Schaeffer anchors Huron, on track and off

MILAN — Conner Schaeffer is Huron's anchor. That's true in a literal sense — he's the last leg on two state-qualifying relay teams. But it's true beyond the literal, too — Schaeffer keeps the Tigers grounded. He's their leader. He's their example. He's not just the anchor for those relays, but for the entire Huron track team. "I think he likes those races because he is not a 'me' guy," Huron coach Mike Lemponen said. "Being in those relays, it's that leadership role where they're gonna go as far as he takes them. Being in that anchor spot, it's a big trust thing." It's a rare combination of speed and work ethic that will have Schaeffer racing in three events at the Division II state track meet in Columbus this weekend. But it's the leadership traits he's developed over the past couple seasons that will help ensure that this year's Huron teams, and the ones that come after, will continue to have strong representation at state across the board. "He wants everything to be exactly as it should be," Lemponen said. "During the races, the 4x1 relay, he's standing there practicing his exchanges by himself. That has rubbed off on other kids in our relays doing the exact same thing. It's being a leader without having to be a leader, without saying anything." Schaeffer wasn't always a sprinter. In middle school, he ran the 400, setting him up to run even longer distances in high school. But in the winter of his sophomore year, after COVID-19 wiped out his freshman season, Schaeffer almost immediately impressed Lemponen in their quick-burst sprint workouts. "I was like all right, I'll give sprints a try," Schaeffer said. "And I learned I was very good at that… I think it's just naturally how I am. I don't know how else to explain it." At one point that winter, Schaeffer approached Lemponen to let him know he'd rather run distance. The coach's answer was simple: "No." "Right out of the gate he passed the eye test," Lemponen said. "You don't have to have any track knowledge at all to look at him and go, yeah, that guy is pretty fast." It definitely looks like that was the right call. Schaeffer learned from a strong trio of then-senior leaders — Zach Weyer, Ben Buathier and Richie Delaney. "Those senior mentors really pushed me," Schaeffer said. "They all helped push me to try and beat the 200 record that was standing for 50 years." Over three varsity seasons, Schaeffer kept getting faster and getting closer to that history. "He has not missed a single day of anything," Lemponen said. "We start in November and he's there every day. He has no choice but to be successful when he's that dedicated." His speed shows up across events. He has won 100- and 400-meter dashes, in addition to the 200 he's taking to state. He's adept at all three of those distances in relays, too. Relays are Schaeffer's favorite in general. It's there where he can feel that connection with his teammates that has built through their ups and downs. "The relays I feel like I gain more of a connection with the race itself," he said. "I'm running with my friends… Always hearing them cheering me on when I'm going always feels really good." Schaeffer, Beau Harkelroad, Andrew Delaney and Cooper Norwell made it to state last year but couldn't make the finals in their relays. That has fueled them this season. "Whenever we need a little kick of motivation, we think back to last year and think we have to do better," Schaeffer said. "We can avenge ourselves a little bit." A hamstring injury will keep Norwell out of relay action at state. Schaeffer's younger brother, Joe, is the replacement on the 4x200. "It's been a really fun experience," Conner said of being teammates with his brother. The 4x200 was regional runner-up in Lexington, just seven-hundredths of a second behind Toledo Central Catholic. Delaney, Jackson Campbell, Tyler Kohlmann and Schaeffer were third in the 4x400 at regional. Schaeffer seized an at-large bid in the 200 out of Lane 8 with a fast fifth-place finish of 22.00 seconds. "When I first ran the (200), I was like, ooh, I like this," Schaeffer said. "I liked the feel of it. I liked the distance. I felt like I had time to chase people down. It was that perfect race." The sprints at Jesse O will be Schaeffer's final ones in a competitive track setting, at least for now. He's going to attend Bowling Green State University, study business and play club soccer. He'll likely shine on the pitch — Schaeffer was an all-state centerback for the Tigers. A central defender isn't normally the fastest player on the field, and they're usually taller, too, but that's exactly where Schaeffer dominated. "I always enjoyed that spot," he said. "Facing their strikers, they're gonna be fast. It's always fun racing them to the ball, trying to beat them." He knows the end to his track career is near, although it's been a bit unusual. The Tigers are training at Edison High School while their track undergoes construction. Schaeffer, who lives at the Berlin Heights end of Huron, hasn't had a long commute but hasn't quite gotten used to the change in scenery. But even though he won't step foot on the Huron track again as a high school athlete, Schaeffer's legacy there is already secure. The last meet held there, the Artie Miller Invitational, was Schaeffer's finest moment. That day, he broke the school's 200 record, which had been held for half a century by Tigers greats Bill Scott and Mark Barker. "The 200 record had been a goal since sophomore year for me," Schaeffer said. "Breaking that my senior year was relieving and exciting." Schaeffer wasn't thinking about setting the record that day. He just wanted to get the win over a fast competitor from Elyria, and that led to his best time. Even if Schaeffer doesn't match that mark in Columbus, he's already ensured his name will be on that Huron record board, potentially for years to come. "That was the best accomplishment he's had, especially knowing coach Scott," Lemponen said. "Coach Scott couldn't be happier for him. He said if anyone was gonna break it, I'm glad it was Conner, because he's just a great person… It's one of those moments you won't forget. You hope his name is up there for a long time." And who's to say the school record won't fall at state? Schaeffer thrives when running against the fastest competitors. He likes coming around the bend in the 200 meters with just a bit of ground to make up and letting his legs, often the shortest in a given field, hit full gear. There are very few sights like Schaeffer in full flight, legs a blur, determined eyes straight ahead. That visual is already part of Huron history, and as the anchor in Columbus, Schaeffer will have the chance to finish at full speed. "I'm super excited," Schaeffer said. "I think it'll be just a great way to end off my year, end it on a good note."