2021 Mercury Boys’ Track and Field Team-by-Team Preview
Pioneer Athletic Conference
Boyertown
Coach: Jon Zellers, 11th season.
2019 record: 2-3 PAC Liberty Division.
Athletes to watch: Jacob Bardsley, Sr., sprint/hurdles; Joshua Derocher, Sr., jumps/throws; Austin Holiday, Sr., middle distance/distance; Peyton Rotonda, Sr., hurdles; Julian Saunders, Sr., sprints/jumps; Ryan Desmornes, Jr., sprints; Ryan Fenstermacher, Jr., throws; Andrew Galanti, Jr., sprints; Cameron Kratz, Jr., middle distance/distance; Jayden Miller, Jr., throws; Noah Mitchell, Jr., hurdles; Eddie Weick, Jr., hurdles/jumps
Outlook: The Bears’ roster is bolstered by the presence of freshman James DeSanto, who will be competing in middle distance and distance events. … Saunders is a previous state-level participant. … “We seem to be covered in a lot of the areas,” Zellers said, “but our underclassmen will have to do their part in scoring points. I am anxious and excited to hit the track and field with a great group of kids who will be ready to compete.”
Methacton
Coach: Dylan Bennett, first season.
2019 record: 2-2 PAC Liberty Division.
Athletes to watch: Jordan Layos, Sr., jumps/sprints; Aaron Sanchez, Sr., jumps; Chris Spletzer, Sr., middle distance/sprints; Chris Augustine, Jr., throws; Thomas Dickinson, Jr., throws; Vaughn Lackman, Jr., middle distance; Chris McGlynn, Jr., distance; Justin Weychert, Jr., hurdles; SahBri Hill, So., jumps/sprints; Zach Willen, So., sprints.
Outlook: Bennett takes over the Warrior program from Joe Catania, who headed it one season prior to the 2020 COVID shutdown. … “This season, the Warriors will be led by a strong upper class,” Bennett said. “Look for jumpers and distance to move this team along as the young guys in the sprints get acclimated to high-school athletics. McGlynn and Lackman will be leading the way for distance and middle distance, both looking to qualify for the District 1 meet. Layos and Sanchez, both college-bound athletes, look to build on already strong resumes with new PRs and District 1 hopes. Hill and Willen round out the young sophomore class in the sprints and jumps, showing a lot of promise in trials and practice they will be half of the 4×100 relay and will look to challenge the upperclassmen in their respective events. Chris Spletzer will be doing double duty in sprints and mid-distance, as the captain of the squad he brings a lot of great leadership to the team and a great work ethic.”
Norristown
Coach: Milton Williams, sixth season.
2019 record: 0-6 PAC Liberty Division.
Athletes to watch: Seniors Elijah Hildreth, Sr.; Jamie Miller, Sr.; Jordan Morse, Sr.; Marco Olmedo Jr., Sr.; Jaden Brown, Jr.
Outlook: ““This is a very strong class of seniors,” Williams said, “and we are looking for them to finally realize their potential in their senior campaign. They have had great relay success and are looking forward to individual success in the events from the 100-400m. We feel we have a great opportunity to be successful in the sprints and sprint relays, but are looking to add some field events to complement what we have on the track.”
Owen J. Roberts
Coach: Tim Marcoe, fifth season.
2019 record: 4-1 PAC Liberty Division.
Athletes to watch: Brendan Arcara, Sr., sprints/hurdles; Josh DiMarino, Sr., distance; Dylan Luckowski, Sr., throws; Aidan Rohrbough, Sr., jumps; Adam Scherch, Sr., jumps; Zach Taylor, Sr., jumps; Jaden Viti, Sr., throws; Thomas Damiani, Jr., distance; Jack Golden, Jr., distance; Avery Grimm, Jr., sprints/hurdles; Sebastian Herrada, Jr., distance; Evan Holladay, Jr., sprints/hurdles; Matt Kwiatkowski, Jr., distance; Aiden O’Neill, Jr., sprints/hurdles; Ned Burgess, So., sprints/hurdles; Andrew McGonigle, So., distance; Nathan Hayes, So., distance; Tim Kinniry, So., sprints/hurdles; Finn Purtle, So., sprints/hurdles
Outlook: “The boys are looking forward to competing again this season,” Marcoe said. “The goal is to continually improve throughout the course of the season and compete well at each meet. Missing last season has really been tough for our athletes that compete in the technical events. We are looking forward to competing again and seeing how the season unfolds.
Perkiomen Valley
Coach: Joe Petsko, 15th season.
2019 record: 4-1 PAC Liberty Division.
Athletes to watch: Kabiru Brown, Sr., distance; Jordan Daniels, Sr., throws; Daniel Hayman, Sr., distance; Lorenzo DelaCruz, Jr., sprints/hurdles; Ronde Washington, Jr., throws; Dominic Brzozowski, Soph., sprints; Ryan Klimek, Soph., sprints; Zach Meehan, Soph., sprints.
Outlook: The PV roster is bolstered by the presence of freshmen Ivan Cox, who is competing in hurdles; and Robbie Sturges, who will be in jumps. … “The 2021 Viking team is comprised of a hungry group of young talent,” Petsko said. “Led by a handful of great senior leadership, the team will look to make a name for themselves in the PAC this season.”
Phoenixville
Coach: Justin Winters, first season.
2019 record: 3-2 PAC Frontier Division.
Athletes to watch: Roman Ciaverelli, throws; Mike Detato, mid-distance; Kris Grinstead, Sr., jumps; Bryan Kerchner, distance; Luke Russel, sprints.
Outlook: Winters returns to the program’s head-coach post after several years as assistant. … “More than anything, we’re so excited to be back,” Winters said. “Our philosophy is built on long-term development, so losing last year was certainly a setback. But it’s also given us a chance to reevaluate, rebuild and lay a new foundation with a young, inexperienced group. We look to be competitive this season, but also planning for the future with the unique circumstances we find ourselves in.”
Pope John Paul II
Coach: Lisa Cagliola, sixth season.
2019 record: 1-4 PAC Frontier Division.
Athletes to watch: Vince Csercsevits, Sr., sprints; Jack Flynn, Sr., distance; David Kephart, Sr., throws; Jacob Peifer, Sr., middle distance; Jake Rau, Sr., throws; J.P. Baron, Jr., sprints; Josh Douras-Little, Jr., sprints; Steele DePetrillo, Jr., sprints; Jason DiMarco, Jr., middle distance; Griffin Love, Jr., hurdles; Patrick McCafferty, Jr., distance; Aidan Gray, So., middle distance; Fred Mader, So., throws.
Outlook: The Golden Panther roster is bolstered by freshman Dominic DiBricida, who will compete in sprints. … “We have a lot of freshmen and sophomores who haven’t been tested in competition. but are looking great in practice,” Cagliola said, “so the other coaches and I have a very optimistic outlook.”
Pottsgrove
Head Coach: Dean Wright, second season.
2019 record: 4-1 PAC Frontier Division.
Athletes to watch: Ethan McHugh, Sr., throws; Vinny Scarnato, Jr., sprints; Brendan Vaughan, Jr., distance; Kayden White, Jr., sprints; Demetrius Carter, So., sprints.
Wright took over the Falcon program from Megan DeLena, who stepped up to fill the vacancy from Larry Rechtin. … “The boys team hopes to get back to the top of the Frontier Division and compete for the PAC championship,” Wright said.
Pottstown
Coach: Justin Gibbs, first season.
2019 record: 5-0 PAC Frontier Division.
Athletes to watch: Christian Albert, Sr., distance: Jamaal Pratt, Sr., throws: Darius Smallwood, Sr., mid-distance: Jahzeel Watson, Sr., sprints/jumps, Rashean Bostic, So., sprints; Ethan Masewicz, sophomore, mid-distance.
Outlook: Gibbs takes over the Trojan program from Mary Ann Hill, who retired in 2019 after 31 years guiding the team. … Smallwood comes into the spring off a 2020 cross country season that saw him place second in the District 1-AA race, one-tenth of a second behind Holy Ghost Prep’s Elliott Puckett.
Spring-Ford
Coach: Danielle Stauffer, eighth season.
2019 record: 2-3 PAC Liberty Division.
Athletes to watch: Anthony Bamford, Sr., distance; Nate Capers, Sr., middle distance; Andrew Carlin, Sr., distance; Max Collins, Sr., distance; Josh Hellauer, Sr., jumps; Clint Keen, Sr., jumps; Kyle Kennedy, Sr., throws; Sam Ricci, Sr., hurdles; Gabe Sanders, Sr., throws; Travell Wellons, Sr., sprints; Jackson Whiteside, Sr., hurdles; Riley Wright, Sr., middle distance; John Zawislak, Sr., distance; Harry Adieyefeh, Jr., sprints; Jihan Raiyan, Jr., sprints; Alex Teufel, Jr., pole vault; Ryan Trimble, Jr., middle distance; Dean Wright, Jr., jumps.
Outlook: The Spring-Ford roster is bolstered by the addition of freshmen Jon Chapman, who will compete in hurdles, and Belal Abdelrahman. Other up-and-coming sophomores are Justin Russell, Quinn Smith and Zach Zollers. … “The Rams are returning with a seasoned group of athletes who are ready to compete,” Stauffer said. “We have a large group that is really focused this season. 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 stay healthy both mentally and physically this season.”
Upper Merion
Coach: Kevin Mobley, second season.
2019 record: 1-4 PAC Frontier Division.
Athletes to watch: Omar Bedak, Sr., distance; John Matics, Sr., distance; Josh Tickner, Sr., sprints; Andrew Ebersole, Jr., distance; Trai Mason, Jr., sprints; Charles Helfand, So., distance.
Outlook: “We have a few veterans mixed in with a lot of younger athletes this season,” Mobley said. “Our numbers are lower than usual due to COVID. We are just looking forward to competing in a few meets after being out of action for over a year. We are excited to get back on the track and compete.”
Upper Perkiomen
Coach: Dave Dusza, sixth season.
2019 record: 3-2 PAC Frontier Division.
Athletes to watch: Blandin Conklin, Sr., distance (mile); Hunter Flack, Sr., pole vault; Donnie Miller, Jr., distance (two mile); Logan Simmon, Jr., sprints (100/200).
Outlook: “We are hoping for a good season this year,” Dusza said. “Our athletes have come into this spring in shape and ready to make up for missing last year. The coaching staff is looking forward to a good year with our returning athletes and to build with our younger athletes.”
Others
Daniel Boone
Coach: Pat Kelly, third season.
2019 record: 3-1 Berks League Division II, 3-2 overall.
Athletes to watch: Michael Gaines, Sr., jumps; Ethan Harper, Sr., distance; Mason Jolivette, Sr., hurdles; Connor Stuart, Sr., sprints/middle distance; Collin Swartwood, Sr., middle distance; Justin Banak, Jr., sprints; Skyler Fries, Jr., distance; Adam Inhof, So., middle distance; Stephen McDevitt, Jr., throws; Cory Miller, Jr., distance; Christian Cremi, So., throws.
Outlook: “The overall roster is low for Daniel Boone Blazers this season,” Lake said, “but the talent is there. Depth among the distance runners is strong. Stuart has county title contender potential in for the 100M and 400M. Jolivette is eyeing school and county records for the 300 hurdle event. 4×800, x100 and x400 relays should provide a tough challenge throughout every meet. No doubt all the athletes are excited to get back to competition.”
Hill School
Coach: Bill Yinger, 19th season.
2019 record: 5-0 Mid-Atlantic Prep League.
Athletes to watch: Andrew D’Asaro, Sr., javelin; Kai Ho, Sr., throws; Brandon Kim, Sr., jumps/sprints; Jamie Olson. Sr., distance; Sean Parker, Sr., pole vault; Derek Schmaeling, Sr., throws; Noah Toole, Jr., jumps/sprints; Rocco Bressi, So., jumps; Quintin Craig, So., sprints.
Outlook: The Blues’ ranks are bolstered by the addition of freshman Nicholas Bressi, who will compete in hurdles and jumps. … The Hill won MAPL and Pa. Independent Schools Athletic Association (PAISAA) championship in 2019. … “Like most schools out there,” Yinger said, “we are just excited to possibly have some competition this Spring. We will have mostly duals as far as we know with the possibility of a League Champs, but the Prep States is off for this year. We are focused on PR’s and getting back into running, jumping, and throwing. We seem senior heavy, and yet there is a ton of young talent that needs to learn how to win track meets if we are going to continue to be successful. Development and competing are the word for now.”
