Wayne County high school boys cross country preview: Waynedale, Dalton, Smithville, Orrville

Waynedale’s boys cross country team was a fast finisher last season, peaking at the right time. The Golden Bears finished third in the Wayne County Athletic League but nearly matched that with a sixth-place finish in the state.

Smithville’s boys in many other leagues might have added a trophy to the school’s case a year ago. Instead, the Smithies were fighting to stay out of the bottom spot.

Dalton epitomized the toughness of the WCAL. The Bulldogs placed fourth in the conference, then finished fourth in the Division III Boardman Regional to grab a team berth in the state meet.

The following is a look at these three programs and Orrville and where they might head this year.

Waynedale

Led by a 16th-place finish in the Div. III state meet by then-junior Jackson Varner, a two-time All-Ohioan, the Golden Bears logged a top 10 finish in Ohio. Jaydon Varner, also a junior at the time, finished 43rd.

Their classmates, Wyatt Moore (90th) and Lucas Miller (110th), and current sophomores Sebastian Schmeltzer and Noah Schmeltzer also ran at the state meet, along with then-senior Nick St. John.

With all six state-tested runners back this year, there’s no telling what fourth-year coach Shauna Pittman’s group might do. Other letter-winners back include seniors Luke Lorentz and Braedon Lorentz and sophomore Weston Moore. The additions of sophomore Jack Holcomb and freshman Grayson Stiltner should fuel some intra-team competition.

“This season will be very similar to last year; however, I hope to see us a little stronger as the boys have grown,” Pittman said. “We are working hard mentally to help us reach the top WCAL position this year, but because this league is loaded with amazing talent, we will have to work extra hard again this season. We are hoping to get the chance to get back to state again this year.”

Pittman said her team may have depth unprecedented for the program, which could position Waynedale for a return to the WCAL top spot, which the Bears occupied two seasons ago.

Smithville

The Smithies were regional qualifiers a season ago, falling short of the state meet, in part because they were blocked by their own conference. Smithville finished fifth in the WCAL, which sent Rittman and Dalton to state in addition to Waynedale and produced an individual state champ in Rittman’s Luke Snyder. Norwayne, for good measure, was a regional qualifier in Div. II.

Smithville’s lone state qualifier Joey Clabaugh, who finished 12th in the big meet, has graduated, along with four other letter-winners. The loss of talent could make things challenging for 22nd-year coach Greg DeRodes.

The Smithies will rely heavily on youth. Four freshmen — Josiah Erdman, Grayson Duenki, Andrew Murray and Joshua Murray — will likely be in the starting lineup. Sophomore Nigel Winger, who finished 42nd at regionals last year, also should be part of that.

Smithville will certainly miss the likes of Brendon Bowman, Garrett Geiser, Gavin Martin and Sam Navratil, who all graduated along with Clabaugh.

“Our guys team is small in numbers but big in heart,” DeRodes said. “They work hard and encourage each other. We can’t wait to see what they can do this season.”

Dalton

The Bulldogs finished fourth at the Boardman Regional before going on to finish 16th among the 20 teams competing in the Div. III state meet.

Judah Hershberger, now a senior, led the Bulldogs at state with a 79th-place finish. Then-sophomores Cody Hofstetter, Holden Himes and Malachi Steiner all were among Dalton’s runners who competed at state.

Jacob Fink, Ely Hutson and Caleb Hofstetter all ran at state for Dalton but have all graduated after helping the Bulldogs to a fourth-place finish in the WCAL.

Orrville

The Red Riders had a solid season a year ago, placing third in the PAC, and they only saw one athlete graduate from that group. They return seniors Owen Lacy, Charlie Lorson, Rhys Coleman and Joel Harris and junior Jacob Crawford. Joining that bunch are junior newcomers Daniel Merino and Logan Lovette and sophomore Kenny Comito.

“This season we have five returning letter-winners that also have strong leadership,” Red Riders coach Elle Shumney said. “We also have added newcomers who are already experienced runners.

“The upperclassmen have great leadership and do a great job pushing the team to run faster and faster. They are a competitive group. If we can stay healthy, I anticipate the boys finishing in the top two this season.”