Warsaw’s Ross Armey is ready to take flight in the hurdles this spring. (Photo by Mike Deak)

WARSAW – If you want to try to find a hungrier boys track athlete in the area, you won’t have to look any further than Ross Armey. But he won’t tell you out loud just how much of a bitter taste was left in his mouth since last year’s track season.

“I can’t change anything, I can only learn from it,” was all Armey would say about last year’s regional 300 hurdles event, where a clip on the final hurdle by Armey caused Tipton’s Chase Bess to fall, not only taking away a regional title from Armey who crossed the finish line first, but disqualified Armey from the state finals. “I can just worry about what I do this year.”

The situation also took away 10 points from Warsaw’s track team, which would have finished one point ahead of eventual regional champion Northridge. The circumstance didn’t define Warsaw’s season or what is to come this year, and won’t obstacle Armey, who should be one of the state’s top hurdlers this season.

Armey’s 300 hurdles championship at the Goshen Sectional (40.07), along with his regional performance, violation withstanding, puts the senior near the top of the heap of a Warsaw team stacked in talent. Armey also was a finalist in the 110 hurdles at the sectional a year ago, to which the state champion – Clayton Cook of Wawasee – won the event. Armey could also make a move in the 400 or join one of the Tiger sprint relays.

Armey’s season on the football field last fall had the defensive end bulk up almost 30 pounds since last track season, but he’s confident track should be a success this year.

“I have a lot more confidence in my abilities since last year, and football season helped,” said Armey, who was a relentless pass rusher for the Tigers last fall. “I think this team we have has so much talent, and we can compete with anyone. We have so many guys returning that had great seasons last year. We don’t need a lot of guys yelling and screaming to motivate anyone. Us leaders are really just leading by example. I think that’s the best way to get us to the goals we have set.”

Warsaw head coach Matt Thacker’s group certainty won’t be short on talent, returning over a dozen athletes that saw action in the regional last year. Warsaw lost only three major contributors from its 2015 roster, and the depth of this year’s team should be able to cover their tracks.

Without specifying events for participants, Thacker notes his talent pool is incredible. Armey, Brandon Reinholt, Landan Perry, Rane Kilburn, Will McGarvey, Lucas Cone and Luke Wilder should all factor into track events and relays, while Brock Riley, Tommy Hickerson, Dylan Childers and Jaceb Burish likely will give Warsaw capable athletes in the field. Owen Glogovsky and Zeb Hernandez will headline the distance corps. That doesn’t even factor in if Riley Rhoades will give track a go, perhaps Warsaw’s most versatile weapon, coming off a basketball season where he was still recovering from a knee injury suffered during football.

“Fortunately, for us we have always been able to find the one or two kids that come out of nowhere to help us and, at this point, we are not sure whom that may be,” Thacker said, who lists 96 kids on the preseason roster. “But we do have some potential candidates. Our depth or quality of depth may be our biggest asset.”

Warsaw opens its outdoor season tonight at East Noble and Thursday at Fort Wayne Snider. The Hoosier State Relays indoor state finals are Saturday at Purdue, then the Tigers’ home opener is March 29 against Penn.

Lakeland Christian Academy Cougars

Key Returners: Alex Plastow, Josh Gervasi

Key Newcomers: Braxton Keller, Theran McKeever, Luke Miller, Jacob Schmitt

Tippecanoe Valley Vikings

Key Returners: Neil Clampitt, Jon Fields, Gavin Good, Shay Merley, Jared Mikel, Dakota Parker

Key Losses: Jordan Frasor, Aaron Hoffman, Deontee Smith, Michael Thacker

Triton Trojans

Key Returners: Jeremy Jones, Trey Watkins

Key Losses: Kevin Heckaman, Derek Johnston, Justin Martin

Wawasee Warriors

Key Returners: Sam Griner, Zac McKee, Brady Robinson, Cole VanLue

Key Losses: Clayton Cook, Tyler Courter, JJ Gilmer

Key Newcomers: Braxton Alexander, Luke Griner, Spencer Hare, Ben Hoffert

Coach Lancaster’s Comments: “We’re young on the boys team this year. We got a few really nice freshmen to come in. We’ve gotten some good athletes in the past but this is the first time in a while that we’ve gotten a group of some upper level distance runners. We’ve been pleased with what we’ve seen out of those young kids so far. To be competitive in this conference we’d really have to make a big step. From what I’ve seen so far the Northern Lakes Conference will be tough as nails and that will be tough for some of our younger kids to adjust to, running against more experienced teams.”

Whitko Wildcats

Key Returners: Garrett Elder, Walker Hobbs, Gavin Howard, Alex Morales, Conner Sherwin, Brady Weeks, Alex Wilson

Key Losses: Will Bumbaugh, Daniel Kirkham