Parkland, Emmaus again among the contenders

Pole vaulter Hurlburt, a state medalist, returns for Green Hornets

Parkland, thanks to 11 returning District 11 Class 3A medalists, is favored to repeat as Eastern Pennsylvania Conference boys track & field champion in 2023.

But Emmaus, Easton and others will be in close pursuit. A.J. Hurlburt, a returning state fourth-place finisher and school record holder in the pole vault, leads the Green Hornets.

Here’s a look at the 18 EPC teams:

EPC BOYS TRACK & FIELD ALLEN

Coach: Jarrad Max Last year: 1-7

ALLENTOWN CENTRAL CATHOLIC

Coach: Dave Ackerman, 14th year Last year: 1-7

Top returnees: Sr. Raphael Wolf (sprints); Jr. Nasir McLean (sprints); So. Jareel Calhoun (sprints); So. Duke Ebert (distance); So. Lucas Mushrush (distance)

Key newcomer: Dante Hamilton (sprints) About the Vikings: “The boys have some depth in the sprints,” Ackerman said, “something we have not had for some time, and that will help the team. Both girls and boys have been a fun bunch to coach.”

BETHLEHEM CATHOLIC

Coach: Fred Rice, 10th year Last year: 0-9 Top returnees: Sr. Aidan Rompila (jumps, relays); So. Mekhai Britt (mid-distance, distance); Jr. Tim Krauss (mid-distance); Sr. Elijah Thompson (throws); Mekhai George (throws)

Key newcomers: So. Justin Gonzales (sprints); Jr. Robert Williams (sprints)

About the Golden Hawks: “We don’t have a lot of numbers,”

Rice said, “and will struggle in the hurdles. But by the end of the season, once these guys get in shape, our 4×1 and 4×4 teams should be real solid. We should be very competitive during the district meet if we stay healthy.”

DIERUFF

Coach: Chris Newhard, 5th year

Last year: 4-6

EASTON

Coach: Tony Lattimore, 27th year

Last year: 5-4

Top returnees: Sr. Sam Chedester (hurdles; District 11 3A long jump seventh; PIAA 3A 17th in triple jump, District 11 second); Sr. Jonathan Castronovo (District 11 3A triple jump seventh; hurdles); Sr. Odin Ferency (District 11 3A discus sixth); Jr. Jayden Ekoko (District 11 3A high jump sixth); Sr. Julian Fears (jumps, sprints, relays); Jr. Robert Morgan (throws); Sr. Ben Perlowski (District 11 3A shot put seventh)

Key newcomers: Sr. Aidan Hutchison (sprints, relays); Jr. Aaron Marcus (relays); Sr. Cole Liott (relays)

About the Red Rovers: Chedester will be among the boys’ top point scorers with state medal expectations.

EAST STROUDSBURG NORTH

Coach: Marc Best, 13th year (27-32) Last year: 0-8

Top returnees: Sr. Bryson Gilchrist (sprints; jumps); So. Isaiah Sorge (distance)

Key newcomers: Jr. Christian Marrero (throws); Fr. Gustavo Mora (distance)

EAST STROUDSBURG SOUTH

Coach: Barry Krammes, 19th year Last year: 6-2

Top returnees: Liam Davis (distance); Nick Cruz (throws); Cole Carvahlo (throws); Zahir Williams-Dennis (jumps); Julian Caesar (pole vault); Bryce Moskovitz (sprints); Lucas Kitt (hurdles); Jamal Watts (throws); Marcus McNeil (sprints)

Key newcomers: Charles Capers (sprints); Nate Gray (sprints); Adam Korytkowski (distance; Nekhi Spencer (sprints, jumps)

About the Cavaliers: “Davis is coming off a strong indoor season and we’re looking to build off his momentum to the rest of the team for the outdoor season, ”Krammes said.

EMMAUS

Coach: Kami Reinhard, 6th year (28-8) Last year: 7-2

Top returnees: A.J. Hurlburt (PIAA 3A fourth in pole vault); Blaise Verrastro (District 11 3A third in 400); Lucian Freeman (District 11 3A sixth in high jump); Kyle Moore (District 11 3A third in long and triple jumps); Evan Loro (District 11 3A sixth in triple jump); Tyler Grabinski (District 11 3A third in pole vault) Key newcomers: Sr. Dylan Darville (sprints, throws); Jr. Marcus Puentes (sprints, pole vault); So. Dyland Swartwood (throws); So. Michael Milot (sprints)

About the Green Hornets: “Track and field is a tough sport to predict,” Reinhard said. “If you lose just one of your top athletes due to illness or injury, that could be a 15-plus point swing in a meet. The boys team has the ability and talent to do big things not only this season but also in the next few years.”

FREEDOM

Coach: Charlie Heidecker, 5thyear Last year: 3-6

Top returnees: Sr. Chase Bonstein (sprints); Sr. Antonio Santiago (hurdles, jumps); Sr. Ben-Isaac Joseph (relays, jumps); Sr. Jalen Fletcher (sprints); Sr. Alexie Sangster (sprints, hurdles); Jr. Brayden Curry (throws); So. Dylan Boyle; So. Stephan Richards (jumps, hurdles)

Key newcomers: Sr. Patrick Fynn-Paul (sprints); Fr. Abraham Pla (sprints); Fr. Ethan Huertas (hurdles)

About the Patriots: “We have a number of boys who have very good speed, ”Heidecker said. “We’ll try to get them involved in as many events as we can to take advantage of that speed.”

LIBERTY

Co-coaches: Chris D’Emilio and Andy Messa (35-8)

Last year: 5-3

Top returnees: Sr. Tyler Daley (District 11 3A 200 sixth); Sr. Owen Reilly (distance); Sr. Emrick Leshko (distance); Sr. Jai Griffin (throws)

NAZARETH

Coach: Ken Rolek, 36th year Last year: 8-1 Top returnees: Sr. Nolan Lobb (sprints); Jr. Mason Kuehner (sprints); So. Caleb Robinson-Newsome (sprints); Sr. Parker Hoff (hurdles); Sr. Jordan Gagner (mid-distance); Sr. Connor Murphy (mid-distance); Sr. Adam Kollgaard (distance); Jr. Sean Gorman (distance); Sr. Weston Simak (jumps); Sr. Jaidon Morgan (jumps)

Key newcomer: Fr. Marquez Wimberly (sprints, jumps)

About the Blue Eagles: “The boys should be solid again this season,” Rolek said. “The focus will be on the postseason as we always do at Nazareth. Our strength will be on the track. We will need to improve in the field events if we will defend our league meet title.”

NORTHAMPTON

Coach: Tim Caffrey, 18th year Last year: 8-1

Topreturnees: Jr.Tristen Pinnock (sprints); Jr.Brady Dolak (mid-distance); So.Abel Veltri (distance); Jr.Derec Fritzges (hurdles); So.Andrew Szeplaki (jumps, polevault); Sr.Bodan Burkhart (polevault); Sr.Nathan Feichtel (pole vault); Sr.Tyler Mikovitch (javelin)

Key newcomers: Sr. Liam Galicki (distance); Sr. Brayden Mahachanh (distance); Jr. Bo Wheeler (throws); So.Wesley Valera (sprints); So.Alex Morales (sprints)

PARKLAND Coach: Stephen Ott, 4th year Last year: 8-0 Topreturnees: Jr.Trey Tremba (District

11 3A 100 seventh); Sr. Nakhi Bullock (District 11 3A 100 sixth); Sr. Jacob Madeira (hurdles); Sr. Aditya Singhvi (mid-distance); Sr.Brady Hoffman (District 11 3A 800 fifth); Jr.Tyler Rothrock (District 11 3A 800 eighth); Jr. Jake Barnes (mid-distance); Jr.Ethan Willard (District 113 A3, 200 fifth); Jr.Paul Abeln (District 11 3A 3,200 seventh); Jr. Connor Johns (District 11 3A high jump fifth); Jr. Josh Pulver (jumps); Sr. Jr. Julius Reyes (throws); Jack Harrison (District 11 3A triple jump fifth); Sr. David Sepko (District 113 A javelin fifth); Jr.Andrew Beers (District 11 3A 300 hurdles fourth)

PLEASANT VALLEY

Coach: Isaac Blagogee, 1st year Last year: 4-5

POCONO MOUNTAIN EAST

Coach: Nicole Metzger, 2nd year Last year: 4-4

Top returnees: Sr. D.J. Kelley (sprints, jumps); Sr. Edward Lockie (throws); Sr.Matt Mohamed (hurdles,sprints, jumps); Sr. Jakub Pochron (hurdles, sprints); Sr.Owen Shaffer(throws); Jr.Jacob Anlauf (distance); Jr.Julio Moreira (sprints, hurdles); Jr. Evan Seymour (distance); Jr. Rasu Wearing (sprints,jumps); So.Khaden Daley (jumps, sprints); So. Kyle Jarrett (jumps, hurdles); So. Kornel Szumniak (hurdles);

Key newcomers: Sr.Vytrel Hardmon (sprints, jumps); Sr. Jefferson Ross (sprints, mid-distance); Sr. Tyrell Teel (sprints, jumps); Jr. Victor Chapman (jumps, hurdles); Jr. Jelani Duffus (sprints, hurdles); Jr. Demetrius Lewis (hurdles, jumps); So. Dylan Aponte (sprints); So. Chris Bookhout (sprints); So. Jahsen Cole (sprints); So. Jordan Merwin-Hyde (sprints, jumps); So.

Gio Marc (throws); So. Parker Scoz (distance); Fr. Anthony Formicia (throws); Fr. Drayton Hoop (jumps) About the Cardinals: “The boys are a more veteran team with great leadership returning, ”Metzger said. “New and young athletes are finding their places on the team and will provide depth in all areas.”

POCONO MOUNTAIN WEST

Coach: Bri Palazzi, 13th year Last year: 3-5

STROUDSBURG

Coach: Brett Youngken, 10th year

Last year: 8-0

Top returnees: Drew Brinker; Adonia Quartey; Aidan Raub; Jeremy Bruzzese; Kevin Polonia; Andre Reames; Logan Weitzman; Kamoni Smith-Johnson; Jacob Lukaszewski; Andrew Huntsberger; Xavier Ossman; Jake Brown

Key newcomers: Nico Perini; James Kelly; Abiel Quartey; Nate Kloss; Ben Jones; Will Francis; Ryan Francis; Kaj Weeks; Chris Mignosi; Aiden Nieman About the Mountaineers: “The boys team returns many starters from last year’s team, ”Youngken said. “But we need some of the newcomers to step up and upperclassmen to lead.”

WHITEHALL

Coach: Nicole Richards, 1st year

Last year: 3-6

Top returnees: Sr. Greg Sommer

(pole vault); Jr. Ian Thomas (jumps); So. Thomas Lloyd (District 11 3A javelin second, PIAA 16th); Sr. Kaden Weaver (throws); Sr. Josef Grol

(discus, javelin); Sr Scott Woodring (discus); Sr. Grant Dieter (javelin);

Jr. Joshua Schlosser (javelin); Sr. Christian Foehrkolb (distance); Aiden Borkenhagen (distance); Sr. Jacob Kralick (mid-distance); Sr. Cale Sodl (mid-distance); Sr. Austin Hedrick (mid-distance); Sr. Brad Erie (hurdles); Jr. Ian Thomas (hurdles); Jr. Abdul Kebbay (hurdles); Sr. Cory Wilson (hurdles); Sr Nigel Linton (sprints);

Jr. Tony Bullock (sprints); Sr Vinson Eggleston (sprints); Jr. Sebastian Orechena (jumps)

Keynewcomer: So. Michael Bialkowski (mid-distance)

About the Zephyrs: “We have a great crew of hurdlers who are seasoned and working hard,”Richards said, “while mentoring a large crew of underclassmen. We are looking to keep our team of sprinters healthy and progressing through the season after they had a near-miss last year at districts in the 4×1.”