SportsPreview
The biggest question facing every WNBA team in training camp
WNBA training camps open with key questions for each team.
ESPN News1 min read
Sports
Hillsdale and Jonesville track teams earn top three at Invites
TL;DR
The Hillsdale and Jonesville track teams achieved top three finishes at recent invitationals, showcasing their competitive strength in the sport.
Reading baseball and softball plays a doubleheader against Stockbridge in early 2026 Big 8 conference action.
Gavin Wright with a base hit.
Reading center fielder Keven Denison.
Dominic Badgley doubles on a fly ball to left field.
Kaden Ervans scores a run for Reading.
Reading center fielder Keven Denison.
Reading center fielder Keven Denison.
Reading center fielder Keven Denison.
Dominic Badgley scores a run after a line drive from Angler Riddle.
Angler Riddle attempts to steal second base.
Dayton Verity singles on a ground ball.
Reid Westfall bunts into a fielder's choice.
Reid Westfall runs safely into first base.
Angler Riddle is tagged out at home.
Ranger athletes head out into the field.
Reading coach Devin Marquart talks to a Ranger athlete in-between innings.
A Reading athlete celebrates a birthday on gameday with the Ranger baseball team.
Reading pitcher Chase Anderson had five strikeouts in reliever duties.
Chase Anderson strikes out two Sotckbridge batters in a row in the bottom of the fifth inning during Reading's late-game rally.
Anderson celebrates a strong finish to an inning with teammates.
Ranger Mckenzey Penza at bat against Stockbridge.
Ranger Mckenzey Penza at bat against Stockbridge.
Ranger Savannah McDonald awaits a play at second base in the first game of a doubleheader.
Reading junior Leah Headley in the circle for the Rangers.
Madelyn Farkas plays at shortstop in game No. 2 against Stockbridge.
Emma Gerth catches the second game of the Stockbridge doubleheader.
Reading baseball and softball plays a doubleheader against Stockbridge in early 2026 Big 8 conference action.
Reading baseball and softball plays a doubleheader against Stockbridge in early 2026 Big 8 conference action.
Mckenzey Pena makes the play at first on a hard throw after an infield hit.
Mckenzey Pena makes the play at first on a challenging throw after an infield hit.
Jordyn Mapes scored the Ranger's lone run in the second game against the Panthers.
Savannah McDonald at-bat for the Reading Rangers.
Madelyn Farkas looks to advance teammate Jordyn Mapes to second base.
Jazzelle Hassenzahl earns asingle-base hit.
Jordyn Mapes steals home to score Reading's run against Stockbridge.
Jazzelle Hassenzahl is walked by the Stockbridge pitcher in the third inning.
Peyton Williams at bat for the Reading varsity softball team.
Madison Nakata awaits her turn at-bat for Reading in game action against Stockbridge.
Jazzelle Hassenzahl gets called out at third base.
Jazzelle Hassenzahl talks to a Reading coach during game action against Stockbridge.
1 / 40
Reading baseball, softball face Stockbridge in early season action
Reading baseball and softball plays a doubleheader against Stockbridge in early 2026 Big 8 conference action.
1 / 40
Reading baseball, softball face Stockbridge in early season action
Reading baseball and softball plays a doubleheader against Stockbridge in early 2026 Big 8 conference action.
2 / 40
Reading baseball, softball face Stockbridge in early season action
Gavin Wright with a base hit.
3 / 40
Reading baseball, softball face Stockbridge in early season action
Reading center fielder Keven Denison.
4 / 40
Reading baseball, softball face Stockbridge in early season action
Dominic Badgley doubles on a fly ball to left field.
5 / 40
Reading baseball, softball face Stockbridge in early season action
Kaden Ervans scores a run for Reading.
6 / 40
Reading baseball, softball face Stockbridge in early season action
Reading center fielder Keven Denison.
7 / 40
Reading baseball, softball face Stockbridge in early season action
Reading center fielder Keven Denison.
8 / 40
Reading baseball, softball face Stockbridge in early season action
Reading center fielder Keven Denison.
9 / 40
Reading baseball, softball face Stockbridge in early season action
Dominic Badgley scores a run after a line drive from Angler Riddle.
10 / 40
Reading baseball, softball face Stockbridge in early season action
Angler Riddle attempts to steal second base.
11 / 40
Reading baseball, softball face Stockbridge in early season action
Dayton Verity singles on a ground ball.
12 / 40
Reading baseball, softball face Stockbridge in early season action
Reid Westfall bunts into a fielder's choice.
13 / 40
Reading baseball, softball face Stockbridge in early season action
Reid Westfall runs safely into first base.
14 / 40
Reading baseball, softball face Stockbridge in early season action
Angler Riddle is tagged out at home.
15 / 40
Reading baseball, softball face Stockbridge in early season action
Ranger athletes head out into the field.
16 / 40
Reading baseball, softball face Stockbridge in early season action
Reading coach Devin Marquart talks to a Ranger athlete in-between innings.
17 / 40
Reading baseball, softball face Stockbridge in early season action
A Reading athlete celebrates a birthday on gameday with the Ranger baseball team.
18 / 40
Reading baseball, softball face Stockbridge in early season action
Reading pitcher Chase Anderson had five strikeouts in reliever duties.
19 / 40
Reading baseball, softball face Stockbridge in early season action
Chase Anderson strikes out two Sotckbridge batters in a row in the bottom of the fifth inning during Reading's late-game rally.
20 / 40
Reading baseball, softball face Stockbridge in early season action
Anderson celebrates a strong finish to an inning with teammates.
21 / 40
Reading baseball, softball face Stockbridge in early season action
Ranger Mckenzey Penza at bat against Stockbridge.
22 / 40
Reading baseball, softball face Stockbridge in early season action
Ranger Mckenzey Penza at bat against Stockbridge.
23 / 40
Reading baseball, softball face Stockbridge in early season action
Ranger Savannah McDonald awaits a play at second base in the first game of a doubleheader.
24 / 40
Leah Headley leads early softball results with three wins, no-hitter
Reading junior Leah Headley in the circle for the Rangers.
25 / 40
Reading baseball, softball face Stockbridge in early season action
Madelyn Farkas plays at shortstop in game No. 2 against Stockbridge.
26 / 40
Reading baseball, softball face Stockbridge in early season action
Emma Gerth catches the second game of the Stockbridge doubleheader.
27 / 40
Reading baseball, softball face Stockbridge in early season action
Reading baseball and softball plays a doubleheader against Stockbridge in early 2026 Big 8 conference action.
28 / 40
Reading baseball, softball face Stockbridge in early season action
Reading baseball and softball plays a doubleheader against Stockbridge in early 2026 Big 8 conference action.
29 / 40
Reading baseball, softball face Stockbridge in early season action
Mckenzey Pena makes the play at first on a hard throw after an infield hit.
30 / 40
Reading baseball, softball face Stockbridge in early season action
Mckenzey Pena makes the play at first on a challenging throw after an infield hit.
31 / 40
Reading baseball, softball face Stockbridge in early season action
Jordyn Mapes scored the Ranger's lone run in the second game against the Panthers.
32 / 40
Reading baseball, softball face Stockbridge in early season action
Savannah McDonald at-bat for the Reading Rangers.
33 / 40
Reading baseball, softball face Stockbridge in early season action
Madelyn Farkas looks to advance teammate Jordyn Mapes to second base.
34 / 40
Reading baseball, softball face Stockbridge in early season action
Jazzelle Hassenzahl earns asingle-base hit.
35 / 40
Reading baseball, softball face Stockbridge in early season action
Jordyn Mapes steals home to score Reading's run against Stockbridge.
36 / 40
Reading baseball, softball face Stockbridge in early season action
Jazzelle Hassenzahl is walked by the Stockbridge pitcher in the third inning.
37 / 40
Reading baseball, softball face Stockbridge in early season action
Peyton Williams at bat for the Reading varsity softball team.
38 / 40
Reading baseball, softball face Stockbridge in early season action
Madison Nakata awaits her turn at-bat for Reading in game action against Stockbridge.
39 / 40
Reading baseball, softball face Stockbridge in early season action
Jazzelle Hassenzahl gets called out at third base.
40 / 40
Reading baseball, softball face Stockbridge in early season action
Jazzelle Hassenzahl talks to a Reading coach during game action against Stockbridge.
ILLSDALE COUNTY — Hillsdale County track and field athletes wasted little time making an impact this spring, producing strong early results despite inclement weather affecting the opening weeks of the season.
Several teams took advantage of early-season invitations and crossover meets, while others logged their first head-to-head competitions of April. Across the county, athletes posted personal bests, relay wins and individual victories as teams eased into the 2026 spring schedule.
More: Leah Headley leads early softball results with three wins, no-hitter
Below is a recap of notable performances through April 11, broken down by school. Also included are the top early-season performers for each program — at least one boys and girls athlete — based on results submitted by coaches or recorded through Athletic.net.
Camden-Frontier
Camden-Frontier opened the track season with an uncommon start, traveling to two Ohio meets before hosting a home event against SCAA crossover opponents.
Boys
Junior Brandon Menchaca delivered an impressive early-season showing, highlighted by a win in the 200-meter dash at the Edon Invitational. He added two additional top five finishes and later led the 4x200 relay team to a victory at the SCAA crossover meet. Menchaca also won the pole vault at the crossover and set a personal-best time of 24.33 seconds in the 200. Through 11 events, he has not placed lower than fifth.
Girls
Sophomore Zailey Conroy, one of the area’s preseason athletes to watch, opened her campaign with eight victories across sprint events. She remains undefeated in the 200-meter and 400-meter dashes, posting season-best times of 27.74 and 1:03.17, respectively. Conroy also recorded two wins and one runner-up finish in the 100 and set a personal best in the long jump (13 feet, 2½ inches) to place second at Edon.
Hillsdale
The Hornets opened their season by hosting the Jack Beilfuss Invitational before traveling to Napoleon for another invitational, where multiple athletes recorded personal-best performances. The Hillsdale boys track team took third overall in team score at the Napoleon Invite, its first top three team score of the season.
Boys
Senior Ashton Thornsbury captured the 110-meter hurdles title at the Jack Beilfuss Invite before setting a new personal best (15.47 seconds) while finishing second at Napoleon. Thornsbury also won two high jump events and posted a season-best height of 6 feet, 3 inches at Napoleon, finishing one inch shy of the invitational record.
Junior Cam Arnold swept the 100-meter dash at both the Jack Beilfuss and Napoleon Invitationals, posting a personal-best time of 11.30 seconds. Arnold helped lead the 4x100 relay team to a win at Jack Beilfuss and a runner-up finish at Napoleon. He also ran the opening leg of the 4x400 relay at Napoleon, helping the team finish fourth.
Girls
Effie Heckel led the Hillsdale girls with four top five finishes in sprints and relays. Her best result came in the 400-meter dash at Napoleon, where she placed inside the top three in 1:05.50. Heckel also anchored the 4x200 relay team to a third-place finish at Jack Beilfuss, posting a time of 1:54.69.
Ashton Thornsbury runs to a second-place finish in the 110-meter hurdles.
Hillsdale sprinter Effie Heckel competes in the Napoleon 100-meter dash.
Hillsdale Academy
The Colts finished fourth at Fowler’s Under the Lights Invitational and followed it up by winning the SCAA crossover meet at Camden-Frontier.
Boys
Senior Dawson Scharer and junior Grayson Rorick combined for multiple wins in the season’s opening meets. Rorick won both the 1,600- and 3,200-meter runs and placed second in the 800 at the Jack Beilfuss Invite. He also ran on the winning 4x800 relay team at Fowler (8:30.20) and was part of a runner-up 4x400 relay.
Scharer, a returning state champion, won all four of his hurdle races. He also claimed first place in the 100- and 200-meter dashes at the SCAA crossover meet. Scharer helped lead the 4x400 relay team to a second-place finish at Jack Beilfuss and wins at both Camden-Frontier and Fowler, including a winning time of 3:39.93 at Fowler.
Girls
Junior Allie Miller recorded top five finishes in four different events early in the season. She placed second in the 800 at the Jack Beilfuss Invite and earned runner-up finishe at the SCAA crossover. Miller also helped lead the 4x400 relay to a win at Camden-Frontier and was part of the first-place 4x800 relay at Fowler, which finished in 10:29.09.
Jonesville
Jonesville opened its season at the Grass Lake Warrior Invitational, where the boys finished second in the team standings and the girls placed third overall.
Boys
Junior Reece Rundquist won four events at Grass Lake, taking first in the 110 hurdles, high jump and long jump. He posted a personal-best clearance of 6 feet, 2 inches in the high jump and leaped 18 feet, 4½ inches to set a career best in the long jump. Rundquist also ran the second leg of the 4x200 relay, which won in 1:36.79.
Junior Caleb Blonde won both of his distance races at Grass Lake, posting a personal-best 4:30.01 to claim the 1,600-meter title before also winning the 3,200.
Girls
Senior Payton Nichelson won the high jump with a clearance of 4 feet, 10 inches and anchored the 4x200 relay team to a victory in 1:57.62. She also placed second in the 200-meter dash with a time of 27.59.
Litchfield
Litchfield competed in three meets to open the season, including the Edon Invitational in Ohio and the SCAA crossover at Camden-Frontier.
Boys
Sophomore Logan Perkins recorded four top five finishes in four events. He won the 100-meter dash at Edon with a personal-best time of 11.87 seconds and later anchored the 4x100 relay team to a second-place finish at the SCAA meet in Athens (50.38).
Girls
Senior exchange student Flore LeNechet led the 4x100 relay team to a win at the Edon Invite while running the opening leg. The relay team also took second place at Athens in 57.60. LeNechet added top five finishes in each of her 200-meter races.
Pittsford
Pittsford opened the season with meets at Athens and a dual with Reading. The Pittsford girls won both the Athens meet and their dual against Reading, while the boys finished second at Athens.
Boys
Senior Mondale Knepfler anchored the opening leg of Pittsford’s 4x200 and 4x400 relay teams, both of which won their races. The 4x400 posted a time of 4:02.14 in the dual against Reading. Knepfler also ran on the 4x100 relay in the dual and won both of his high jump events, setting a personal-best mark of 5 feet, 8 inches.
Girls
Sophomore Brielle Clark recorded eight results across five categories and earned six wins across two meets. She won the 400-meter dash twice, posting a personal-best 1:06.38 at Athens. Clark also set a personal best of 27.60 in the 200, anchored both the 4x200 and 4x400 relays to wins and cleared a personal-best 8 feet in the pole vault to win at Athens.
Reading
Reading competed in two dual meets and attended the first annual Hanover-Horton Invitational. The Reading boys finished second at Hanover-Horton and earned dual-meet wins over Homer and Pittsford.
Boys
Senior Markis Tucker has won all three of his discus events to start the season, including a personal-best 114 feet, 1 inch at Hanover-Horton. He also placed third in the shot put at Homer.
Sophomore Will Elder posted top five finishes in the 100, 200 and 800-meter events. His best results included a fourth-place finish in the 200 at Hanover-Horton and third in the 800 at Homer. Elder helped the 4x100, 4x200 and 4x400 relay teams earn wins, serving as the opening leg of the 4x400 team that won at Hanover-Horton.
Girls
Sophomore Caylee Whinnie recorded six top five finishes and three wins across five events. She won the 100-meter dash against Pittsford and led the 4x100 relay team to two wins and a runner-up finish. Whinnie also ran lead legs on the 4x200 and 4x400 relays, which placed inside the top three.
Waldron
Waldron opened the season with meets at Athens and Hanover-Horton.
Boys
Senior distance runner Ryan Anderson posted four top five finishes and one win. He won the 800-meter run at Athens in 2:34.0 and anchored the 4x200 and 4x800 relay teams to top five finishes at Hanover-Horton.
Girls
Sophomore Lillyana Burleson earned three top five finishes in hurdles and jumps. She placed second in the long jump at Athens and fourth at Hanover-Horton with a season-best leap of 12 feet, 11 inches. Burleson also placed fourth and sixth in the 100 hurdles.
Will Carleton Academy
WCA competed at meets hosted by Hillsdale and Camden-Frontier.
Boys
Junior Castin Cousino recorded top five finishes in the 800 and both the 4x200 and 4x400 relays at the SCAA crossover. He placed fourth in the 800-meter run with a time of 2:15.45.
Girls
Senior Madison Recob made her return to WCA track with a strong start, placing second in shot put at the Jack Beilfuss Invite and winning the event at the SCAA crossover. She also posted a personal-best discus throw of 83 feet, 3 inches to finish fourth at Camden-Frontier.
This article originally appeared on Hillsdale Daily News: Hillsdale County track athletes post personal bests at early invites
Q&A
What were the final placements of Hillsdale and Jonesville track teams at the invitationals?
Both the Hillsdale and Jonesville track teams finished in the top three at the invitationals.
When did the Hillsdale and Jonesville track teams compete in the invitationals?
The exact date of the invitationals is not specified, but they recently took place.
What events did the Hillsdale and Jonesville track teams participate in at the invitationals?
The article does not specify the events, but both teams competed in track and field events.
How does the performance of Hillsdale and Jonesville track teams compare to previous years?
The article does not provide a comparison to previous years' performances.
