The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
Canastota raiders seeking another title
Led again by senior Adam VanValkenburgh, the team enters a new season with its sights set on a third title.
The Canastota boys track and field team has had a run of success under third-year coach Zach Jones (27- 0), going undefeated in back-to-back seasons and winning consecutive Center State Conference Division II titles.
The Raiders have no intention of letting up.
Led again by senior Adam VanValkenburgh, Jones’ team enters the new season with its sights set on a third straight title. Dennis Delaney, Ben Marshall, Matt Steadman, Chris Cafferella, Erick Marsh, Zarin Martin, Doug Simmons and Colby Stevens return and will be joined by Darien Fox, Thomas Brychta, Brandon Otts, Mike Tesmer and Nathan Aria as the Raiders will try to beat Cooperstown and Sauquoit Valley for another league championship.
Camden is coming off of a 5-2 season last year in which it won the Tri-Valley League Pioneer title. Jason Richards, Austin Thomas, Cyrille Greasley, Kyle Coleman, Tybarius Harter, Tim Cook, Hunter Keil and Josh D’Angelo all return for the title defense and eighth-year coach Nathan Donaleski said he has a passionate group of Blue Devils that are excited for the season.
Oneida coach Adam Litwak also has high hopes for his team, led by returning seniors Erik Wuest, Nate Lombardi, Jake Phillips and Justin Brewer. Litwak said he also has a few newcomers that should help his team be successful in the TVL and competitive at the Section III Class B championships at the end of the year.
Vernon-Verona-Sherrill coach Chris LeBlanc (17th year, 65-89) has Chris Cable, Owen Walker, Owen Rose, Cory Couture, Terrell Rainwater, Tyler Hollenbeck, Damien Muessig and Lo-
gan Wendt returning and they will be surrounded by a young supporting cast that includes newcomer Spencer Walker. LeBlanc said he is excited about how his athletes mesh together as a team as they prepare to compete in the difficult TVL.
Morrisville-Eaton went 15-1 under veteran coach Bruce Sherwood (304-154) and finished second in CSC Division III. Senior Dale Lake is Sherwood’s top returner after earning a CSC All-Star selection and winning the Section III title and placing 12th in the state in the pole vault.
Fourth-year coach Mark Evans (11-7) has a very versatile squad, led by returners Alec Boone, James McPherson, Ray Satchwell, Sam Deleon, Will Kmetz and Sean McPherson. James Pavelchak, Jacob Olkowski, Cormac Race and Dalton Sevier are the top newcomers for the Lakers, who Evans hopes can improve on a weekly basis throughout the spring.