'Memorable' track season for first-year Redding

While first-year head coach Bruce Redding claimed that most of the members of the boys track team were just football players trying to be runners, the Orion squad finished with two very high points in the season, and two state qualifiers. 

At the postseason banquet last month, Redding thanked the boys for making it a “memorable season.”

Another first-timer Mike Gavin coached alongside Redding this year and said, “It was a fun experience and the support from the parents was a nice perk of the job.”

Gavin focused on coaching triple and long jumpers. Senior Matt Knoll confided in Gavin for support along the way to state this year.

Gavin couldn’t hold back a grin when asked about the season, and at the banquet, Redding talked of the ‘memorable’ season with a big smile.

The boys placed fourth out of seven teams at the Olympic Conference meet and fifth out of 18 teams at the IHSA sectional meet.

The Chargers came a long way from the beginning of the season, advancing from an inexperienced team to a well-run track program according to coach Gavin.

State qualifiers on the boys’ side included senior Matt Knoll, who qualified in both triple jump and long jump. He was named the Most Valuable Player this season. 

Knoll placed seventh overall at the IHSA?state meet in Charleston, claiming the first medal of his high school career. 

Junior Kennen Hutchison advanced to the state meet after finishing first at sectionals in the 400-meter run. 

Eric Heald, Riley Hohl, Zach Kahley, Trey Longnecker, Jeremy Myer, Shane Ranson, Kory Stiles, Taylor Peterson, Dylan Bridgewater, David Amlong, Steven Bainter, Kevin Miller, Tyler DeDecker, Zach Heiar, Kennen Hutchison, Luke Owens, Chris Schmidt, Matt Thor, Kory Armstrong, Matt Knoll and Brandon Larson were all members of the team.