The 2014 Journal-World All-Area Boys Track team, from left, top row: player of the year Kord Ferguson, Ottawa; Colin Coleman, Perry-Lecompton; Trevor Hillis, Free State; Ethan Hartzell, Baldwin; Ben Johnson, Tonganoxie. Bottom row: Luis Murillo, De Soto; Cory Peoples, Ottawa; Kurtis Loevenstein, Mill Valley; Stan Skwarlo, Free State; Tyler Mundy, Santa Fe Trail. Not pictured: coach of the year Mike Spielman, Baldwin.

Player of the Year

Kord Ferguson, Ottawa

One of the top throwers in the nation, Ferguson nearly took down Kansas state records in the shot put and in the discus. He set Class 4A state meet records with a throw of 64-7.5 in the shot put and 206-2 in the discus, capping one of the best throwing careers in Kansas high school history.

Coach of the Year

Mike Spielman, Baldwin

Spielman led the Bulldogs to their fourth straight Frontier League title, second place in regionals and third at the 4A state meet. Baldwin earned its 38 state meet points from Christian Gaylord, Ethan Hartzell, Joel Katzer, Joseph Pierce, Quinn Twombly and a couple of relay teams.

First team

Colin Coleman, Perry-Lecompton — Coleman didn’t run the 200 as a junior but went undefeated in the event this spring, topping a Class 4A state meet record (21.87), which had stood for 11 years. The Emporia State signee also took fourth at state in the 100 and defended his state title in the 4×400 relay.

Kord Ferguson, Ottawa — The Wichita State signee’s season-best throw in the shot put (67-10) ranks second all-time in Kansas state history and his season-long in the discus (210-3) ranks third. Before he heads off to WSU, he’s hoping to qualify for the IAAF World Youth Championships in Oregon later this summer.

Ethan Hartzell, Baldwin — An injury cost Hartzell the chance to compete at the state meet last year. This spring, he made the most of his opportunity, finishing third in the 3,200, fourth in the 1,600 and running the second leg on the 4A state champion 4×800 relay team, which broke the school record (7:59.00).

Trevor Hillis, Free State — Hillis was in a league of his own in the pole vault this spring, winning Sunflower League, regional and 6A state titles. The Kansas University signee also set a new Free State school record, clearing 15 feet, 3 inches.

Ben Johnson, Tonganoxie — The Wichita State signee as a decathlete won a 4A state championship in the triple jump, leaping 45 feet, two inches on his last jump, which also broke the Chieftains’ school record. Johnson also took ninth in the high jump and 110 hurdles at state.

Kurtis Loevenstein, Mill Valley — The Jaguars’ junior won a 5A state championship in the 800, with a time of 1:57.42. Loevenstein also ran anchor on the 4×400 relay which took sixth place and on Mill Valley’s state champion 4×800 relay, which broke its school record with a time of 8:00.26.

Tyler Mundy, Santa Fe Trail — Not only did Mundy finish fourth in the javelin and high jump at the 4A state meet, but he also took sixth in the triple jump. He won a regional title in the high jump and javelin and is the Chargers’ school record holder in the javelin (186-2).

Luis Murillo, De Soto — Murillo finished fourth at the state meet in 4A in the 3,200 (9:55.92) and took seventh in the 800. He also ran the fastest time among any sophomore in the 800 (1:56.93) during the season and won a regional championship in the event.

Cory Peoples, Ottawa — Peoples finished second in the shot put in the Frontier League, at regionals and at the 4A state meet. The Baker University football signee’s season-best toss of 57-6.75 ranked fifth in the state all spring.

Stan Skwarlo, Free State — In his final prep race at the 6A state meet, Skwarlo ran a personal-best 1:56.69 in the 800, finishing third. The Wichita State signee also won a regional title in the 800 and ran on the 4×800 relay, which claimed a regional championship.

Honorable mention

Amani Bledsoe, Lawrence; Colton Bray, Mill Valley; Dearion Cooper, Lawrence; Christian Gaylord, Baldwin; Ryan Liston, Free State; Clifford Meeks, Mill Valley; Joe Pierce, Baldwin; Logan Shields, Lawrence; Tae Shorter, Lawrence; Luke Stenzel, De Soto; Seth Surface, Perry-Lecompton; Hunter Thuro, Wellsville; Quinn Twombly, Baldwin; Lucas Werner, Free State; Ben Zoller, De Soto.