Loveland track team replaces parts, keeps rolling

LOVELAND – Though they didn’t win a third-straight Anderson Invitational, Loveland High School boys track coach Jim Vanatsky has his squad in familiar surroundings as the Eastern Cincinnati Conference meet approaches May 14.

The Tigers will be right back at the other orange and black school where they finished second April 23-24. Considering multiple injuries, including the loss of all-league sprinter Nate Slagel (recovering from a fall football ACL) finishing second to Northwest wasn’t disappointing.

Senior Camden Baucke won the discus at 149’ 6” and the shot put at 50’. He was rewarded by being named Most Valuable Field Athlete.

“Camden set the school record,” Vanatsky said. “He’s been strong in the shot, but he made some technical changes in the discus that really produced good results. He’s solid as a rock for us in both of those events.”

The hard-working Baucke actually sustained a mild finger injury with his reputation for repetition.

“He’s kind of like the golfer that goes out and keeps hacking,” Vanatsky said. “We have to back him down. Whether he’s getting any better or not, he just keeps hacking and wears himself out.”

Like several of Loveland’s finest that populate the spring ovals, Baucke was a member of the Division II state championship football team. He’s headed to Malone to play, where the track coach may also want to coax him in to hurling weighted objects.

Junior Giovanni Ricci is a veteran of the state track meet in Columbus. Loveland’s lanky lad produced at Anderson by taking the high jump and the 110 meter high hurdles.

“Gio’s gifted, everybody knows that,” Vanatsky said. “He’s a hard-working kid and does everything right. You have your workhorses on your team and he’s one of them.”

Because of their injury/depth situation, Vanatsky said Ricci may be appearing in other events to help in point-scoring.

Another multi-event performer is Beau Ngu. A tall, defensive back in the fall; Ngu runs like a gazelle in the spring.

“His stride is beautiful,” Vanatsky said. “We all think if he reaches his potential, what would that be? We know he’s one of our fastest kids. Once he gets going, he’s passing everybody.”

Junior Jordan Davis is helping as a team captain and in areas where the recovering Slagel scored last year.

“He’s in the 100 and long jump and is also one of our horses,” Vantasky said. “We have a really good team, but we have really good competition.”

The Loveland girls coached by Herb Laughman, also took second at the Anderson Invitational, falling to Turpin by just three points.

Among the successes for the Lady Tigers, freshman Gabby Dierling was second in the 100 hurdles; senior Lena Koenig was second in the 800; junior Guste Rubikaite was second in the high jump; freshman Erica Padgett, second in the long jump; freshman Susie Heath, second in the triple jump; senior Mackenzie Johnson was third in the 1,600; freshman Ashley Mays was third in the 3,200; and Loveland was third in the 4x400 relay.