Mercury-Area Boys Track & Field Season Preview

BOYERTOWN

Head Coach: Jon Zellers, 5th season.

Last year’s record: 5-4 PAC-10.

Bears to watch: Sprints — Seniors: Adam Gehret, Dan Heller, Lawrence Garnett. Juniors: Max Miller, Mike Sesher; Hurdles — Senior: Titus Foglia. Mid-Distance/Distance — Seniors: Bryton Henry, Owen Moore, Kenny Branford, Tom Hemingway. Juniors: Max Miller, Mike Sesher. Sophomores: Dominic DeRafelo, Josh Endy, Justin Smyth. Jumps — Seniors: Adam Gehret, Jeff Olsen, Dan Heller. Sophomores: Frank Reinert, Quinton Roma. Freshman: Trevor Bellino. Throws — Seniors: Elijah Shalaway, Mike Banks, Darby Bauer, Keith Brough. Junior: Jake Fretz.

Outlook: The Bears suffered a big loss of senior leadership with the graduation of Dylan Eddinger (PAC-10 Champion, district medalist, state medalist and multiple school record holder), Dylan Weiser and Andrew Fronheiser. “This year I look to a solid group of senior leaders in Elijah Shalaway, Tom Hemingway, Adam Gehret, Dan Heller and Bryton Henry, along with underclassmen Max Miller, Mike Sesher and Josh Endy to lead us to success,” Zellers said. “We are a very young team that is depending on a strong group of seniors to get the underclassmen to step it up. Forty percent of the team consists of freshmen. Who will step up is the big question.

 

DANIEL BOONE

Co-Head Coaches: Bob Reismiller, first season. Russ Keith, fifth season.

Last year’s record: 4-3 Berks 1.

Blazers to watch: Sprints — Senior: Jared Gaspari. Junior: Tyler Brown. Sophomores: Branden Cody, Jason Cremi, Diondre Hall, Nasim Muhammad. Hurdles — Sophomores: Branden Cody, Diondre Hall. Mid-Distance/Distance — Seniors: Andrew Baer, Clay Brenner, Nathan Weaver. Juniors: Matt Glady, Sean Hannon, Zak Reagan, Diego Santos, Ethan Shane, Jack Zummo. Sophomores: Adam Davis, Josh Heffner, Ben Hofmanner, Zach Murray, Liam Summers, Jan Vasquez. Freshman: Jordan Gest. Jumps — Seniors: Angel Navedo. Sophomores: Jason Cremi, Diondre Hall, Nasim Muhammad. Throws — Seniors: Drew Kresge, Nick Hughes, Jared Gaspari, AJ Carr. Juniors: Ty Mueller, Jesse Enck, Sophomore: Tom Lynagh. Freshmen: Ryan Miller, Ben Watton.

Outlook: Both boys and girls teams are going through a transition season in 2016. Reismiller — who has served as the throws coach — has moved up to be co-head coach, replacing Matt Kade. Also, there will be two new assistant coaches in Pat Kelly and Mark Tobias, who will be responsible for coaching the sprinters, hurdlers and jumpers. Senior district qualifier Kresge headlines the returners for Daniel Boone.

 

HILL SCHOOL

Head coach: Bill Yinger, 13th season.

Last year’s record: N/A

Outlook: Blues are coming off an interesting season following the graduation of some top individual athletes. Prep schools usually feature some of the best individuals in the area, and this season should be no exception.

 

METHACTON

Head coach: Chris Shaffer, 1st season.

Last year’s record: 6-2-1 PAC-10.

Warriors to watch: Sprints — Senior: Nick Shaffer. Hurdles — Seniors: John Lozinak, Milan Harris, Chris McGinley. Mid-Distance/Distance — Senior: Jeff Kirshenbaum. Jumps — Senior: John Lozinak. Sophomore: Zach Gribosh. Throws — Seniors: John Koehler, Jimmy Keenan, Scott Stueben. Sophomore: Chase Reber.

Outlook: The Warriors are always deep and seem to be loaded with talent. State qualifier Shaffer should be one of the best around in the 200-meter dash. Lozinak is a tremendous all-around threat in several different events in running and jumping, making him a top individual scorer in every meet. Kirshenbaum is coming off an excellent cross country season as the PAC-10 champion and should headline the field of distance runners.

 

OWEN J. ROBERTS

Head coach: Eric Wentzel, 14th season.

Last year’s record: 3-6 PAC-10.

Wildcats to watch: Sprints — Senior: Aaron Ott. Juniors: Taurean Lee, Brandon Ott, Quinn Poley. Sophomores: Matt Pron, Corey Wright. Mid-Distance/ Distance — Seniors: Ethan Conway, Abe Van Helmond. Junior: Conor Murray. Sophomore: Liam Conway. Jumps ­— Sophomores: Vincent Polignano, Shyeed Mahy, Nick Dibella. Throws — Senior: Jack Heft. Sophomores: Nick Cassa, Manuel Burgos

Outlook: The Wildcats have a strong core of distance runners with Ethan Conway, Liam Conway, Van Helmond and Griffin, but Owen J. Roberts should be able to put points on the board in just about every event.

 

PERKIOMEN VALLEY

Head coach: Joe Petsko, 10th season.

Last year’s record: 9-0 PAC-10.

Vikings to watch: Sprints ­— Seniors: Wilmot Osei-Bonsu, Darnell Randall. Junior: Brandon Tromello. Hurdles — Junior: Evan Heimbach. Mid-Distance/Distance — Seniors: Matt Town, Jeff Montgomery, Tommy Armstrong, Jon Adams. Sophomore: Adam Styer. Jumps — Seniors: Darrell Randall, Chris Tyrel, Dan Orge. Pole Vault ­— Junior: Matt Soffera, Throws — Seniors: Cullen O’Connor, Joey Lofton. Juniors: Vaughn Stolzer, Jake Degenshein.

Outlook: “This year’s boys team features a lot of senior leadership and looks to remain one of the top teams in the PAC-10, following up on last spring’s perfect run through the league slate,” said Petsko. “Darnell Randall has made a name for himself on the state level this winter in the high jump and will be a key contributor to their success. The seniors will be looking for underclassmen to make names for themselves as the team looks to build off of last year’s undefeated dual meet season.”

 

PHOENIXVILLE

Head coach: Justin Winters, 3rd season.

Last year’s record: 2-7 PAC-10.

Phantoms to watch: Sprints — Senior: Michael Stokes. Junior: Wesley Snider. Sophomore: Johnavin County. Hurdles — Seniors: Andrew Tran, Brandon Chang, Eric Teunissen. Mid-Distance/Distance — Seniors: Sean McGinnis, Mike Shaw, Liam Darcy, Kevin Colbert, Dylan Smiley. Sophomore: Christian Schaaf. Jumps — Senior: Michael Stokes. Sophomore: Christian Schaaf. Throws — Junior: Mitchell Coll.

Outlook: McGinnis is expected to close out his fine career with a big year after advancing to states in the 800 meters last year. He, Smiley and Shaw had good seasons in cross country for the Phantoms and should help lift the distance runners this spring, too. Stokes is a solid athlete who competes in the sprints and jumps.

 

POPE JOHN PAUL II

Head coach: Lisa Cagliola, 1st season.

Last year’s record: 2-7 PAC-10.

Golden Panthers to watch: Sprints — Senior: Ryan Nicholas. Juniors: Joe Kleinot, Matt Lohr. Hurdles — Senior: Kyle D’Ambrosio. Junior: Matt Lohr. Mid-Distance/ Distance — Seniors: Antonio Decena, Nick Kripp, Andrew Thomer, Nick Yerger. Junior: Robert Erwin. Jumps — Seniors: Kyle D’Ambrosio, Tyler Gnoza. Junior: Joe Kleino. Throws — Senior: Liam McCloskey. Junior: Nick Mead.

Outlook: Cagliola takes over for 40-year veteran head coach Ed Dobry, who retired after successful tenures at both St. Pius X and Pope John Paul II. However, the Golden Panthers should maintain their good tradition in track & field with their ability to score in a variety of events.

 

POTTSGROVE

Head coach: Larry Rechtin, 27th season.

Last year’s record: 6-2-1 PAC-10.

Falcons to watch: Sprints — Senior Nodin Housel. Sophomores: Malik Garner, Avery Grant. Hurdles — Senior: Christian Pace. Mid-Distance/Distance — Seniors: Joey Drager, Ky’lif Underwood. Juniors: Michael Neeson, Nate Yuchimiuk. Sophomore: Cole Goldcamp. Freshmen: Mitchell Antenucci, Jay Sisko. Jumps — Sophomores: Mike Ziegler, Hysheem Robinson. Freshman: Jared Smith. Throws — Seniors: Madison Kelsey, Jeff Stewart.

Outlook: “We graduated a strong class last year that were able to get us to the league’s Final Four,” Rechtin said. “It will be very tough for us to match that this year. But we are very young and have some bright spots that we hope to develop. We look forward to the season and watching this team grow as young men and athletes. We should be very competitive against the like-sized schools in the league, but will have a tough time matching the depth that the larger schools can bring to the meets.”

 

POTTSTOWN

Head coach: Mary Ann Hill, 25th season.

Last year’s record: 3-6 PAC-10.

Trojans to watch: Sprints — Seniors: Brandon Tinson, Julian Martin. Sophomores: Darlington Davidheiser, Aaron Diamond, Emmanuel Toussaint, Anthony Wiggins. Hurdles — Junior: Brian Perez, Sophomores: Jamal Adams, Martin Metzger. Mid-Distance/Distance — Seniors: Justin Beasley-Turner, Paul Sabold, Donta Smith, John Jefferson. Junior: Kevin Knittle. Sophomores: Michael Baker, Jacob Bosko, Khalif Burgess, Reilly Dugan, Shane Langevin, Nichola Wilson. Pole Vault — Seniors: Nick Parson, Justin Stewert. Sophomores: Alex Caballero, A.J. Ecker. Throws — Seniors: Shane Dugan, John Johnson IV. Juniors: Ernest McCalvin, Nyles Rome. Sophomores: Dimitri Douglas, William Foster.

Outlook: Hill figures the Trojans should improve their record this year in the PAC-10 with a large group of experienced seniors. Pottstown has a nice blend of solid athletes throughout its lineup covering all events.

 

SPRING-FORD

Head coach: Danielle Stauffer, 2nd season.

Last year’s record: 8-1 PAC-10, Five-time defending PAC-10 Champions.

Rams to watch: Sprints — Senior: Trey Jarmon. Juniors: Stone Scarcelle, Chris Carbone. Hurdles — Seniors: Matt Breish, Trey Piland. Sophomore: Stephen Chapman.    Mid-Distance/Distance — Seniors: John Conner, Colin Crosbie, Chris Fennimore, Tyler Uba. Junior: Patrick Power. Sophomores: Zach Smith, Jacob McKenna, JT Clark. Jumps — Juniors: Casey Callahan, Eric Page. Pole Vault — Senior: Josh Darlington. Junior: Chad Smiley. Throws — Senior: Tim Rudderow. Juniors: Chris Aldinger, Brett Aldinger.

Outlook: Rams are going after their sixth straight PAC-10 title after losing a lot of standout seniors especially in the throwing area. Rams have some depth especially in the mid distance/distance areas which they hope will carry them this season. “We have a large group of boys with a lot of track experience,” Stauffer said, “We are looking forward to our first meet on March 30th to give all an opportunity to see what they can accomplish. Our goals are to compete for the championship and advance as many as possible to districts and states. Our main goal is to work hard and have fun through individual and team achievement.”

 

UPPER PERKIOMEN

Head coach: Byron Hecker, 1st season

Last year’s record: 0-9 PAC-10.

Indians to watch: Sprints — Seniors: Elijah Soto, Barry Singleton. Mid-Distance/Distance- Juniors: Eli Barker, Sam Daub. Jumps — Seniors: Matt Eldenhurst, Elijah Soto, Christian Zera. Throws — Seniors: Elijah Soto. Christian Zera, Julian Liguaro, Andrews Frantz.

Outlook: The Indians should continue their climb up the ladder in the PAC-10. Soto should provide a lot of point production in the sprints, jumps and javelin throw.