You would almost think that Nick Huggins and Ian Smith would be working on their golf swing at this time of the year.
That 6-foot-11 Jon Sewell would be practicing his drop step on the hardwood.
Or, that Colten Holdren would be playing soccer somewhere or on the Marietta High baseball team.
But no, these four Marietta High seniors are running track in their last hurrah as Tiger student-athletes.
Later this spring, they'll all of course be graduating.
Then, there's junior Matt McKitrick, one of the better athletes in the school, out for the team.
Things are certainly looking up for the Marietta boys track and field program.
And, MHS boys head coach B.J. Mayer couldn't be more pleased with the turnout this season - not only of the four aforementioned seniors and junior, who he probably didn't expect to see, but in general. Overall, the Tiger boss and his assistant Michael Schafer will be working with 49 thinclads.
Needless to say, they have a lot of options, and overall depth.
"I've been at the helm for 11 years, and that's the most I've ever had come out for the team," said Mayer, whose Tigers were third in the Southeastern Ohio Athletic League last season. "We've just got to get out and after it. I'm really looking forward to this season."
For the most part, high school coaches actually like it when their athletes participate in more than one sport, especially if it's in track and field.
In track, the most obvious benefit is the conditioning. To be competitive, you'd better be in great shape.
But not only that, athletes get a different perspective on the meaning of team sports. It's one thing in football or basketball for example to be able to rely on your teammates for a block or screen, but it's a quite another in track when you're all alone out there on a distance run or making a throw. In many ways, you're competing with yourself, instead of an opponent, to better your time or jump or whatever to help the team.
So, how are Huggins, Smith, Sewell, Holdren and McKitrick going to help the Marietta track and field team?
As it looks now, Huggins, an All-Ohio honoree in golf last fall, will be in distance runs.
Smith, another standout golfer, will be in sprints and relays.
Sewell, who was very instrumental in the Tiger basketball team's success this past winter, will probably be doing throws.
Holdren, an all-league goalie on the very successful MHS soccer team in the fall and a starting third baseman last spring, is going to get a shot at pole vaulting and sprints.
McKitrick looks like a runner, which he was on last fall's Tiger football team.
He could be a dandy sprinter and a member of a relay team.
All figure to help the Tigers in some event this spring.
Ron Johnston is the Marietta Times sports editor and can be reached at 376-5441 or rjohnston@mariettatimes.com
