Cheboygan's Ecker, the 2024 athlete of the year, leads Daily Tribune's all-area track team

CHEBOYGAN – The Cheboygan area girls track and field season was an exciting one.

Last spring, many athletes delivered in their respective events, with some even qualifying for the state finals.

With the campaign now complete, here’s a look at the Daily Tribune’s 2024 all-area girls track and field team, led by Cheboygan’s Bella Ecker, the Tribune’s athlete of the year.

2024 Daily Tribune All-Area Girls Track and Field Team

Bella Ecker, Cheboygan, Senior (Athlete of the year) – What a remarkable senior season it was for the Cheboygan star, who qualified for the Division 2 state finals in the high jump for the first time. The high jump was once again the top event for Ecker, who captured the Straits Area Conference crown and finished second at the regional meet. Ecker also had success in the long jump and sprint relay events, helping score several points for the Chiefs.

Samantha Bailey, Cheboygan, Senior – Capping off a solid track career was Bailey, who thrived in the 100 and 300 hurdle events for the Chiefs. Bailey’s success was highlighted by strong performances at the SAC meet and several invitationals. She also made her mark as one of Cheboygan’s best long jumpers.

Abbey Zilla, Cheboygan, Senior – While she wasn’t able to qualify for the state finals, Zilla was one of Cheboygan’s most consistent sprinters during a solid senior campaign. Throughout the season, Zilla thrived in the 100 and 200 and sprint relay events with the Chiefs.

Kaylee Taglauer, Inland Lakes, Sophomore – This talented Inland Lakes sprinter won the Ski Valley title in the 200 and qualified for states in the 100. No matter what event she was racing in, she usually placed. In addition, she was a leg on many of I-L's sprint relay teams throughout the campaign. Will return as one of the top area athletes in 2025.

Chloe Robinson, Inland Lakes, Sophomore – One of the area's most versatile athletes, Robinson succeeded in multiple field events, including the high jump and shot put. When she was running, she was a key member of the Bulldog sprint relay teams. Like her teammate Kaylee Taglauer, she did her part in the Bulldogs repeating as regional champions.

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Trinity Splan, Onaway, Junior – It was another outstanding campaign for Splan, who qualified for states in the discus and shot put. At regionals, she earned first place in the shot put, while also picking up second place in the discus and shot put at the Ski Valley finals. In 2025, she’ll be one of the most decorated returning athletes in the area.

Honorable Mentions: Ava Bury (Cheboygan), Olivia Patrick (Cheboygan), Cheyanne Friday (Cheboygan), Mary Myshock (Inland Lakes), Ashley Murray (Inland Lakes), Josie Cooper (Inland Lakes), Francis Bunker (Inland Lakes), Addison Byrne (Inland Lakes), Ellie Crull (Onaway)

Contact sports editor Jared Greenleaf at jgreenleaf@gannett.com . Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @sportsCDT

This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: Cheboygan's Ecker, the 2024 athlete of the year, leads Daily Tribune's all-area track team