FORTVILLE — Mt. Vernon’s boys track and field team lost some top performers to graduation, but the cupboard is far from bare.
The program’s first state champion, high hurdler George Burhenn, who was also a two-time all-stater in the 300-meter low hurdles and 4×400-meter relay, is now playing tight end at Purdue University.
One-half of the 4×4 relay group is gone with the additional graduation of distance standout Tristan Trevino, who was a two-time all-stater in the 800. Trevino is now running at Marian University.
“We had three real heavy hitters last year in [Tristan] Trevino, [George] Burhenn and Andres Langston. When you graduate two of the three your team looks a little different,” Mt. Vernon head coach Nick Clarkson said. “I think we’re still very strong in a lot of areas.
“Even though we don’t have as many heavy hitters, we have a lot of guys that are above average or really good. They’re going to add to a lot of depth to a lot of areas.”
The Marauders scored 28 points and finished sixth in last year’s state meet. Burhenn scored 17 with his victory (10 points) in the high hurdles and third-place finish (7 points) in the low hurdles.
Langston will lead the way this year. A Duke signee, he is a two-time all-state performer in the 400-meter dash (twice finishing eighth), part of the talented relay team along with senior Tre Jones and a state qualifier in the high hurdles.
Langston is coming off a weekend where he competed in three events at the Hoosier State Relays, the unofficial indoor state finals, including the high jump, 60-meter hurdles and as a member of the 4×400 relay.
Clarkson said plans — though they could change depending on team needs — are to move Langston from the 400 to the intermediate hurdles.
He believes the move will increase Langston’s chances at the state finals, going from a much larger field in the 400 to a smaller group in the 300 hurdles.
“The pool is smaller in the intermediate [hurdles],” Clarkson said. “We bumped him over because he is a great hurdler and he has that endurance and speed. I think it’s going to be a good move for us and potentially get him deeper into the state finals.”
Jones was part of both of the all-state relay teams and is expected to return to that group as well as be one of the team’s top sprinters. With Langston moving to the intermediate hurdles, Jones could take a spot in the 400, to also go with running the 200 and being a part of the 4×100 relay.
“We’re very optimistic about Tre,” Clarkson said. “He’s shown he’s even faster as far as top-end speed than he was last year.”
Trevino is gone from the distance group, but it was already an area where the Marauders had solid depth.
Senior Colin Strachman leads the group. He was part of last year’s 4×800 relay state qualifying team and also qualified for the cross country state finals in the fall. Sophomores Cooper Hunziker and Caden Cassada were part of last year’s relay team that lost only Daylon King to graduation.
Clarkson calls Strachman a good example for the younger runners, which includes a strong sophomore class that was a big part of a state-ranked cross country season.
“He works hard and does things right, steady Eddie” Clarkson said of Strachman. “He’s laser-focused on being the best he can be.”
Missing last year due to injury, Roland Tremble returns as the team’s lead thrower, with discus being his primary event. He is already throwing in the 130- to 140-feet range.
A new runner/jumper in the mix is sophomore Zayden Ramsey, a transfer from Horizon Christian. He is only a sophomore and has reached over 20-feet in the long jump. He should be part of a strong sprint group that includes senior Chris Edmonds.
The Marauders graduated top sprinter D.J. Marble, the school record holder in the 100-meter dash, who was unable to complete last season due to an injury.
Versatile sophomore Sebastian Sprague is currently out with an injury. He filled in nicely last year on the 4×400 relay and was strong in the long jump and other events.
Sawyer Ruminer is the best pole vaulter. He recently cleared 12-feet, 6-inches in an indoor event.
The outdoor season is scheduled to begin Thursday with a home meet against Horizon Christian.
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2024 Mt. Vernon Boys Track and Field Schedule
Date;Opponent;Time
March 28;vs. Horizon Christian;5:30 p.m.
April 2;at Greenwood/Roncalli;5:30 p.m.
April 6;at Terre Haute North Patriot Challenge;10 a.m.
April 9;at Lawrence North;5 p.m.
April 13;at Marion Relays;11 a.m.
April 15;at Fishers;5:30 p.m.
April 19;at Bishop Chatard Invitational;5 p.m.
April 19;at Carmel Distance Showcase;6 p.m.
April 23;at Noblesville Miller Invitational;5 p.m.
April 27;at Kokomo Relays;11:30 a.m.
May 1;Hancock Co. Meet (at MV);5 p.m.
May 9;HHC Meet (at MV);5:30 p.m.
May 11;at Huntington North;11 a.m.
May 16;Mt. Vernon Sectional;5:30 p.m.
