measure long jumps to talk about this year’s team.

“We’ve been battling with some injuries but hopefully getting everybody back strong when we need them. Our girls 4X800 and 4X400 are doing pretty well,” she said.

“Sam (Auck) is improving a lot in the two mile. Angela (Figueroa) is doing well in her events. Overall, we’re excited about seeing where it all ends up.”

Auck was fifth in 14:00.87.

Carey’s girls also are doing well, according to head coach Ryan Pratt.

“We are low in numbers with 18 on the roster, but talent-wise we’ve been able to win 4-5 events every invitational we’ve been to. We’ve got a core group of about 4-5 sprinters, a couple distance girls that are pretty awesome and a couple of throwers,” he said.

The 4X400 relay won with a time of 4:16.65, setting a meet record set by Carey in 2018. Buckeye Central finished second.

Only two seniors are on the Blue Devils roster.

Carey placed fourth in the 10-team event.

“It’s a well-rounded team. We’re having trouble with double scoring. It’s getting that second girl to score. Usually we have about 30 kids. We’re doing really good and are PRing as the season progresses.”

Pratt says adding the two divisions for a total of five changes things somewhat.

“We’ll be at Colonel Crawford for our district this year. Then we’ll be going east to see teams we don’t normally see.

“So possibly a few teams that are here — Willard, South Central, Plymouth. Plus, a couple bigger schools like Port Clinton. I think it does a lot for us.”

Mohawk boys coach Harley Shaum said his squad has started off well.

“We’ve had great success in distance, a group of guys who are absolutely crushing it. And a group of sprinters, our 4X100, 4X200, 4X800, are looking good,” he said.

“We’ve done the best we can with the weather we’ve had, but to be honest our invitationals have been in pretty nice weather.”

The Warrior seniors missed the meet due to their annual class trip.

“We’re missing them and got a few guys banged up. Not at full strength today but having the younger guys get a good race in,” Shaum said.

“I’m really looking forward to the end when we get everybody healthy and ready to go. We need our PRs at the end, not now.”

Willard took top honors in the girls division, edging Port Clinton 131-127. Full results at https://www.baumspage.com/track/buckeyecentral/041726/2026/results.htm