MANSFIELD — Welcome to the midway point of the 2024 Richland 200 list.
After this edition, we are officially 100 athlete deep into the annual summer countdown shedding light on some of the top returning athletes in Richland County.
Let's meet Nos. 101-110 as we get ready for the Top 100.
101. Baylee Black, Ontario
As a junior, Black had a strong showing at the Division II regional cross country meet taking 32nd overall with a 20:30.60. While she didn't qualify for the state meet, there is just something special about Black as a runner. She goes about her business quietly and lets her running do the talking and during her senior year, it will have a lot to say even if she doesn't.
102. Katrina Rogers, Clear Fork
Rogers had a big junior softball season earning honorable mention All-Northwest District and first team All-Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference as she led the Colts to a league championship. She hit .386 with 32 hits, eight home runs, 37 RBIs and 29 runs scored which was a monster season for her to build on. Unfortunately, she did tear her ACL this summer prepping for a breakout basketball season, but she should be recovered in time to get back on the softball field to help the Colts make a run at another conference title.
103. Anthony Fanello, Lucas
Fanello is a newcomer to the Richland 200 as his breakout baseball season was celebrated with a second team All-District 9 and first team All-Mid-Buckeye Conference nod. He hit .328 with 20 hits, three doubles, a triple, 11 RBIs and 18 runs scored. Fanello will return in 2025 looking to help the Cubs get back on top of the MBC and ending his career with another league championship.
104. Jack DiBartolomeo, Lucas
The reigning News Journal Small School Pitcher of the Year was something special in 2024. Earning honorable mention All-District 9 and first team All-MBC, DiBartolomeo went 5-2 with a save and a 2.24 earned run average. He struck out 73 batters in 43 ⅔ innings of work. He also hit .306 with 22 hits, 15 RBIs and 11 runs scored during his sophomore season. It will be exciting to see what this kid brings to the mound over the next two years as he helps the Cubs remain in the conversation for league championships.
105. Kyeona Myers, Mansfield Senior
Mansfield Senior girls basketball has entered a new era and it is the Myers era. After graduating a boat load of seniors from last year's 20-win team, the Tygers are officially Myers' team now and it couldn't be in better hands. She was an honorable mention in the Northwest District, District 6 and Ohio Cardinal Conference after averaging 8.8 points, four rebounds, 2.2 assists and 3.2 steals during her sophomore campaign. Now, Myers will be the No. 1 option and the Tygers shouldn't miss a beat. She is a smooth lefty with a silky jumper and an ability to get to the rim with ease. She is going to have a huge year on the hardwood.
106. Chandler Ball, Clear Fork
Ball was an unsung hero of the Colts' postseason baseball run that took them to the regional semifinals. He hit .333 with 27 hits, nine doubles, two triples, two home runs, 27 RBIs and 20 runs scored but it was his willingness to do what his team needed him to do during a run to a district championship that stood out. He laid down several sacrifice bunts and rolled over some ground balls to move runners that put his team in great positions to do some damage. He was an honorable mention All-District 9 and second team All-Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference player who is about to earn even more in 2025.
107. Megan Them, Mansfield Christian
Them had a breakout junior season in cross country and track. She finished 70th at the state cross country meet with a time of 20:09.80 and with eighth at the regional track meet in the 3,200 and while she may have missed out on state in track, she will be back for her senior year ready to capture some momentum this fall that could carry her over into track season and possibly a double state-qualifying year.
108. Izzy Wamsley, Madison
Wamsley burst onto the softball scene here in Richland County with a stellar freshman season. She was second on the team with a .436 batting average but was tops on the team with 44 hits. She had two doubles, three triples, 12 RBIs and 30 runs scored as the No. 2 batter in the lineup and started every game at shortstop. The freshman proved she is going to be one of the best players in Richland County for the next three years and her progress is going to be run to watch. She was an honorable mention All-Northwest District and second team All-Ohio Cardinal Conference honoree, but all-state honors are definitely in her future.
109. Philip Etzel, Lexington
Etzel had a big freshman tennis season for Lex. He was part of the second doubles Ohio Cardinal Conference championship team and was a district qualifying singles player even earning a win in the tournament. The Minutemen continue to churn out top-notch tennis players and Etzel will be a big name for the next three years as he works to continue a legacy started by his brother, Karl.
110. Princess Timko, Shelby
As a sophomore, Timko helped the Shelby 4x100 meter relay team finish with the ninth-fastest preliminary time in all of Division II with a 49.54. If the state meet would have been held at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium like normal, the quartet of Timko, Peyton Putnam, Madison Henkel and Jaleeza Zehner would have had a shot at running for an All-Ohio spot, but with Dayton only having an eight-lane track, only the Top 8 advanced to the finals. With Putnam and Zehner graduating, Timko and Henkel will have to bring in to new runners to their relay team but expect Timko to also excel as an individual sprinter, too. That kid is fast.
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