SD track and field building on recent success

Mar. 24—South Decatur's track and field teams will look to build on the recent success the team have seen. The Lady Cougars have won the Mid-Hoosier Conference team title the last two years. The Cougars won the conference in 2021 and were runner-up last season. South returns a total of 11 seniors, so leadership is solid for both the Lady Cougars and Cougars.

The Lady Cougars return senior Brayley Sundal, who was on the MHC winning 4x100 and 4x400 relay teams. Senior Clair Schoettmer returns in the sprints for South and was also part of the 4x100 relay team. Zoe Meer returns for the hurdles and throwing events.

Four juniors also return for the Lady Cougars. Kylie Best was All-MHC last year as a hurdler. Madison Danforth was All-MHC in the long jump. She finished second in the sectional, qualifying her for the regional. Hannah Gridley competes in the hurdles and long jump. Bernice Tooley is the lone junior distance runner.

Sophomore Brianna Benefield returns for the 1600 and 3200 for the Lady Cougars. Newcomers Andrea Brogan and Disaree Smith will also compete in the distance events.

"The girls freshman class will be strong, helping fill in sprints, distance and jumps. This is our biggest class of girls," Coach Bethany Fromer said.

Laney Seegers and Liz Bennett will run sprints and relays. Seegers will add depth in the long jump and Bennett will compete in the high jump. Brooklyn Ortman will run the 400 as well as hurdles. Kennedy Sundal will represent the Lady Cougars in the 200 and throwing events. Kenzie Troutman will also hurdle as well as be in the distance relays.

For the Cougars, All-MHC hurdler McKinley Shook returns and will also compete in the hurdles, 4x100 relay and high jump. Owen Arreola was a member of the MHC winning 4x100 relay team, runs sprints and competes in the long jump. Damon Gearheart and Deacon Cruser are returning throwers.

Campbell Johanningman adds to the Cougars' sprints and hurdles line-up. Conner Newby will concentrate on the 400. Donovan Hale returns to run the mile and two mile as well as the 4x800. Logan Wilkinson will also run the 4x800 and distance events.

Paul Schoettmer will fill in for South's throwers and Josh Winkler will compete in sprints.

Landon Martin is out for his first year as a junior and will sprint for the Cougars.

Just as for the Lady Cougars, the freshman class for the Cougars is showing up strong.

Dominick Benefiel will be a sprinter/hurdler and high jumper. Will Martin and Michael Nobbe will be strong hurdlers for both the 100 and the 300 hurdles. Nick Hunter is an All-MHC runner in cross country stepping on the track to run the relay, mile and two mile. Jayden Jackson-Day will be a strong freshman sprinter as well as Dalton Smith. Christopher Martin will throw both shot put and discus.

We are returning 11 total seniors both boys and girls teams. We have good leadership on the team to step up for the underclassman and new coming freshman.

We have already been at the track working hard to keep athletes in shape over spring break these last two weeks," Coach Fromer added. "Our senior class has stepped up to help lead the program and give the younger athletes encouragement."

South opens the track season April 2 against North Decatur and Rushville. South lone home meet is scheduled for April 9, which will also be Senior Night.

Contact Aaron Kirchoff at aaron.kirchoff@greensburgdailynews.com.