Reporter-Area track and field teams look to hit the ground running

With plenty of talent concentrated in the sprints and hurdles as well as lots of potential in several other events, the Christopher Dock girls could be in the mix for a District One Class AA three-peat this spring.

“This could be another very good season,” coach Tim Eger said. “There are state-caliber athletes in many events. The relay teams will be special.

“We are returning all of the girls from the state-medaling 4x800m relay team, the 4x400m relay will look to improve on excellent times already posted this winter, and the 4x100m relay is just looking for a fourth member to be extremely competitive.”

With proven performers like seniors Niki Clements (pole vault/sprints) and Maddison Landis (distance), the Pioneers have valuable experience out in the field and on the track.

“As always,” Eger said, “the goal is to put athletes in the best position to get qualified for states. A number of individuals and relay teams could make the trip to Shippensburg.”

Cheltenham took home both the boys and girls state titles last spring in Class AAA and will be aiming for the same this year.

Said Panther girls coach Kelly Jensen: “We have a balanced team that can score points across the spectrum of events. We hope to repeat as state champions if we work hard and stay healthy.”

At North Penn, one legend replaces another, as coach Jim Crawford Jr. has retired after 41 seasons with the Lady Knights, with former longtime boys coach Richard Swanker — recently inducted into the PA Track Hall of Fame — taking over at the helm.

Springfield-Montco, meanwhile, should once again be a team to watch in Class AA.

“We’ve had multiple medalists at states for more than two decades and we should do it again, but it’s always been with a rather safe approach,” coach Chris Mazurek said. “The relays may come together along the way, but I expect our elite will focus on their own events during the postseason.

“Looking toward the future, the youth on this team is outstanding,” the coach said.

Central Bucks West’s Maddie Villalba goes for her third straight state title in the 800 while Souderton Area’s Moira O’Malley is coming off a state-title season indoors in the high jump.

Both the Wissahickon boys and North Penn girls try to duplicate undefeated seasons of a year ago while the Pennridge boys come into the season as defending Suburban One League Continental Conference champs.

“After coming off a successful winter season, when we placed fifth in the state at the Pa. Indoor State Championship Meet, we look forward to competing in one of the toughest — if not the toughest — leagues in the state,” coach Bob Hosier said. “The competition we will meet on a weekly basis will help prepare us for the Saturday invitationals that give us the opportunity to qualify for the District One meet.

“We currently have 74 boys on the roster. As most other teams, we have a lot of new boys on the team and it will take some time to get them in the proper events to help our team.”

Following is a team-by-team look at the area.

Boys

Central Bucks West

Coach: Greg Wetzel (fifth season)
Last year’s record: 6-1, second at SOL Continental Championships
Key performers lost: Andrew Baker; Brian Miller; Josh Haschets; Ian Davies; DhungJoo Kim
Key returners: Christian Bobowicz, Jr., sprints; Corey Cepeda, Jr., throws; Jake Claricurzio, So., sprints; Rock Fortna, Sr., middle distance; Noah Griffin, Jr., jumps/hurdles; Brian Iatarola, Sr., distance/jumps; Joe Manetta, Jr., sprints; Ryan McIlhinney, Sr., sprints; Erik Metz, Sr., jumps; Carter Zerweck, Sr., sprints
Others to watch: Luke Fehrman; Alec Hofer; Ryan Walsh; Declan McDonald; Brian Baker; Jacob Schiela; Ben Smullen; Brian Mass; Ben Bunch; Evan Washington
Strengths: Horizontal jumps; relays; sprints; middle distance; distance
Question marks: Discus; intermediate hurdles; pole vault
Opening meet: Tuesday, March 29, at Central Bucks South

Cheltenham

Coach: Robert Beale (36th season)
Last year’s record: 6-1; second at SOL American Championships; District One Class AAA Champions; PIAA Class AAA State Champions
Key performers lost: Christian Brissett (Iowa), sprints, six-time state champion; John Lewis (Clemson), New Balance National Champion and state record holder (800), seven state medals; Saahir Bethea (South Plains Junior College), three-time state champion; Cordell Richardson, medalist at indoor/outdoor states (high hurdles) and gold medalist in 4×2 and 4×4
Key returners: Maxwell Cavallucci, Jr., javelin; Andrew Crosby, Jr., 800/300 intermediate hurdles; William Griffen, Jr., 1,600/3,200
Others to watch: Antonio Mosquera, Jr., hurdles; Wolfgang Schandbacher, Sr., 800/1,600; Darren Giles, So., 400/800; Charles Wilson, Sr., 100/200
Strengths: Distance/middle distance
Opening meet: Saturday, PA Track Classic, at Plymouth-Whitemarsh

Christopher Dock 

Coach: Tim Eger (14th season)
Last year’s record: 6-1, third at the BAL’s; third in District One Class AA
Key performers lost: None
Key returners: Colin Bernd, Sr., distance; Michael Gunden, Sr., distance; Timothy Kennel, So., distance; Austin Kratz, So., sprints/long jump; Alex Martin, So., throws; Cole Rupert, Sr., pole vault; Josh Wolfe, Sr., hurdles
Others to Watch: Ian Anderson, So., middle distance; Isaiah Denlinger, So., middle distance; Nate Kerns, Jr., throws; Jeremey Moyer, Fr., distance; Ethan Schimek, Jr., javelin; Joseph Thompson, Sr., middle distance/javelin
Strengths: Sprints/hurdles
Question Marks: Throws/jumps/sprints

Coach Eger says: “This season, there will be some athletes and events that will shine brightly but team depth may still be an issue. Hopefully there will be some nice surprises as the season progresses. Dock will be competitive in both the league and the district but at the state meet, they are hopeful that a few of these talented young men can score some team points on the biggest stage.”

Lansdale Catholic

Coach: Keith Spiers (ninth season)
League: Philadelphia Catholic League; District 12; Class AA
Key performers lost: Andrew Kobylarz, sprints/relays; Marlen Fenstermacher, long/triple jump/sprint relays
Key returners: James Corrigan, So., 400/800/relays; Nick Kraynak, Sr., 800/1,600/relays; Matthew Noti, Jr., 400/relays; Andrew Danielson, Jr., 800/1,600/relays
Others to watch: Tim Zwierzewski, Sr., 400/800/relays; Will Rex, Jr., 800/1,600/throws
Strengths: Distance/middle distance.
Question Marks: Depth.

Coach Spiers says: “The boys are in a continued state of rebuilding and must depend on its key returners for some positive performances that could lead a few to place well within the PCL and District 12 AA.”

La Salle

Coach: Greg Bielecki (sixth season)
Last year: Philadelphia Catholic League Champions; District 12 Champions
Key performers lost: Grant Jones; Eddie Eason; Tabriz Bumpas; Sean Princivalle; Stefan Sutton; Mike Phayre
Key returners: Alex Sislo, Jr., jumps; Charles Headen, Sr., sprints; Winston Eubanks, Sr., sprints; Chris Della Donna, Sr., sprints; Kyle Johnson, Sr., sprints; Peter Nelson, Jr., sprints; Patrick Grant, Sr., distance; Evan Addison, So., distance; Brendan Price, Jr., distance; Eddie Goebel, Sr., distance; Steve Paul, Jr., distance; Frank Livolsi, Sr., distance; Noah Walker, Jr., throws; Mike Wells, Jr., jumps; Jon Squadrito, So., jumps; Luke Crawford, Jr., jumps
Others to watch: Dan Capreri, Jr., sprints; Ryan O’Neill, So., sprints; Phil DiFiore, Sr., jumps; Mac Costonis, Fr., distance; Matt Zilligen, Fr., distance
Strengths: Sprints/jumps

Coach Bielecki says: “The 2016 Explorers are really a very well-rounded team. With Headen and Eubanks leading a very strong and deep sprint corps, Sislo leads a jumps crew that should score big, Walker is a great talent in the throws, and then the Distance group of Grant, Addison, Price, Livolsi, Goebel, and Paul should score in all events. With their commitment to the process this La Salle team could be special.”

Opening meet: April 1, Colonial Relays at The College of William & Mary

Lower Moreland

Coach: Dick Rapson (35th season)
Last year’s record: 4-3
Key returners: Greg Gallagher, Sr., distances; Matt Gallagher, Sr., sprints/jumps; Nolan Stein, Sr., sprints; Tim McCreesh, Jr., distance; Nick McCreesh, Jr., distance; Cobe Wiggins, Jr., jumps/hurdles; Andrew Nguy, Jr., jumps/hurdles; Will Yang, Jr., throws; Justin Barcusky, Jr., throws
Others to watch: Fred Shub, So., throws; James Ralph, So, throws
Strengths: Hurdles/jumps
Question marks: Shot put/400

Coach Rapson says: “We have a lot of new guys who will make us better as the season goes on.”

Opening meet: April 5, at Christopher Dock

Methacton

Head Coach: Chris Shaffer (first season)
Last year’s record: 6-2-1 in the PAC 10
Key performers lost: Matt Schultz, middle distance; Adam Friend, pole vault; Donte Thomas, sprints, long/triple jump; Akeem Walcott, sprints; Joe Collis, sprints; Tom Fizano, distance
Key returners: Nick Shaffer, Sr., sprints; Griffin Bilicic, Sr., sprints; Kareem Eleskandarani, Sr., sprints; Jim Keenan, Sr., sprints; John Lozinak, Sr., sprints; Ihsaan Yancey, Sr., sprints; Zack Gribosh, So., sprints; Max Jones, So., sprints; John Lozinak, Sr., hurdles; Milan Harris, Sr., hurdles; Chris McGinley, Sr., hurdles; Alex Yablonski, So., hurdles; Chris Huber, So., hurdles; Jeff Kirshenbaum, Sr., distance; Evan Cost, Sr., distance; Nick Defilippis, Jr., distance; Josh Brycki, Jr., distance; Aiden O’Leary, So., distance; Mike Clark, So., distance; Justin Leggin, So., distance; John Lozinak, Sr., jumps; Stephan Savage, Sr., jumps; Max Jones, So., jumps; Zach Gribosh, So., jumps; Jon Koehler, Sr., throws; Scott Steuben, Sr., throws; Glenn Merskey, Sr., throws; Alex Nicoletti, Sr., throws; Chase Reber, Jr., throws; Karan Singh, Jr., throws; Pat Maloney, So., throws
Others to watch: Ryan May, Jr., throws; John Keenan, So., sprints/jumps; Miles Hoven, So., distance; Will Roese, Fr., sprints/jumps; Will Rebert, Fr., distance; Sean Ritchie, Fr., distance; Tom Chimes, Fr., distance; Garret Campbell, Fr., distance; Garret McPhillips, Fr., distance; Leland Merskey, Fr., throws; Tonee Ellis, Fr., throws

Coach Shaffer says: “I really like the makeup of this team and I have been very pleased with the team’s work ethic and intensity. We have one of the largest group of underclassmen we have seen in years that will be experiencing the PAC 10 for the first time and seeing how they respond to the pressure of each competition will be something to watch.”

Opening meet: March 30th, vs. Pottsgrove

North Penn

Coach: Jay Jones (11th season)
Last year’s record: 2-5 in the SOL Continental
Key performers lost: Janeel Solanki; Andrew Himes
Key returners: Dante Watson, Sr., sprints; Brett Fenstermacher, Sr., hurdles/jumps; Elgin Horton, Jr., sprints; Greg Metz, Jr., throws
Others to watch: Joe Spallinger, Sr., sprints; Brendan O’Toole, So., distance; Dan Santiago, So., distance
Strengths: Relays
Question marks: A lot of youth/inexperience
Opening meet: March 29th, at Hatboro-Horsham

Pennridge

Coach: Bob Hosier (33rd season)
Last year’s record: 5-2, first at the SOL Continental Championships
Key returners: Owen Eisen, Sr., sprints/hurdles/jumps; Matt Firuta, Sr., sprints/hurdles/jumps; Cayce Giblin, Sr., sprints/hurdles/jumps; Dylan Henry, Sr., sprints/hurdles/jumps; Pat O’Brien, Sr., sprints/hurdles/jumps; Ben Martin, Sr., sprints/hurdles/jumps; Angel Rufasto, Sr., sprints/hurdles/jumps; Ryan Benner, Sr., sprints/hurdles/jumps; Solomon Araneta, Sr., distance; Tucker Desko, Sr., distance; Jeff Espinal, Sr., distance; Edison Fowler, Sr., distance; James Masgai, Sr., distance; Taylor McManus, Sr., distance; Sam Schaeffer, Sr., distance; Nico Araneta, Jr., sprints/hurdles/jumps; Alex Dimon, Jr., sprints/hurdles/jumps; Austin Howell, Jr., sprints/hurdles/jumps; Cody Kline, Jr., sprints/hurdles/jumps; Matt Ludlow, Jr., sprints/hurdles/jumps; Matt Moyer, Jr., sprints/hurdles/jumps; Carson VanHart, Jr., sprints/hurdles/jumps; Jared Pleibel, Jr., distance; Andrew Saville, Jr., distance; Riley LaRiviere, Jr., throws; Griffin McMann, Jr., throws; Sam Moyer, Jr., throws; Josh Pinkney, So., sprints/hurdles/jumps; John Nash, So., sprints/hurdles/jumps
Key performers lost: Jake Woolridge, throws; Quinn Tompkins, sprints/hurdles/jumps; Cody Dillinger, sprints/hurdles/jumps; Alex Masgai, distance; Justin Musco, distance; Dan Williams, distance
Others to Watch: Luke Eissler, Fr., distance; Matt Eissler, Fr., distance
Strengths: Distance; relays; horizontal jumps; sprints
Question marks: Vertical jumps; pole vault
Opening meet: Saturday, at the Pirate Invitational, at Palisades

Souderton Area

Coach: John Donahue (eighth season)
Last year’s record: 5-2 in the SOL Continental
Key performers lost: Chadd Ziegler; Cody Wild; Ryan Price; D.J. Rostron; Nico Johnson; Dave McDonough
Key returners: Colin Harker, Sr., hurdles/sprints: Shamar Jenkins, Jr., jumps; Connor McMenamin, Jr., distance: Steven Scott, Jr., hurdles/sprints: Khaleef Blackwood, Jr., jumps/sprints: Brendan Mills, Jr., sprints; Joe Breen, Jr., distance; Nick Swatchik, Jr., middle distance
Strengths: Hurdles/jumps
Question marks: Throws
Opening meet: March 29 at Central Bucks East

Springfield-Montco

Coach: Chris Mazurek (15th season)
Last year’s record: 0-7 in the SOL American
Key performers lost: Chris Stone, jumps/javelin, eight-time state medalist; Sean Stovall, distance, state qualifier in the 3,200; Kyle Wyche, sprints; Martin Worgan, sprints
Key returners: Aaron Morris, Sr., 800, state medalist; Brennan Grimes, Sr., sprints/hurdles; Ben Fisher, Sr., sprints; Eric Westray, Jr., sprints
Others to watch: Marcus Purnell, Sr., 400; Eddie Goldsmith, So., throws; Toby King, So., throws; Aaron Hagmeier, So., throws; D’Andre Smoot, So., throws; Ryan Jackson, So., throws
Strengths: Depth at throws; elite level individuals from sprints to middle distance
Question marks: Relays
Opening meet: March 29 at Upper Dublin

Upper Dublin

Co-coaches: Floyd Dinkins (34th season) and Paul Vandergrift
Last season: 5-2, third at the SOL American Championships
Key performers lost: Kieran Moore, shot put, state medalist; Tom Henning, 4×4 state qualifier; Matt Knowles, 4×4 state qualifier
Key returners: David Bryant, sprints; Kyle McMullen, sprints; George Weems, sprints; Phil Butler, sprints; Adam Simon, sprints/middle distance; Riley Hannan, distance; Troy Green, distance; Drew Ilic, distance; Brian Kaufmann, long/triple jump; Alex Liu, pole vault; Kyle Markley, pole vault
Others to watch: Mike Henning, sprints; Branden Vargas, sprints

Coach Dinkins says: “The team has high expectations for another winning season. We have a large number of young athletes to work with to start our year.”

Opening meet: March 26 at PW Track Classic

Wissahickon

Coach: Don Betterly (21st season)
Last season’s record: 7-0, first at SOL American Championships
Key performers lost: Kyuande Johnson, distance; Darren James, sprints; Malik Gibbs, jumps/hurdles; Max McCullough, javelin; Anthony Ciliberto, javelin
Key returnees: Darien Williams, Sr., sprints (100 state medalist); Rahsheed Wright, So., sprints (third fastest freshman in the state last season); Andy Harman, Sr., distance; Cam Christopher, Jr., distance; Lukas Marselis, Sr., distance; Ben Hoyer, So., distance; Ethan Dolberry-Wescott, hurdles/sprints (district finalist); Marlyn Johnson, hurdles/sprints; Ahmir Johnson, jumps (indoor state qualifier in the triple jump); Darryl Baldwin, throws; Yondell Dudley, shot put (school record holder)
Others to Watch: Elek Hohn, pole vault; Justin Cooper, shot put
Strengths: Distance; sprints; throws; relays
Question Marks: Jumps; hurdles; overall depth

Coach Betterly says: “Finding the right events for 48 freshmen and sophmores will be challenging, but we have a core of experienced athletes which should help carry us.”

Opening meet: March 26th at the PW Track Classic

Girls

Central Bucks South

Coach: Loretto Fantini (first season)
Last year’s record: 2-5 in the SOL Continental
Key returners: Jasmine Noble, Sr., sprints; Lydia Fielding, Jr., sprints; Val Przekop, Jr., high jump; Nancy McGrath, So., distance; Courtney Knerr, Jr., pole vault
Strengths: Sprints/relays
Question marks: Youth/inexperience at some spots

Coach Fantini says: “We have a very underclassmen-heavy roster on the track and in the Jumps. Roughly 85 percent of the team has been training since November so they’re excited to start their competitive seasons.”

Opening meet: March 29th at Central Bucks West

Central Bucks West

Coach: Kiki Bell (13th season)
Last year’s record: 5-2 in the SOL Continental
Key performers lost: Olivia Berry, middle distance; Lindsey Gerlach, distance
Key returners: Maddie Villalba, Sr., middle distance; Hannah Sexton, Jr., jumps/hurdles; Aly Logue, Jr., sprints; Quinn Shifler, Jr., sprints; Allison Walsh, Jr., sprints; Vanessa Barrow, So., middle distance; C.C. Davies, Sr., middle distance
Strengths: Villalba will be gunning for her third straight Class AAA state gold in the 800.

Cheltenham

Coach: Kelly Jensen (ninth season)
Last year: First at SOL American Championships; District One Class AAA Champions; PIAA Class AAA State Champions
Key performers lost: Ciara Leonard (Virginia), hurdles State Champion, state record holder; Nicole Burke (Morgan State); Janiel Slowly (Bucknell)
Key returners: Chanel Brissett, Jr., 100 State Champion, 100 Hurdles (state record holder in 60 hurdles), 200, 4×100 relay; Alexis Crosby, So., 400 (third in the state as a freshman); Madison Langley-Walker, So., 300/100 hurdles, long jump State Champion, triple jump State Runner-Up; Arianna Wallace, So.,; Sarah Richart, Sr., distances; M.G. Rittler, So., distances; Dior Alston, Sr., 400/800; Ashley Alexander, Sr., throws
Other to watch: Bria Barnes, Fr., sprints; Brielle Lewis, So., sprints; Kai Williams, Fr., throws; Ciani Fleming, Fr., sprints; Lila Harmer, So., distances
Strengths: Sprints
Opening meet: March 29th at Wissahickon

Christopher Dock

Coach: Tim Eger (14th Season)
Last year’s record: 6-0, first at the BAL’s; District One Class AA Champions
Key performers lost: Bailey Kratz, long jump/sprints; Tabitha Miller, jumps/hurdles; Olivia Seavy, jumps/hurdles
Key returners: Haley Anderson, Sr., hurdles/triple jump; Lindsay Bernd, So., middle distance; Niki Clements, Sr., pole vault/sprints; Sabrina Demetrius, Jr., throws; Maddison Landis, Sr., distance; McKenzie Swartley, So., distance; Abbie Woods, So., hurdles/jumps
Others to Watch: Lael Flores, Fr., distance; Jamie Kolb, So., middle distance; Camryn McCloskey, So., distance; Julianna Rotelle, Jr., middle distance; Kate Strickland, Fr., middle distance; Becca Timmerman, Sr., sprints
Strengths: Middle distance; distance; hurdles
Question Marks: Jumps/sprints

Gwynedd-Mercy

Coach: Larry Wilson (40th season)
Key performers lost: Sidney Hirowka, middle distance; Madi Ginaddi, sprints
Key returners: Maggie McGuire, Sr., middle distance; Rachel Kohler, Sr., sprints; Mary Casey, Sr., hurdles/sprints; Erica DeCandido, Sr., sprints/triple jump; Stephanie Szekely, Jr., distance; Kim Sanders, Jr., jumps; Catherine Peele, Jr., middle distance
Strengths: Sprints; middle distance
Outlook for the season: The Monarchs should once again be in the hunt for the Catholic Academies League crown.

Lansdale Catholic

Coach: Keith Spiers (ninth season)
League/classification: Philadelphia Catholic League; District 12 Class AAA
Key performers lost: Elizabeth Reid, 100/200/400/relays/jumps
Key returners: Mikayla Beaver, Sr., 800/1,600/relays; Shannon Cikowski, Sr., 400/800/relays; Kayla Connelly, Jr., 800/1,600/3,200/relays; Alex Varallo, Jr., long jump/hurdles/relays
Others to watch: Lena Staropoli, Jr., 200/400/relays; Katlyn Boyle, So., 200/long jump/relays; Hannah Beck, Sr., 1,600/3,200/relays
Strengths: Middle distance; distance

Coach Spiers says: “Kayla Connelly, having come off outstanding cross country and indoor seasons, will lead the middle and long distance runners and has also been the District 12 cross country champion for three years in Class AA. The LC girls field their largest team in the past nine seasons, with 33 on the roster. They could have their strongest overall showing within the PCL and District 12 AAA with the additional talent from last year now juniors and a year older in experience.”

North Penn

Coach: Richard Swanker (first season)
Last year’s record: 7–0, first at the SOL Continental Championships; third in District One Class AAA; third in PIAA Class AAA
Key performers lost: Stephanie Bresadola; Leiana Dean; Allison King; Ali Valenti; Sarah Wiener
Key returners: Uche Nwogwugwu, Jr., 400/high jump/triple jump/4X800/4X400; Phoebe Clowser, Sr., 1,600/3,200/800/ 4X800; Mikaela Vlasic, Jr., 1,600/800/4X800/4X400; Ariana Gardizy, So., 1,600/3,200/800/4X800; Olivia Dyer, So., 1,600/3,200/800/4X800; Jessica Brenfleck, Jr., 100/200/400/4×100/4×400; Kat Stevenson, Jr., 100/200/400/4×100/4X400; Lauren Follis, Jr., hurdles/pole vault/4X400; Morgan Kull, Sr., pole vault/hurdles; Allison Sharkey, Sr., pole vault/hurdles; Allison Williams, Sr., long/triple jump; Sydnee Towns, Sr., throws; Chidubem Anyanwu, Sr., throws
Others to watch: Natalie Kwortnik, Fr., 100/200/400/800/jumps; Sophia Broadhurst, Fr., 100/200/400

Coach Swanker says: “We have a very strong team, as we placed second at Indoor States, breaking four North Penn school records.”

Opening meet: Saturday at PW Track Classic

Pennridge

Coach: Bill Smith (16th season)
Last year’s record: 3-4, third at the SOL Continental Championships; sixth in District One Class AAA; fifth in PIAA Class AAA
Key performers lost: Marissa Sheva; Ariania Przybylowski; Taylor Chapman
Key returners: Jessica Milligan, Sr., hurdles/sprints; Lexsey Bennington, Sr., hurdles; Ilease Wanamaker, Sr., throws; Zoe Williams, Sr., sprints; Shannon Coache, Sr., throws; Monika Brill, Jr., distance; Margot Brill, Jr., middle distance; Juliet Ryan, Jr., middle distance; Carly Musco, So., middle distance/hurdles; Ashley Groeber, Fr., sprints; Kouri Peace, Fr., sprints
Others to watch: Sarah Williams, Fr., hurdles; Tori Patterson, jumps

Coach Smith says: “We have numbers this year — 35-plus ninth ninth graders. We should have good relays and we have a great sprinter in Kouri. We will have to see how we grow with a younger team.”

Opening meet: March 26th at Palasades Invitational

Souderton Area

Coach: Mike Feliciani (fourth season)
Last year’s record: 4-3, tied for fourth at the SOL Championships
Key performers lost: Jackie Parry, conference champion in the shot put; Nikki O’Donnell (Penn State), conference runner-up in the 400; Micayla Brodish (NYAC), hurdles; Sarah Hershey (throws), third in the javelin and fifth in the discus at the SOL Continental’s
Key returners: Ellie Bell, Sr., distance; Emily Bonaventure, So., 800/mileSprints: Cara Jackson, Jr., sprints; Sue Frustino, Jr., sprints; Sydney Braeunig, So., sprints; Taylor Mortiz, So., sprints; Moira O’Malley, Jr., high jump; Chantell Bobak, So., triple jump; Abby Way, Sr., throws; Hannah Derstine, Jr., throws; Caoilainn McKenna, Jr., shot put; Cara Romaniello, Jr., shot put
Others to watch: Sadie Stehr, Fr., distance

Coach Feliciani says: “The team really ‘gets it’ when it comes to training and what working hard does for performance. Our team is still pretty young in some of the skill events. This will be a challenge that the girls will enjoy tackling.”

Opening meet: March 29th vs. Central Bucks East

Springfield-Montco

Coach: Chris Mazurek (15th season)
Last year’s record: 0-7
Key performers lost: Olivia Blackton; Anna DiJenno; Sharra Hardy; Tara Murphy; Jasmine Small
Key returners: Sydni Stovall, Jr., five-time state medalist in the 400 and 800; Victoria Ebner, Jr., middle distance; Katherine Nelson, Jr., distance/high jump; Brenna Kelly, Sr., throws; Alanna Kelly, So., sprints; Brytney Philbert, So., sprints; Chelsea Wyche, Jr., sprints; Maeve Corbett, So., throws; Jenny Binet, So., jumps
Others to watch: Josie Anderson, Jr., middle distance; Gwyn Cooney, Jr., distance; Kyra Haugh, distance/pole vault; Megan Nelson, Fr., middle distance; Emily Cooney, Fr., middle distance
Strengths: Middle distance; throws
Question marks: Avoiding injuries in the sprints; depth in the throws

Coach Mazurek says: “For the first time, perhaps ever, the Spartan girls should field every event in a track meet on a regular basis. With such small numbers over the years, it’s been hard to find specialists in some of the more technical events, but this year we’re stocked with athletes who are looking forward to branching out into areas such as hurdles, triple jump, javelin, and pole vault.”

Opening meet: March 29 vs. Upper Dublin

Wissahickon

Coach: Heidi Butt (fifth season)
Key performers lost: Anna Morgan; Anna Chiodo Ortiz; Autumn Hair
Key returners: Lotte Black, Sr., middle distance; Becca Hong, Sr., triple/long jump; Hayley Ross, So., middle distance; Rachel Coleman, Jr., sprints; Cala Lejman, Jr., pole vault; Kirsten Haney, Sr., sprints; Fiona Kelly, Sr., sprints; Tricia Cappelli, Sr., sprints
Others to watch: Alexis Smith, So., sprints; Lieke Black, Fr., sprints/hurdles; Frieda Meiby, Fr., hurdles
Strengths: 4×4
Question marks: Skilled events
Opening meet: March 29th vs. Cheltenham

Follow Kev Hunter on Twitter @khunter10