Norwalk indoor track competes at Findlay

FINDLAY — The Norwalk High School indoor track and field team competed at the University of Findlay Dave's Running High School Series No. 3 on Sunday. The indoor season is managed by the Ohio Association Track and Cross Country Coaches (OATCCC), and has an end-of-season All-Ohio competition — much like the OHSAA outdoor championships held in Columbus each June. At the Findlay meet, the 4x400-meter relay team of Shyla Gruhlke, Zuri Immel, Madison Trennor and Xavi Immel finished in first place in 4:41.57. Individually, Xavi Immel (2:30.37) and Zuri Immel (2:32.84) finished 1-2 in the 800 run. Elliot Gahring was fifth in the 200 (24.86) and sixth in the 400 (57.2), while Nathan Kessler was ninth in the 200 (25.86). At the junior high level, Grace Norris ran the 400 in 1:07, which was first out of three middle school competitors, and 11th out of 45 competitors overall. Norris was also second out of four junior high runners in the 60 (8.7) and 20th out of 74 runners; and second out of four junior high runners in the 200 (29.42), good for 12th overall out of 65 runners. Norwalk head track and field coach Phil Oglesby said that in past years, indoor track was mainly used as offseason conditioning for the outdoor season, and for elite athletes that wanted to qualify for state or a national outdoor meet. "Usually we have around 15-to-20 kids participating in indoors, and around five or six that will actually compete," Oglesby said. "In 2019, we had a pole vaulter qualify for nationals. In 2020, we had two relay teams qualify for the prestigious Penn Relays in Philadelphia, but that meet was canceled because of COVID. Last year we had five competing in indoors." This winter, the Truckers have around 34 competitors participating in the indoor season, with about 25 that compete in meets. "The work ethic and effort of the 2023 indoor is also amazing," Oglesby said. "It's very exciting going into outdoor, which starts in one month (Feb. 21)." The NHS program also chaperones area unattached kids that do not have an official program who want coaches available at an indoor meet. The team also takes Norwalk Middle School athletes wishing to compete. Norwalk is back in action this Sunday in Tiffin. Below are the full results for Norwalk athletes: Findlay Dave's Running High School Series #3 (Grade in parentheses) ** — denotes 2023 Indoor PR Pole Vault Ike White (9), 7-feet** 23rd Girls 60 intermediate hurdles: Aubree Woodside (9), 12.77**, 14th Boys 60 high hurdles Dylan Eggleston (9), 10.05, 11th Devon Roberts (10), 10.50**, 13th Girls 60 Grace Norris (8) 8.70**, 2nd (JH), 20th overall Shula Gruhkle (10) 8.83**, 27th Boys 60 Elliot Gahring (9) 7.67**, 12th Nathan Kessler (9) 7.61**, 14th Dylan Eggleston (9) 8.27**, 35th Boys 1600 Max Bores (9), 5:15.20**, 10th Girls 400 Grace Norris (8), 1:07**, 1st (JH), 11th overall Boys 400 Elliot Gahring, 57.2, 6th Girls 800 Xavi Immel (9), 2:30.37**, 1st Zuri Immel (10), 2:32.84, 2nd Madison Trennor (9), 2:59.54**, 21st Allison Konik (8), 3:15.33**, 25th Girls 200 Grace Norris (8), 29.42**, 2nd (JH), 12th overall Zuri Immel (10), 29.74 **, 18th Boys 200 Elliot Gahring (9), 24.96, 5th Nathan Kessler (11), 25.86, 9th Dylan Eggleston (9), 27.58, 27th Ike White (9), 34.01, 31st Girls 4x400 Gruhkle (10), Z. Immel (10), Trenor (9), X, Immel (9), 4:41.57