Mercury Girls Track & Field Season Preview Capsules
Boyertown
Coach: Jon Zellers, first season.
Last year’s record: 1-4 Pioneer Athletic Conference (Liberty Division).
Athletes to watch: Auroroa Conrad, Sr., sprints; Jennah Fretz, Sr., throws; Madalyn Hunsberger, Sr., middle distance/distance/ Emma Elwell, Jr., sprints; Morgan Janiuk, Jr., middle distance/distance; Bianca Martinez, Jr., throws; Elise Rota, Jr., jumps; Renee Simmonds, So., hurdles/throws; Rachanee Tith, So., middle distance/distance.
Outlook: Elwell is coming off a productive winter track season during which she qualified for three events at the state meet. … The Bears’ roster is bolstered by freshman Alona Hopkins (sprints). … “It is a new beginning for the Lady Bears,” Zellers said. “I have a very small team of 33 athletes. Over 60 percent of the team consists of sophomores and freshmen. The team will have to focus and grow up fast to compete with the PAC’s powerhouses. They will be ready for the challenges put in front of them this season.”
Daniel Boone
Coach: Roberts Reismiller, third season (36th overall).
Last year’s record: 2-5 Berks Conference I.
Athletes to watch: Skylar Emory, Sr., sprints; Emily Lodge, Sr., jumps; Hailey Schinski, Sr., throws; Laura Taraboletti, Sr., throws; Emily Wedemeyer, Sr., throws; Carlina Davis, Jr., long distance; Vivian Kase, Jr., long distance; Ashley Benoit, So., long distance; Hannah Cassner, So., throws.
Outlook: The Blazers’ ranks are bolstered by freshmen Nylah Cody (hurdles), Lily Ferguson (jumps) and Erell Williams (jumps). … “We had a good turnout with some good returning athletes,” Reismiller said. “Being in a new division this year, we should be competitive and improve our league record. We are strong in some areas and should advance some of our athletes to our district championships.”
Hill School
Coach: Patrick Lake, ninth season.
Last year’s record: Not available.
Athletes to watch: Sadie McCaleb, Sr., throws; Laura Mitchell, Sr., sprints; Violet Robertson, Sr., pole vault; Calla Booth-Genthe, Jr., middle distance; Chevelle Obuobi-Donker, Jr., middle distance; Olivia Tullman, Jr., middle distance/distance; Mofe Akinyanmi, So., sprints/jumps; Sydney Floyd, So., sprints/jumps; Lauren Fudala, So., jumps/pole vault; Kiki Lange, So., sprints/jumps/pole vault; Avery Liggon, So., hurdles/jumps; Susanna Soderman, So., sprints/jumps.
Outlook: The Blues’ roster is bolstered by freshman Kiersten Dagg (distance). … “The team will build off its successes this winter and last spring, placing third in PAISSAs in each of those campaigns,” Lake said. “The team is young, with the core of its talent in the sophomore class; but it includes strong performers throughout. Several athletes are among the area’s top talents, including sophomore captain Sydney Floyd (200 & 400 MAPL champ) and senior Sadie McCabe, who is a nationally-ranked talent in the javelin. Floyd, along with soccer standout Susanna Soderman – she has a shot to break the school record in the triple jump – provide the Blues with their best 1-2 punch in the sprints for over a decade. The team also has several athletes who excel in multiple disciplines, including Kiki Lange, Lauren Fudala and Avery Liggon. The core of distance is improved from last year with newcomer Kiersten Dagg joining standouts Olivia Tullman and Chevelle Obuobi-Donkor. If Hill can address depth issues in the throws and hurdles, it will look to contend for another PAISSA title; its last victory came in 2017.”
Methacton
Coach: Rob Ronzano, 15th season (21st overall).
Last year’s record: 4-1 Pioneer Athletic Conference (Liberty Division).
Athletes to watch: Nickie Annelli, Sr., pole vault; Tina Prince, sr., middle distance; Cam Rodriguez, Sr., pole vault; Marina Daywalt, Jr., hurdles; Camille Dunham, Jr., jumps; Kate Evans, Jr., sprints/jumps; Sydney Hargrove, Jr., throws; Juliana Keenan, Jr., sprints/hurdles; Corrine Meyer, Jr., jumps; Sabrina Williams, Jr., hurdles; Madi Eastmure, So., hurdles/jumps; Danielle Hollidge, So., sprints; Esther Musonda, so., throw/jumps; Meredith O’Donnell, So., sprints/jumps; Rory Stein, So., pole vault.
Outlook: The Warriors’ roster is bolstered by freshmen Coco Dunham (jumps/sprints), Iris Gong (long distance), Lauren Haarmeyer (hurdles/middledistance), Shannon O’Brien (sprints), Devon Petrei (lonh distance) and Kristen Riddell (long distance). … Methacton comes into the upcoming campaign off a 2018 season that saw it win the PAC’s championship meet. That team was led last year by 14 seniors, including Amy Domenick, who won four gold medals at the PAC meet. … Rodriguez was the PAC’s pole vault champion in 2018. … “This year may be the youngest team in school history. More than 75% of the team is comprised of either freshmen or sophomores. With such a young squad, there will be learning experiences at every meet. The goal for the season is simply to improve every day. The Lady Warriors hope to stay competitive in each meet this season. The league is loaded with some very strong teams and a few of the best athletes in the stat.”
NORRISTOWN
Coach: Milton Williams, fourth season.
Last year’s record: 0-5 Pioneer Athletic Conference (Liberty Division).
Athletes to watch: Siani Sanders, Sr., sprints/middle distance; Teliyah James, Jr., sprints; Jessie Jurnee, Jr., sprints/middle distance.
Outlook: “Again, our depth on the girls side is not idea for the dual meet side,” Williams said, “however, we can make a significant impact on the district and state level with the talent pool we have. Teliyah James scored in the 60 dash and led the girls’ 4×200 relay to an eighth-place finish in the indoor state meet. Siani Sanders is looking to leave her mark in her senior campaign. We also have some nice developing young talent that will help us in relays and other events.”
Owen J. Roberts
Coach: Tim Marcoe, fourth season.
Last year’s record: 2-3 Pioneer Athletic Conference (Liberty Division).
Athletes to watch: Brinley Beveridge, Sr., jumps; Elizabeth Braaksma, Sr., jumps; Shaylan Cobb, Sr., sprints/hurdles; Bridget DiCesare, Sr., sprints/hurdles; Mackenzie Kurtz, Sr., distance; Lindsay LaFountain, Sr., throws; Michelle Mayk, Sr., sprints/hurdles; Gabi Tamburro, Sr., throws; Emma Torak, Sr., distance; Winona Burley-Desir, Jr., throws; Hannah Kopec, Jr., distance; Charley Lustig, Jr., distance; Emily Glasier, So., distance; Erin Hendershot, So., throws; Olivia Kqira, So., sprints/hurdles.
Outlook: The Wildcats’ roster is bolstered by freshmen Brooke Corson (jumps), Sarah Karaman and Calista Van Druff (distance) and Morgan Weaver (sprints/hurdles). … “The girls are looking forward to developing throughout the course of the season,” Marcoe said. “Our goal is to compete well at each meet this season and continually improve as the season progresses. We want to practice and race to the best of our ability each time, out so that we are as prepared for the championship season come May.”
Perkiomen School
Coach: Richard Irven.
Last year’s record: Not available.
Athletes to watch: Lucia Durand Deza, So., hurdles; Chardae Stone, So., sprints.
Outlook: “I expect to have a group of students in contention at the PAISAA state championships for medals again this year. I am hopeful for another good season.”
Perkiomen Valley
Coach: Joe Petsko, 13th season.
Last year’s record: 5-0 Pioneer Athletic Conference (Liberty Division).
Athletes to watch: Emma Alexy, Sr., distance; Kate Liotta, Sr., sprints; Katie Litak, Sr., pole vault; Kylie McDonnell, Sr., throws; Dorian Philpot, Sr., throws; Christina Warren, Sr., sprints/hurdles/jumps; Grace Ramsey, Jr., throws; Eva Rosales, Jr., throws; Kaitlyn Stankina, Jr., throws; Delaney O’Sullivan, So., distance.
Outlook: Warren followed her state-championship showing in the 2018 PIAA championship meet — a repeat gold in the triple jump, another championship in the 100-meter hurdles, and sixth in the long jump — with a second Pa. title in triple jump at the recent Indoor State championships. … Stankina is the PAC’s defending shot put champion. … “The Perkiomen Valley girls’ team looks forward to competing among the top teams in the PAC,” Petsko said, “Led by senior standout Christina Warren, the girls look to continue their winning ways. The team is anchored by a strong group of throwers led by Dorian Philpot and Kylie McDonnell. Delaney O’Sullivan and Emma Alexy will also continue the Viking tradition of strong distance performances as the team looks forward to another successful season.”
Phoenixville
Coach: Jess Conran, second season.
Last year’s record: 3-2 Pioneer Athletic Conference (Frontier Division).
Athletes to watch: Ava Labik, So., sprints; Madison O’Neill, So., distance; Alex Perrotto, So., sprints; Glidera Garner, Fr., sprints; McKenzie Hodge, Fr., sprints/jumps.
Outlook: “With the loss of a large senior class,” Conran said, “this year we look to rebuild the program. We are lucky enough to have a large freshman and sophomore class coming into this season. It will be fun and exciting to rebuild the program around those group of athletes.”
Pope John Paul II
Coach: Lisa Cagliola, fifth season.
Last year’s record: 2-2 Pioneer Athletic Conference (Frontier Division).
Athletes to watch: Mary Katherine Cleary, Sr., throws; Becca Schureman, Sr., throws; Katie Fallon, Jr., throws; Natalie Florig, Jr., middle distance; Julia Patterson, Jr., middle distance; Katie Schiele, Jr., sprints; Lily Costantini, So., hurdles; Heather Lesinski, So., sprints; Audrey Moroz, So., hurdles.
Outlook: The Golden Panthers’ roster is bolstered by freshmen Emily Morrison, Anna Patterson and Amaya Ransom (sprints); Gianna Cagliola and Tess Crossan (middle distance) and Kayla Croiger (jumps). … “Our girls team is young,” Cagliola said, “but will be well balanced across the events with an exciting group of freshmen who will be fun to watch going forward.”
Pottsgrove
Coach: Megan DeLena, third season.
Last year’s record: 5-0 Pioneer Athletic Conference (Frontier Division).
Athletes to watch: Jailyn Newman, Sr., throws; Rebecca Delp, Jr., hurdles; Calista Faust, so., long distance; Naomi Hillen, So., long distance; Janiya Jones, So., sprints; Hailey Strain, So., hurdles.
Outlook: DeLena takes over as head coach from Larry Rechtin, who remains in the program as an assistant. … “The girls team hopes to repeat its undefeated 2018 season,” DeLena said.
Pottstown
Coach: Michaela Johnson, third season.
Last year’s record: 2-3 Pioneer Athletic Conference (Frontier Division).
Athletes to watch: Bryonn Chimbinja, Jr., sprints; Amari Folly, Jr., hurdles/throws; Ariel Hill, Jr., throws; Aniya Hoskins, Jr., sprints/middle distance; Zoe Earle, So., sprints; Julianna Figueroa, So., sprints/middle distance/pole vault.
Outlook: The Trojans’ roster is bolstered by freshman Calista Daye (sprints). … “Looking forward to this season,” Johnson said. “We have some experienced athletes as well as some exciting new talent. Our relay team is working hard and ready to roll. Expecting the veteran athletes to break their PRs and some school records this year.”
Spring-Ford
Coach: Danielle Stauffer, sixth season.
Last year’s record: 3-2 Pioneer Athletic Conference (Liberty Division).
Athletes to watch: Carly Abrams, Sr., throws; Jaime Green, Sr., hurdles; Loren Hill, Sr., throws; Alex Kuklentz, Sr., throws; Ahila Moorthy, Sr., distance; Devin Rawley, Sr., jumps; Emily Smith, Sr., middle distance; Mikayla Beideman, Jr., throws; Caitlyn Gradwell, Jr., jumps; Rachel Rutkowski, Jr., throws; Nora Albertson, So., middle distance; Brooke Donoghue, So., distance; Madison Lebiedzinski, So., pole vault; Megan Seifert, So., middle distance; Lyndsay Yang, So., pole vault.
Outlook: The Rams’ roster is bolstered by up-and-comers like sophomore Maura Baker (throws) and freshmen Devin Britt (middle distance), Kailey Hudson (sprints), Claire Lanzisera (sprints), Jordan Littlejohn (hurdles), Jordan Lutz (middle distance) and Nene Monkonchu (sprints). … “The girls team has quite a bit of young talent with senior leadership in each event area,” Stauffer said. “The path to success is paved with hard work in the off season. We hope to see improvement in all our athletes. Our goal is to make PAC, challenge for a team title and advance as many as possible to districts and states.”
Upper Merion
Coach: Michelle Franko, first season.
Last year’s record: 3-1 Pioneer Athletic Conference (Frontier Division).
Athletes to watch: Jennifer Garcia, Sr., throws; Nicole Tyler, Sr., sprints; Claire Becker. Jr., hurdles; Halle Howard, Jr., jumps; Marissa Ostrich, Jr., jumps; Veronica Sanchez, Jr., distance; Aryana Chambers, So., hurdles; Izzy LeGendre, So., throws; Jada Peoples, So., sprints.
Samiyah Smythe – 9th grade – Sprints
Outlook: Franko replaces Michael Francis, who served as the Vikings’ head coach the past four seasons. … The Vikings’ roster is bolstered by freshman Samiyah Smythe (sprints). … “The Vikings hope to carry on success into the outdoor season,” Franko said. “Our main goal is continue to be competitive, and to send more athletes into the post-season competitions. We hope to continue to hold a winning record in the PAC dual meets as we accomplished in previous year. The athletes are aiming to improve their event performances and are excited to begin competing.”
Upper Perkiomen
Coach: Clayton Mowrer, second season.
Last year’s record: 0-5 Pioneer Athletic Conference (Frontier Division).
Athletes to watch: Abriana Gatto, Sr., sprints; AiYi Young, Jr., middle distance.
Outlook: “We are are most excited about our numbers for this year,” Mowrer said. “We have double the size of our team from the past few years which is always encouraging to see. We have a lot of new faces who we hope will help us out at the dual meets. Our goal for this year is to improve on our record and to get an athlete or two to Districts.”
