Reporter/Times Herald Area Girls Track Previews

North Penn comes into the spring striding towards a Suburban One League Continental Conference title defense.
Coach Brandon Turner says: “We are coming off a good indoor season and have a pretty talented team. The team has a lot of experience. If we can get healthy and stay focused I think we should have a successful season.”
Dock has its eyes on another District 1-2A crown.
“The district is probably the most competitive it has been years,” coach Tim Eger said. “Defending the league and district title will not be easy. At first glance we look young and inexperienced, but we do have a good core group of talented athletes that will help carry the team while the newcomers find their roles.
“Relays should be fun and competitive both to make the team and to run in leagues and districts. We are excited for this season and looking forward to watching our new and returning athletes progress.”
In the SOL American, Upper Dublin remains a consistent force.
“The team hopes to defend its SOL American Conference title from last year. Having lost 11 scorers from last year’s championship meet, that may prove to be a difficult task,” coach Matt Dwyer said. “Nevertheless the team has its sights set on another SOL American Conference Championship. The team also expects to qualify all three relays for districts as well as individuals in the sprints and distance races, jumps, hurdles, and throws with the hopes of some of them finishing their season at Shippensburg in the State Championships.”
Following is a team-by-team look at the area.
Central Bucks West
Coach: Kiki Bell (15th season).
Key performers lost: Vanessa Barrow; Gretchen Heiber; Lauren Barker; Samantha Ronald.
Key returners: Amanda Mass, Sr., jumps; Katy Jenkins, Jr., jumps; Darien Barelison, Sr., jumps; Lauren Hahn, Sr., discus.
Outlook for the season: The Bucks have some good balance and should once again be in the thick of the SOL Continental race.
Dock
Coach: Tim Eger (17th Season).
Last year’s record: 5-0 in the Bicentennial Athletic League; District 1-2A Champs.
Key performers lost: Lindsey Bernd, middle distance/javelin; Molly Hand, jumps/sprints; McKenzie Swartley, middle distance; Abbie Woods, Captain, hurdles, triple jump.
Key returners: Elle Bergey (Jr., Captain, mid-distance), Alison Keach (Jr., hurdles), Kate Landis (Jr., Captain, hurdles, javelin), Peyton Scialanca (So., sprints), Audrey Schweizerhof (Sr. Captain, throws).
Others to Watch: Lauren Birch (Sol, distance), Savahn Duerksen (So., distance), Laura Frederick (So., hurdles), Sara Kennel (So., distance), Lydia King (So., mid-distance), Olivia Mercure (So., sprints), Sydney Putera (So., jumps, mid-distance), Isa Rodriguez (So., mid-distance).
Strengths: “Audrey Schweizerhof (Shot Put) and Kate Landis (Javelin) are both returning this season as defending District Champions in their respective throwing events. Elle Bergey is also defending her 400m District title. Lauren Birch comes off a runner-up finish in district cross country. With a deep group of mid-distance runners, Dock could put together a solid 2-mile relay.”
Question Marks: “Dock is looking for their breakout sprinter, jumper, and distance runner. There are many new and returning athletes so they are hopeful that there will be noticeable separation as the season gets underway and they can develop into reliable contributors.”
Gwynedd Mercy
Coach: Cristin Meehan (second season).
Key performers lost: Bridget Casey.
Key returners: Julia Koller, Sr., jumps.
Outlook for the season: The Monarchs should be in the hunt for the Catholic Academies League title.
Lansdale Catholic
Coach: Matt Connelly.
Key performers lost: Kaitlyn Boyle.
Key returners: Sara Murphy, Sr., middle distance; Mariam Trefz, Sr., hurdles; Ava Benninghoff, Jr., javelin; Corinne Archbold, Jr., shot put.
Outlook for the season: The Crusaders should hold their own in the PCL and push some people onto districts.
Methacton
Coach: Robert Ronzano (second season; 14th overall; also coached team from 2004-15).
Key performers lost: Mary Abraham; Fallon Brown; Nicole Cooper; Amy Domenick; Maura Duffy; Julia Foley; Siena Harris; Olivia Hoover; Caitlyn McClure; Erin McKelvey; Sarah Nicoletti; Lauren Prusacki; Maggie Welsh.
Key returners: Nikki Annelli, Sr., pole vault; Tina Prince, Sr., middle distance; Camaryn Rodriguez, Sr., pole vault/hurdles; Marina Daywalt, Jr., hurdles; Camille Dunham, Jr., jumps/sprints; Katelyn Evans, Jr., sprints/long jump; Sydney Hargrove, Jr., throws; Juliana Keenan, Jr., sprints; Alexa Marberger, Jr., hurdles/jumps; Corrine Meyer, Jr., jumps; Carly Ukalovic, Jr., distance; Sabrina Williams, Jr., hurdles; Madi Eastmure, So., hurdles/jumps; Danielle Hollidge, So., sprints; Meredith O’Donnell, So., sprints/long jump; Julia Welsh, So., sprints/jumps.
North Penn
Coach: Brandon Turner (second season).
Last year’s record: 6-0.
Key performers lost: Ariana Gardizy, Nicole Noel, Olivia Dyer, Amelia Eshragi.
Key returners: Natalie Kwortnik – Sr. – Jumps & Sprints; Alyana Faison – Sr. – 100 -200 – 400; Jenna webb – Sr. – 800; Anais Williams Jr.- sprints hurdles & triple Jump; Sophia Broadhurst Sr. – 100, 200, 400; Rachel Ahlmark Jr. – 800 & mile; Megan Gambogi So. – 200 400 800; Sierra Gee Jr. – 400 LJ TJ 300H.
Others to watch: Aahliyah Allen Jr. – sprints and jumps; Anahita Eshragi So. – 400 & 800; Jaime Diedel So. – 1600 – 3,200; Dominque Bethel – Shot Put & Discus; Sierra Heisey – 400.
Strengths: Sprints and hurdles.
Question marks: Injuries and youth in throws and distance events.
Pennridge
Coach: Bill Smith (19th season).
Key performers lost: Nicole DeHaven; Missy Gibson.
Key returners: Kouri Peace, Sr., sprints; Meghan Kriney, Jr., sprints; Sarah Williams, Sr., hurdles; Katie Joust, Sr., jumps; Lauren Hess, Jr., jumps; Missy Gibson, Sr., jumps; Lauren Schuler, Sr., pole vault.
Outlook for the season: The Rams are strong in the sprints and field and should be a force in the SOL Continental.
Pope John Paul II
Coach: Lisa Cagliola (fifth year).
Last year’s record: 2-2.
Key returners: Sprinters Jr. Katie Schiele, Sophomore Heather Lesinski, Freshmen Anna Patterson, Amaya Ransom & Emily Morrison. Sophomore hurdlers Lily Costantini & Audrey Moroz will be returning stronger than ever. Mid Distance will be led by Juniors Natalie Florig & Julia Patterson bolstered by a strong freshman group including Tess Crossan & Gianna Cagliola. Freshman high jumper Kayla Croiger will get noticed as well. We have a strong incoming group of freshman throwers led by junior returner Katie Fallon and Seniors Becca Schureman and Mary Katherine Cleary.
Coach Cagliola says: “Our girls team is young but will be well balanced across the events with an exciting group of freshmen who will be fun to watch going forward.”
Souderton Area
Coach: Mike Feliciani (seventh season).
Last year’s record: 2-4 in the SOL Continental.
Key performers lost: Rose Moody, Chantell Bobak, Kaylee Karaban, Sydney Braeunig, Emily Bonaventure.
Key returners: Lael Flores, distance; Maria Deaviz, throws.
Others to watch: Isabella Taylor, Jr., sprints; Natalie Alfred, So., sprints; Kristine Kearns, jumps; Maddie McCarthy, jumps; Hannah Alderfer, jumps; Nichole Gunderson.
Strengths: Throws.
Question marks: Depth.
Coach Feliciani says: “We might take some lumps in the dual meets, but we will be looking to perform when it matters late in the season.”
Upper Dublin
Coach: Matthew Dwyer (9th season).
Last year’s record: 8-0.
Key performers lost: Madison Langley-Walker, Sabrina Taylor, Victoria Hoffner, Grace Murphy, Anastasia Berger, Rachel Papallardo, Leslie Quan
Key returnees: Madeline Spaulding-grade Sr. distance, Madelyne Ray-grade Sr. sprints, Madeleine Sanders -grade Sr. jav, Mercedes LaMar – grade Sr. throws, Maura Dianno – grade So. sprints, Mia Wright grade Jr. sprints, Meghan Barbera -grade Sr. sprints, Sophi Schneider Jr. throws, Caitlin Burmester grade So. distance, Elaina O’Toole So. distance, Emma Kedziora grade Jr. distance, Abbey Broderick So. distance, Peyton Kullman Jr. sprints/jumps/hurdles, Ryann Kullman Sr. sprints/hurdles.
Others to watch: Freshman: Ella Clayton distance, Amanda Kulak, Distance, Rania Sabri hurdles jumps, Gwen Spangler sprints; vaulters: Mikayla DeMichele So., Liliana Noble So., Kayla Brown, So..
Strengths: “Our Distance portion of the team has some serious depth and talent. The sprint side of the team lost a bunch of girls to graduation last year, but has the ability to be just as successful as last year.”
Upper Merion
Coach: Michelle Franko (first season).
Key performers lost: Mikayla Yatsko, Emily Adams, Alexis Anderson, June Sanchez, Amber Strouse, Jessica Bowe.
Last year’s record: 3-1 in the PAC.
Key returners: Claire Becker – Jr. – Hurdles; Marissa Ostrich – Jr. – Jumps; Aryana Chambers – Jr. – Hurdles; Halle Howard – Jr. – Jumps; Veronica Sanchez – Jr. – Distance; Jennifer Garcia – Sr. – Throws; Izzy LeGendre – Jr. – Throws; Samiyah Smythe – Fr. – Sprints; Nicole Tyler – Sr. – Sprints; Jada Peoples – So. – Sprints.
Outlook: “The Vikings hope to carry on success into the outdoor season. 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.”
Wissahickon
Coach: Heidi Butt (10th season).
Last year’s record: 5-2.
Key performers lost: Hayley Ross, Helen Autieri, Kaitlin Downey.
Key returners: Senior Lieke Black (sprints, hurdles), Senior Hanna Park (throws), Senior Maya Ansbro (PV), Junior Maddy Hippensteal and Sophomore Lindsey Frenia (distance), Sophomore Kasi Brown (jumps and sprints).
Others to watch: Freshman Leah Dubin (distance), Sophomore Libby Kunzier (throws), Freshman Marissa Johnson (sprints).
Strengths: Developing distance girls.
Question marks: Sprints.
Coach Butt says: “New girls in field events and combos in relays could prove to be exciting.”