Hillsboro Boys Track & Field Preview

The Hillsboro track and field program is back in Division II, and though the competition will still be very tough, once the postseason rolls around, they should have a better chance to compete on an even playing field this season.

The boys program for the Indians will consist of seniors Anthony Anderson, Mackenzie Conlon, Brandon Elmore, Zach Middleton and Braden Wildey.

Head coach Bud Marsh is looking for those athletes and others to help lead the Indians back to the top of the South Central Ohio League, as that is the goal for not just the Indians, but every team in the SCOL this and every season.

“Our team leaders will be Mackenzie Conlon (110-meter, 300m hurdles), Anthony Anderson (100-meter, 200m, 400m, high jump), Braden Wildey (100-meter, 200m, 400m), Zach Middleton (distance), junior Luke Gallimore (100-meter, 200m, 400m), junior Jeremy Hayton (high jump), sophomore Austin Goolsby (pole vault, long jump, 110-meter hurdles), sophomore Jared Conn (shot put, discus) and Brandon Elmore (pole vault),” Marsh said.

Those athletes, and others, all have put in a good amount of work this offseason, which is something Coach Marsh believes will help his boys program this spring.

“I feel we had a very productive offseason,” he said. “Our numbers for conditioning increased, and most of our kids either participated in our conditioning program or were involved in a winter sport. We had six individuals qualify for the state indoor meet, and that says a lot for our kids. They are willing to put in the time in the offseason to make themselves and the team better.

“As in previous years, our goal is to be SCOL champs. The next goals are to advance to the regional meet and then qualifying for the state meet. Our expectations are to go out each day and work hard as a team, as we expect to encourage and motivate each other.

“As mentioned previously, we have high expectations for the team. We have roughly 30 kids out for track this year. There is a balance between the classes, which is different from previous years. This the second year with our track facilities, and I've seen the positive impact it has had on the program.”

The Indians, as mentioned before, are back in Division II which makes a lot of difference as the past couple years they were one of the smallest schools competing at the Division I level, going against schools much larger than Hillsboro.

“We will be participating in Division II this year, and I am especially happy for our seniors,” Marsh said. “Competing with schools that are three or four times bigger is difficult. We have several kids that have the potential to qualify for the state meet. Mackenzie Conlon is one of the top hurlers in our region. Austin Goolsby pole vaulted 15 feet this indoor season, and that puts him as one of the top vaulters in the state.

“We are expecting Braden Wildey to be one of the top sprinters in the area, and our 4X200m and 4X400m relays should be very competitive. We should be strong in sprinting and field events. Our distance events is the big question, but we do have Zach Middleton, Micah Pinney and Britton Haines all returning.

“Though we are young and inexperienced, the team is working hard and should be competitive toward the end of season.”