Sophomores lead Smithville boys track's growth

The Smithville boys and girls track and field teams will kick off their bids for state with district action in Division V May 21 at Cuyahoga Heights High School. Locally, the Smithies will be joined by Central Christian, Dalton, Hillsdale, Loudonville and the Rittman girls as districts start with prelims and some finals May 21 and just finals May 23.

For the Smithville boys, a team buoyed by its large sophomore class, the focus has been on continued growth and fighting for each other. Along the way, kids have settled into their roles on the team, and it’s allowed for growth as the team looks to be peaking at the right time.

“We knew coming in that it was going to look a lot different than last year because we lost so much in that senior class,” said Smithies coach Kirstie Mahas. “It’s been really fun to watch them come together as a team and figure out what their team dynamic is going to be now that they don’t have all those upperclassmen to rely on.”

The two seniors the team does have, though, Mason Haines and Nathan Horst, both throwers, have proven to be indispensable as they set the pace for the squad. Sometimes it’s been stepping onto the track, and most times, it’s been about giving the team some much-needed help in throwing events.

“They have a more lighthearted and relaxed version of leadership, which is good, as it offsets some of the intensity that we can have,” said Mahas. “There is this give and take where they know we need to buckle down. Fun and games can be good for the moment, but at some points, we need to get ourselves serious. Finding that balance, being able to have fun and working toward our goals is something the guys have really been able to do.”

Still, the biggest component of the team this spring has been its group of sophomores, which continues to scratch the surface of what could be. It’s something that has Mahas excited for what’s to come.

“They are a great group of guys," she said. "They work super hard and have the desire to always do their best. That pushes them and helps set the tone for the rest of the team. There is that core group of sophomores that we watched develop this year, saw their confidence grow and just how they have worked with our upperclassmen. That creates a really positive culture on the team.

“It’s been awesome to watch that development process happen for the guys.”

Some of the names that come to mind are Nigel Wenger, Isaiah Lee, Kalen Indermuhle, Grayson Wenger, Chase McFarlin and Nick Raudabaugh. Their continued development from last year, strong work ethics and willingness to do whatever the team needs have been central to the squad this spring.

For some, it’s been about building off of last year, and for others, it’s been about embracing roles that maybe they weren’t expecting. It all came together nicely, and because of it, the team is ready to put the pedal to the metal.

“That’s always the exciting part,” said Mahas. “When you have a group that comes through that has the desire to work hard, has the right work ethic, has the right mentality — you know they could really do some special things. This sophomore class has a great core of kids.

“They bring everybody up, and that’s the cool part. They're like, ‘Hey, we’re a team. We’re going to help bring everyone else up, and we’re going to push ourselves along the way.’ They're making our program so much more successful, too, and I am really hoping it’s going to be a fun, exciting ride for the next couple of seasons.”

As for the mindset with the start of the OHSAA tournament with districts and regionals upcoming, for Mahas, it’s a simple message, one that’s internally driven, with the focus on themselves.

“Control what we can control, and that’s our performances,” she said. “Don’t let the outside noise and pressures get to us. Just go out there, compete hard and do our best. If we do that, regardless if we’re able to move on or not, we can be proud of what we’ve accomplished up to this point.”