Harrison Central boys place second at Dawes Invitational

As the 2026 track and field season gains momentum, standout performances across the Ohio Valley are beginning to take shape, with athletes establishing themselves among the fastest runners, highest jumpers and top throwers.

At the annual Gloria Dawes Invitational April 10 at Union Local, one of the most anticipated events was the boys 100-meter dash. The third heat featured three of the area’s top sprinters: Jacob Quito of Harrison Central, Brett Worrels of Edison and Kolton Blackman of Union Local.

Quito remained undefeated on the season, winning the race, followed by Worrels in second and Blackman in fourth.

“It was a good feeling to run against very fast and talented runners in Kolton and Brett,” Quito said. “They definitely pushed me to run harder and faster than I have so far. I look forward to running against them again.”

Quito also won the 200-meter dash in 22.77 and helped lead Harrison Central to victories in the 4x200 relay (1:33.51) and 4x400 relay (3:35.67) alongside Beau Rinkes, Brady Hyre and Triston Cole.

Additional top finishes for the Huskies boys included Dylan Walter in shot put, Triston Cole in high jump and Trenten Allison in pole vault.

Harrison Central finished second as a team with 146 points, behind Edison with 159. Union Local placed third with 119.

For the girls, Harrison Central placed fifth with 52 points. Notable performances included Lillianne Smith, who won the discus, and the 4x800 relay team of Emili Cope, Aubree Coffman, Hannah Grady and Zoe Whipkey, which placed second in 12:41.74. Teagan Parks added a second-place finish in pole vault.

“We had some good performances at the meet,” Harrison Central girls coach Ty Kenny said. “I am proud of our kids for competing as well as they did.”

Kenny said he looks forward to upcoming home meets and expects to have a full lineup returning from injuries and illness.

In boys events, Quito won the 100-meter dash in 11.38 and the 200-meter dash, while Hyre finished second in the 200. Cole placed second in the 400, and Noah Thaxton was second in the 800 and third in the 1,600.

Rinkes placed second in the 110 hurdles, and the 4x100 relay team of Hunter Fulton, Jaden Harris, Chaz Culbertson and Chase Byers finished second.

In field events, Allison won the pole vault at 12-0, Byers was second, and Cole tied for first in high jump at 5-6. Walter won the shot put, while Nate Dulkoski placed third in discus.

For the girls, Cope placed third in the 800, while Parks finished fifth in the 100 hurdles. The 4x100 relay team placed fourth, and the 4x400 team finished fifth.

Team standings for the girls were Edison first with 158.5 points, followed by Union Local, New Lexington, River and Harrison Central.

The Huskies continue their season with two home meets this week.