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Countdown reaches halfway point with #101-110

VaselineJuly 11, 2024

0 4 minutes read

Countdown reaches halfway point with #101-110

MANSFIELD — Welcome to the centerpiece of the 2024 Richland 200 list.

With this edition, we will officially reach 100 athletes in our annual summer countdown, recognizing some of Richland County’s best returning athletes.

Let’s meet numbers 101-110 in preparation for the Top 100.

101. Baylee Black, Ontario

As a junior, Black had a strong showing at the Division II regional cross country meet, placing 32nd overall with a 20:30.60. While she didn’t qualify for the state meet, there’s just something special about Black as a runner. She just goes about her business and lets her running do the work, and during her senior year, it’s going to mean a lot, even if she doesn’t.

102. Katrina Rogers, Clear Fork

Rogers had a stellar junior softball season, earning honorable mention All-Northwest District and first team All-Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference as she led the Colts to a league championship. She batted .386 with 32 hits, eight home runs, 37 RBIs and 29 runs scored in what was a monster season for her to build upon. Unfortunately, she tore her ACL this summer in preparation for a stellar basketball season, but she should be healed in time to return to the softball field to help the Colts make a run at another conference title.

103. Anthony Fanello, Lucas

Fanello is a newcomer to the Richland 200, as his breakthrough season in baseball was celebrated with a second-team All-District 9 and a first-team All-Mid-Buckeye Conference nod. He batted .328 with 20 hits, three doubles, a triple, 11 RBIs and 18 runs scored. Fanello will return in 2025 to help the Cubs return to the top of the MBC and finish his career with another league championship.

104. Jack DiBartolomeo, Lucas

The reigning News Journal Small School Pitcher of the Year was something special in 2024. Earning honorable mention All-District 9 and first team All-MBC, DiBartolomeo went 5-2 with a save and a 2.24 earned run average. He struck out 73 batters in 43 ⅔ innings of work. He also batted .306 with 22 hits, 15 RBIs and 11 runs scored during his sophomore season. It will be exciting to see what this kid brings to the mound over the next two years as he helps the Cubs stay in the race for league championships.

105. Kyeona Myers, Mansfield senior

Mansfield Senior girls basketball has entered a new era and it’s the Myers era. After graduating a bunch of seniors from last year’s 20-win team, the Tygers are now officially Myers’ team and it couldn’t be in better hands. She earned honorable mention in the Northwest District, District 6 and the Ohio Cardinal Conference after averaging 8.8 points, four rebounds, 2.2 assists and 3.2 steals during her sophomore campaign. Now, Myers will be the No. 1 option and the Tygers shouldn’t miss a beat. She’s a smooth left-hander with a silky smooth jumper and an ability to get to the rim with ease. She’s going to have a great year on the hardwood.

106. Chandler Ball, Clear Fork

Ball was an unsung hero of the Colts’ postseason baseball run that took them to the regional semifinals. He batted .333 with 27 hits, nine doubles, two triples, two home runs, 27 RBIs and 20 runs scored, but it was his willingness to do what his team needed during a run to a district championship that stood out. He made several sacrifice bunts and rolled up some ground balls to move runners that put his team in great positions to do some damage. He was an honorable mention All-District 9 and second-team All-Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference player who will earn even more in 2025.

107. Megan Them, Mansfield Christian

Them had a breakthrough junior season in cross country and track. She placed 70th at the state cross country meet with a time of 20:09.80 and eighth at the regional meet in the 3,200 meters and while she may have missed state in track, she will be back for her senior year ready to gain some momentum this fall that could carry her into track season and possibly a double state qualifying year.

108. Izzy Wamsley, Madison

Wamsley burst onto the softball scene here in Richland County with a stellar freshman season. She was second on the team with a .436 batting average, but led the team with 44 hits. She had two doubles, three triples, 12 RBIs and 30 runs as the No. 2 batter in the lineup and started every game at shortstop. The freshman proved that she is going to be one of the best players in Richland County over the next three years and her progress will be worth watching. She was an honorable mention All-Northwest District and second team All-Ohio Cardinal Conference honoree, but all-state honorees are definitely in her future.

109. Philip Etzel, Lexington

Etzel had a great freshman tennis season for Lex. He was a member of the second Ohio Cardinal Conference double championship team and was a district qualifying singles player who even earned a victory in the tournament. The Minutemen continue to produce top tennis players and Etzel will be a big name for the next three years as he works to continue the legacy started by his brother, Karl.

110. Princess Timko, Shelby

As a sophomore, Timko helped the Shelby 4×100-meter relay team to the ninth-fastest provisional time in all of Division II with a 49.54. Had the state meet been held at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium as normal, the quartet of Timko, Peyton Putnam, Madison Henkel and Jaleeza Zehner would have had a shot at an All-Ohio berth, but with Dayton only having an eight-lane track, only the Top 8 advanced to the finals. With Putnam and Zehner graduating, Timko and Henkel will have to recruit new runners for their relay team, but expect Timko to excel as an individual sprinter as well. The kid is fast.

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VaselineJuly 11, 2024

0 4 minutes read