Photo credit: Shannon Eldreth

By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

The high school girls track and field preview for the Field Falcons’ 2023 season:

THE TEAM

Head Coach: Ed Conroy, 13th year.

Coaching Staff: James Dutched, Levi Miller, George Wetzel.

2022 Record: 6-1 dual meets; 2nd place Metro Athletic Conference; 6th at Salem District.

State Qualifiers: Emma Rotondo, shot put; Emily Davis, discus; Ali Morris, discus; Hannah Siudak, 100-meter hurdles and 300-meter hurdles.

Returning Letterwinners (8): Payton Slusser, sr.; Kristen Topeka, jr.; Savannah Rahe, jr.; Emma Norman, jr.; Leah Krieger, jr.; Michaela Herendeen, jr.; Julia Potts, jr.; Olivia Prof, soph.

Letterwinners Lost (12): Molly Roosa, Leah Snyder, Paige Barber, Emily Davis, Shelby Firth, Mallory Martin, Tessa Allison, Ali Morris, Emma Rotondo, Hannah Siudak, Heather Siudak, Rachel Ruggles.

Underclassmen to Watch: Maddie Adams, fresh.; Mollie Matthews, fresh.; Morgan Barber, fresh.; Nema McAmis, fresh.; Raegan Slusser, fresh.; Taryn Allen, soph.

TOP RETURNERS

Payton Slusser, senior: long jump, hurdles.

Emma Norman, junior: 100 meters, 4×100, 4×200.

Julia Potts, junior: 4×800, 1,600 meters.

Michaela Herendeen, junior: Discus, shot put.

Raegan Daugintis, junior: Discus, long jump.

Savannah Rahe, junior: long jump, 400 meters, 4×100.

Olivia Prof, sophomore: 100 meters, 200 meters, 4×100.

SEASON OUTLOOK

“I am very excited for how many young runners we have in the program,” Conroy said. “We have 16 new freshmen that are working hard. The upperclassmen are proving to be strong leaders and are excited to start competing.

“Lead runners from last year are Emma Norman and Savannah Rahe,” Conroy added. “Both girls are fantastic examples of hard work and dedication to the sport. I believe with a great deal of work, our team should finish in the upper half of all the teams in the MAC.”

Field graduated 15 girls from the 2022 team, with many having competed at the state level.

“I am very excited to start with a new group of girls — that with a great deal of work and dedication — should improve greatly throughout the season,” Conroy said.

SPRINTERS

The Falcons’ were the top of the Metro Athletic Conference last season with its 4×100 relay group of Mallory Martin, Tessa Allison, Shelby  Firth and Emma Norman.

Only Norman returns, however, as the other trio graduated.

“Thankfully, we have our anchor, Emma, to encourage the young runners to rebuild the relay,” sprints coach James Dutched said.

The hurdle events will also have a lot to replace, with Hannah Siudak, who finished second in the state in the 300 hurdles and tied a school record, has also graduated.

Newcomer freshman Nema McAmis is “showing promise and has a strong work ethic,” according to head coach Ed Conroy.

“Hopefully with a little experience she will help the team this year as a freshman,” Conroy said.

DISTANCE 

Another freshman, Maddie Adams, will also get a chance to be a leader from the start.

Adams will run the 800 and also help form the 4×400 and 4×800 relay teams.

“She is very determined,” Conroy said.

FIELD EVENTS

Junior Michaela Herendeen and freshman Mollie Matthews have both emerged as the top performers in the shot put.

“Micky has the experience and has worked hard in the weight room this past season,” throws coach George Wetzel said. “Mollie is a strong freshman that should contribute to the team’s points right from the start.”

In the discus event, throws coach Levi Miller has identified depth, but inexperience with his group.

“We are optimistic to see their improvement throughout the season,” Miller said. 

Raegan Daugintis returns after training alongside a pair of state qualifiers in her first two seasons.

SCHEDULE

April 4: at Woodridge

April 8: at Crestwood

April 11: at Streetsboro

April 15: at Marlington

April 18: vs. Ravenna

April 22: at Western Reserve Academy

April 25: vs. Cloverleaf, Coventry

April 28: vs. Crestwood, Kent Roosevelt, West Branch