2022 Mercury Boys’ Track and Field Team-by-Team Preview
BOYERTOWN
Head coach: Jon Zellers, 12th season
Last year’s record: 0-4 PAC Liberty, 2-4 overall
Athletes to watch: Throws: Jayden Miller, Sr.; Ryan Fenstermaker, Sr.; Nathan Wernersbach, Sr.; Anthony Panarello, Jr.; Nick Panarello, So.; Sprints: Ryan Desmornes, Sr.; Andrew Galanti, Sr.; Evan Reigner Sr.; Ethan Martins, Jr. Hurdles: Noah Mitchell, Sr.; Tyler Adamski, Jr. Jumps: Noah Mitchell, Sr.; Tyler Adamski, Jr. Distance: Cameron Kratz, Sr.; Ethan Maraldo, Jr.
Outlook: The Bears graduated a standout sprinter in Julian Saunders (PIAA 3rd place in 100 in 2021) but head coach Jon Zellers still sees the sprints as a strong point for the Bears along with the throws, which feature senior Jayden Miller, a returning PIAA qualifier who placed 8th (50-0½) at the PTFCA Indoor Championships last month. Senior Cameron Kratz was a top 10 finisher in the 3,200 at last year’s District 1 Championships. Zellers is eyeing some of those seniors to become team leaders and up the dual meet win total. “We have some quality upperclassmen in many of the events and they will need to keep their focus if they want to come out on top,” Zellers said. “Districts and states are always what we are working for.”
DANIEL BOONE
Coach: Patrick Kelly, 4th season
Last season’s record: 1-3 Berks I
Athletes to watch: Sprints: Xavier Coleman, Ethan Kryman, Brody Herbst, Gio Di Nenna; Mid-distance/distance: Alex Eckstein, Caleb Eckstein, Cory Miller, Skyler Fries, Mason Hallman; hurdles: Christian Cremi, James Shanley; Jumps: Christian Cremi, Caleb Eckstein; Throws: Christian Cremi and Peyton Fryer; Pole vault: Colin Welsh.
Outlook: Boone graduated its two district qualifiers from last year in hurdler Mason Jolivette (Ursinus) and Connor Stuart. The Blazers appear to be in similar standing to last year when it comes to dual meets so seeing a few athletes take a step forward with podium finishes at the BCIAA Championships and reaching the District 3 Championships will be the target.
HILL SCHOOL
Head coach: Bill Yinger, 20th season
Last year’s record: 3-1 overall, 2nd at MAPL Championships
Athletes to watch: Noah Toole, Sr., sprints/jumps; Quintin Craig, Jr., sprints; Nick Bressi, So., hurdles/high jump; Gran Deshishku, Sr., throws; Jalen Grant, Sr., mid-distance; Jed Korankye, Sr., jumps; Damian Giannikas, So., mid-distance; Anthony Wise, Sr., sprints/relays; Kayden White, Jr., sprints/jumps.
Outlook: Hill has a speedy stable which bodes well for team success in 2022. Junior Quintin Craig will contend for MAPL titles in the sprints and sophomore Nick Bressi, who placed 2nd in the triple jump at MAPLs last year, will be a consistently high finisher across multiple events. “We are deep in the sprints, relays, and jumps this year with a full stable of guys who can flat out run,” said coach Bill Yinger. “ We will put up a solid fight in every event up through the 400. Hurdles will be covered with Bressi, who is only a sophomore, and really started coming into his own last year.” Hill is also looking forward to the boost of senior Noah Toole returning from an ACL injury suffered last spring. Distance events and throws are more of a question mark for Hill, but overall Yinger sees a team capable of contending for the MAPL title and a top 3 finish at the PAISAA Championships. “The team wants to both improve and win. We will fight hard in the duals and no one should roll us based on the sprints and jumps points we expect to be getting each week.” Hill hosts the MAPL Championships on May 14, ahead of the PAISAA Championships at Malvern Prep on May 21.
METHACTON
Head coach: Christopher Torpey, 1st year. Assistant coach: Jim Hodgins
Last year’s record: 4-1 PAC Liberty.
Athletes to watch: Seniors Vaughn Lackman (1,600, 3,200, 800); Chris McGlynn (3,200, 1,600, 800); Justin Weycher (hurdles); Bryan Landsberg (3,200, 1,600); Tristan Landsberg (3,200, 1,600); Jack Rosti (1,600, 3,200); Tommy Dickinson (throws); Owen Li (jumps, 100); Jason Shumaker (1,600, 3,200). Juniors Zach Willen (200, 400); Mathew Behan (800, 1,600); Nick Willen (400, 800); Sah Bri Hill (100, jumps); Evander Lackman (1,600, 3,200).
Outlook: The Warriors showed remarkable depth to go 4-1 in PAC duals last year despite not having a district qualifier in its stable (the 2021 championships had restricted numbers due to COVID precautions). It seems safe to say that number will be higher in 2022. Junior Zach Willen has emerged in the 200 meters and is coming off a seventh place finish at the PTFCA Indoor Championships. Senior Vaughn Lackman made a leap in the mile as well and placed ninth at the Pa. indoor meet. Head coach Chris Torpey, a 2011 Perkiomen Valley graduate who went on to compete at Monmouth, is in his first year as head coach after serving as a distance assistant last year. It’s a category he sees as a strength this spring. “Methacton will be led by the depth and strength of their distance & mid distance runners, a group that is coming off of a 7th place finish at indoor states in the 4×800.” The Warriors graduated their highest-scoring throwers and jumpers, which leaves a void in the field. “We hope to make up these points with a distance crew that has progressed by leaps and bounds,” said Torpey.
NORRISTOWN
Head coach: Milton Williams, 7th season
Last season’s record: 0-5 PAC
Athletes to watch: Sprints: Jaden Brown, Sr.; Daunte Bell, So.; Miles Daniels, So. Mid-distance: Zif Ceja-Banos, Jr.
Outlook: Senior sprint star Jaden Brown is the standout athlete in the PAC as the reigning champion at last May’s PIAA outdoor championships and last month’s PTFCA Indoor Championships at Penn State. He did the indoor double at State College, winning the 60 and 200 meters. He placed second at the New Balance Nationals Indoor Championships in the 55 meters on March 13 and is primed to keep his place as Pa.’s fastest man. It’s not just Brown as coach Milton Williams expects big things from his sprint group. There’s promise in the rest of the squad, namely among the throwers, but the Eagles likely lack the depth to do major damage in the PAC dual picture. The good news is Williams doesn’t figure Brown to make his way alone in the postseason. “I am looking to see which of our underclassmen start to develop and become district qualifiers and possibly state qualifiers,” he said.
OWEN J. ROBERTS
Head Coach: Tim Marcoe, 7th year
Last year’s record: 3-2 PAC Liberty
Athletes to watch: Distance: Thomas Damiani, Sr., Jack Golden, Sr., Sebastian Herrada, Sr., Matt Kwiatkowski, Sr., Evan Hild, Sr., Andrew McGonigle, Jr., Nathan Hayes, Jr., Oscar Lorenzi, So. Sprints/Hurdles: Evan Holladay, Sr., Lucas Wornson, Jr., Finn Purtle, Jr., Ned Burgess, Jr., Brandon Kelly, Jr., Andy Famawa, Fr., Jumps: Gabe LaGrossa, Fr., Jesse Lasmanis, Fr., Jackson Starner, Jr., Troy Swittenburg, So. Throws: Ryan Lewiski, Sr., Christian Gregory, Jr., Shane Towler, Jr., Connor Fennell, Jr.
Outlook: The Wildcats are going the distance. At least that’s what they’ll lean on with a quartet – Thomas Damiani, Evan Holladay, Nathan Hayes, and Andrew McGonigle – that placed sixth in the distance medley relay at the PTFCA Indoor Championships last month. McGonigle, the All-Area Cross Country Runner of the Year in the fall, leads the group after placing 5th in District 1 and 15th in the state in the 3,200 meters in 2021. With the mid- and distance events in good standing, OJR will hope for some relative newcomers to make a mark in the field events. “The boys are looking forward to competing again this season,” said coach Tim Marcoe. “The goal is to continually improve throughout the course of the season and compete well at each meet. We are hoping to have a balanced team with potential point scorers in all 18 events. We are going to be relying on our upperclassmen to show the new athletes how to prepare for competition as we lack some experience in some disciplines.”
PERKIOMEN VALLEY
Head coach: Joe Petsko, 16th season.
Last year’s record: 2-3 PAC Liberty.
Athletes to watch: Sprints: Dominic Brzozowski, Jr.; Zach Meehan, Jr.; Ryan Klimek, Jr.; Markell Davis, Fr.; Hurdles: Jahiem Vinson, Sr.; Michael Vu, Jr.; Distance: Ian Johnson, So.; Tommy Bricker, Sr.; Evan Romano, Sr.; Jumps: Zach Meehan, Jr.; Robbie Sturges, So.; Brayden Avery, So.; Throws: Ronde Washington, Sr.; Jackson Boettinger, Jr.; Cole Euker, Fr.; Tim Ledger, Jr.; Doug Ledger, So.
Outlook: The Vikings boast two of the front-end talents in the PAC in seniors Ronde Washington and Dominic Brzozowski. Washington enters the spring off a runner-up finish in the shot put at the PTFCA Indoor Championships (55-5¼) while Brzozowski is a two-time state medalist after placing 5th in the 400 and 6th in the 200 at the PIAA Championships in 2021. Sophomore Ian Johnson will score plenty in the distance events as well. That’s a great start but time will tell on the Vikings’ depth when it comes to scoring consistently in dual meets. That being the case, coach Joe Petsko is looking for the ‘young talent to come into its own this season.’
PHOENIXVILLE
Head Coach: Justin Winters, 2nd season
Last year’s record: 4-1 PAC Frontier
Athletes to watch: Bryan Kerchner, Sr.; Owen Koch, Sr.; Keddar Vyas, Sr.; Jake Russell, Sr.; Luke Russell, Sr.; Michael Detato, Sr.; Leo Sereni, Sr.; Liam Martnishn, Sr.; Yash Agnihotri, Sr.; Joey Romano, Sr.; Solomon Ortiz, Sr.; Roman Ciaverelli, Sr.; CJ Jahn, Jr.; Jacob Cross, Jr.; Nate Stackhouse, Fr.; Talon Romance, Fr.
Outlook: The Phantoms were close to an undefeated run in the PAC Frontier a year ago, but just missed. This year they looked poised to pull it off with a strong senior cast. Phoenixville is deepest in the mid-distance and distance events. It doesn’t have a returning district qualifier but with ability to score across 18 events the Phantoms are equipped for dual meet success with some individuals capable of reaching the deeper stages of the spring season.
POPE JOHN PAUL II
Coach: Lisa Cagliola, 7th season; assistant Coaches: Doug Symonds, Kimm Galbraith
Last year’s record: 3-2 PAC Frontier
Athletes to watch: Sprints: Josh Little, Sr; Emilio Stipe, Jr; Jack Heffner, Jr; Aidan Gray, Jr.; Nick Scarafone, Jr; Dom DiBricida, So.; Nate Beck, Fr.; Hurdles: Griffin Love, Sr.; Aidan Gray, Jr.; Jack Heffner, Jr.; Mid-distance: J.P. Baron, Sr; Jason DiMarco, Sr.; Aidan Gray, Jr.; Mark Heffner, So.; Oscar Luna, So.; Danny Schiele, Fr.; Distance: Pat McCafferty, Sr; Oscar Luna, So.; Jack McNicholas, Fr.; Throws: Andrew Grossbauer, Sr.; Fred Mader, Jr.; Nick Kochanowicz, Jr.; Jumps: J.P. Baron, Sr.; Luke Bell, Jr.; Parker Albeck, Fr.
Outlook: The PJP boys are hoping to build on achieving a winning record last season. The sprints look to be a strength with senior Josh Little and sophomore Dominic DiBricida leading the way. “Our boys’ team is young and are looking to prove themselves,” said coach Lisa Cagliola. “The sprints are definitely worth a look, they’ve been working hard in the preseason.” After not qualifying a male athlete to last year’s COVID-restricted District 1 Championships, the Golden Panthers are out to change that in 2022. “The top boys are hungry to qualify for Districts and beyond as well and we have been talking about hitting small goals each week to build to that ultimate goal,” Cagliola said.
POTTSGROVE
Head Coach: Dean Wright, 3rd season
Last year’s record: 1-4 PAC Frontier Division
Athletes to watch: Brendan Vaughan, Sr., distance; Vinny Scarnato, Sr., sprints; Demitrius Carter, Jr., sprints; Cory Scott, Jr., throws; Amir Brunson, Jr., sprints; Trevon Foster, Fr., hurdles.
Outlook: Pottsgrove’s numbers are improved in 2022 according to coach Dean Wright, but still short of vying for the PAC Frontier title. Nonetheless, the Falcons have a group of capable event winners including junior Demetrius Carter (sprints) and freshman Trevon Foster (hurdles). After being shut out at districts a year ago, the Falcons will be pushing to send a few athletes to Coatesville.
POTTSTOWN
Head coach: Justin Gibbs, 2nd season
Last year’s record: 0-5 PAC Frontier
Athletes to watch: Daniel Williams, Sr.; Rashean Bostic, Jr.; Adam Green, Jr.; Ethan Masewicz, Jr.; Izaiyah Wilkerson, So.
Outlook: There’s no overlooking the graduation of Darius Smallwood, the PIAA 800-meter champion in 2021, who has moved on to Penn State, nor jumps standout Jahzeel Watson. It’s been a numbers battle of late for the Trojans, which hasn’t changed. Still, junior Ethan Masewicz will contend for advancement to districts in the 200 and 400 and junior Adam Green should be a solid scorer in multiple events for Pottstown.
SPRING-FORD
Head coach: Danielle Stauffer, 9th season
Last year’s record: 5-0 PAC Liberty Division
Athletes to watch: Sprints: Travel Wellons, Jr.; Mason Scott, So.; Leonell Aguilar, Jr.; Chris Brittingham, So.; Mid-distance: Alex Teufel, Sr.; Justin Russell, Sr.; Ryan Trimble, Sr.; Kenneth Grant, Sr.; Quinn Smith, Jr.; Jacob Delgado, So.; Distance: Braden Krajcirovic, Sr.; Hurdles: Justin Russell, Sr.; Jack Redcay, So.; Jonathan Chapman, So.; Pole vault: Alex Teufel, Sr.; Jumps: Cole Turner, Sr.; Throws: Matthew Pytel, Sr.; Alex Teufel, Sr.; Zach Zollers, Jr.
Outlook: The Rams enjoyed an unbeaten run in the PAC Liberty a year ago thanks to a quality senior presence that included PIAA qualifier Josh Hellauer (jumps) and district qualifiers Gabriel Sanders (shot put) and Clint Keen (300 hurdles). The cupboard is never bare at Spring-Ford though. Senior Alex Teufel is a PIAA qualifier in the pole vault and looks to add events to help the points haul. Senior Matthew Pytel seems to have taken a leap forward in the javelin while junior Travell Wellons leads the sprinters and senior Cole Turner is poised to fill the No. 1 jumper spot left by Hellauer. The Rams may not be as heavily favored this spring, but they still look a good bet to finish atop the Liberty Division and send a handful to the postseason.
UPPER MERION
Coach: Kevin Mobley, 3rd season
Last year’s record: 2-3 PAC Frontier
Athletes to watch: Taimir Lobban, Jr.; Alan Nichols, So.; Zachary Reid, Sr.; Andrew Beyer, Fr.
Outlook: Junior Taimir Lobban is capable of success in the sprints while sophomore Alan Nichols will be a top performer for the Vikings in the 200 and jumps. Overall, Upper Merion figures outside the top tier of the PAC Frontier so success will be marked by general improvement and potential sending a couple athletes to districts.
UPPER PERKIOMEN
Head coach: Dave Dusza, 7th season
Last year’s record: 5-0 PAC Frontier
Athletes to watch: Donnie Miller, Sr., Distance; Thomas Flud, Jr., javelin; Vincent Durrant, Jr., Sprints/Jumps.
Outlook: The pieces all came together for the Tribe last season in a perfect run through the PAC Frontier. Most of their top scorers have graduated, including Hunter Flack, who placed ninth in the state in the pole vault last year and is now competing at Liberty University. Another state-level athlete returns in Tommy Flud, who was 14th in the javelin at the PIAAs. Donnie Miller looks a threat in the mile and two mile. Overall, Upper Perk will need some new faces to emerge to stay atop the division. “We have built up our numbers this year and are hoping to continue off of last year’s successful season,” said coach Dave Dusza.
