Full speed ahead for high school squads

There will be some new faces in the mix as Dock looks to defend its District 1-2A title this spring.

“Although Dock graduated its largest senior class last year, this season, they welcome their largest freshman and rookie class ever,” coach Tim Eger said. “This new influx of talent and excitement should pay dividends this season as many will look to fill spots and score points.

“The (Bicentennial Athletic League) and district titles will not be easy. Points will come at a premium.”

La Salle, meanwhile, will be challenging for the top spot in the Philadelphia Catholic League and in District 12.

“If the Explorers fully commit to their process of improvement through hard work, they should be a very strong team,” coach Greg Bielecki said. “They have great depth in some areas, and they need to receive elite level performances in those areas.

“And in the other event areas, where they aren’t quite as deep, they need continual stepping up from the guys that have been

working hard in the program. It should be an exciting season to see what this Explorers team can do.”

Pennridge wants to stay in front in the tough Suburban One League Continental Conference.

“As most other teams, we have a lot of new boys on the team and it will take some time to get them in the proper events to help our team,” coach Bob Hosier said. “Our goals are still the same as in past years: be very competitive in our league, to show continual improvement, show sportsmanship, have a winning record in dual meets, advance many athletes to the District One meet and be represented at the State Meet in Shippensburg and bring home some medals.”

Following is a team-byteam preview of the area.

Central Bucks West

Coach: Greg Wetzel (8th season).

Last year’s: 9th at States, 9th at Districts, 3rd in SOL Continental, 3-3 in dual meets.

Key performers lost: Jake Claricurzio (mid-distance), Brian Baker (mid-distance, Virginia Tech), Ben Bunch (mid-distance, St. Joe’s), Nick Ferrentino (sprints, Wagner), Ian Infante (jumps), Jafar Bucknal (hurdles, mid-distance).

Key returners: Luke Benson (12, sprints), Luke Fehrman (12, mid-distance), Kevin Guevera (11, throws), Roman Katona (11, sprints), Alan Zlotin (11, sprints), Owen Shields (12, mid-distance), Carter Laatsch (12, mid-distance), Nick Gillespie (12, hurdles & mid-distance), Luke Cimakasky (11, distance), Christian Crabtree (12, mid-distance), Paul Nicholas (11, sprints), Ryan Hannigan (12, sprints), Jack Foster (10, sprints, jumps, hurdles), Pat Lafferty (11, jumps & throws), Doug Barnett (10, sprints), Matt Klapchar (10, sprints, jumps, hurdles), Ricardo Johnson-Washington (12, hurdles), Keagan Kratze (10, sprints & hurdles).

Others to watch: Blake Ewaskey (12, middle distance), Erik Ojert (12, middle distance), Jimi Leder (10, sprints), JJ Macaslin (10, sprints).

Strengths: We finished 17th as a team at the Indoor State Championships, with Luke Benson setting a new school record in the 60m dash (7.01 seconds, 10th place), Gillespie, Ojert, Ewaskey, and Fehrman running a US#13 4x800m relay to place 4th, and Katona, Fehrman, Zlotin, and Ewaskey placing 3rd in the 4x400m relay. Both relays were named to the All-State team by the Pennsylvania Track & Field Coaches Association. The 4x800 relay of Katona, Ojert, Ewaskey, and Fehrman also took 1st place at the Greater Philadelphia Area Meet of Champions in February.

Question marks: We need to bolster our field events so that we can try to hang with the incredibly strong SOL Continental. Coach Wetzel says: “We are going to have a lot of fun and are excited to see what our guys can do in the best conference in the state.”

Dock

Coach: Tim Eger (17th Season). Last year’s record: 6-0 in the Bicentennial Athletic League; District 1-2A Champs; PIAA-2A Runner-Ups.

Key performers lost: Ian Anderson (Captain, mid-distance); Isaiah Denlinger (Captain, distance); Austin Kratz (Captain, sprints, long jump); Alex Martin (Captain, shot, discus); Dylan Rush (sprints); Nick Smith (sprints, hurdles); Praise Zoegar (sprints, jumps).

Key returners: Nick Halstead, Jr., middle distance; Evan Mong, Jr., middle distance; Austin Nice, Sr., captain, sprints/ long jump; Thomas Schreiber, Jr., hurdles; Addison Schweizerhof, Sr., captain, javelin.

Others to watch: Jonathan Anderson, Jr., distance; Xander Duerksen, Sr., captain/throws; Darius Ellis, Jr., throws; Colin Hunsberger, Jr., javelin; Bryce Kauffman, Sr., hurdles; Jesse Mong, Jr., pole vault; Sean Robinson, So., distance. Strengths: “Austin Nice is the only returnee from the AA district and state record setting 4x100 relay team,” Eger said. “Austin has already established himself this indoor season as a premier long jumper in the state. He has also clocked quality 100m and 200m times. He will be looking for a return trip to the state meet and that elusive individual state medal. Junior Thomas Schreiber has been making huge strides in the hurdle events. He will look to continue Dock’s dominance in the hurdle events under the tutelage of Coach Earl Alcott. Nick Halstead, Evan Mong and Addison Schweizerhof will be strong in the competitive middle-distance events and will try to punch their ticket to Shippensburg in May.

Question Marks: “Dock graduated its most dominant and decorated class ever with the graduation of Kratz, Smith, Zoegar, Rush, Anderson, Denlinger and Martin. Establishing competitive relay teams and replacing these points is a significant challenge.”

La Salle

Coach: Greg Bielecki (ninth season).

Last year’s record: Philadelphia Catholic League Champions; District 12 Champions; 12th in PIAA-3A.

Key performers lost: Jon Squadrito (State Champion High Jump); Evan Addison (1600); Octavious Carter (sprints).

Key returners: Vince Twomey, Jr., 800⁄1,600; Jack Seiberlich, Sr., 800⁄1,600; Paul Ghantous, Sr., 800⁄1,600; Mac Costonis, Sr., 400⁄800; Ethan Maher, Jr., 1,600⁄3,200; Brady Koors, Jr., 1,600⁄3,200; Matt Zilligen, Sr., 800⁄1,600; Michael Eastmond, Sr., 800; Tommy Christie, So., High Jump/LJ/TJ/PV; Luke Hardy, Sr., 110⁄300 hurdles; John Klohoker, Sr., 100⁄200; Eric Ford, Jr., 100⁄200; Jalen Hanton, So., 100⁄200; Peter Taylor, Sr., 100⁄200; Brian Grady, Sr., shot put; Leland Mersky, Sr., shot put/javelin; Matt Zoglio, Jr., shot put/discus; Harison Sharp, Sr., shot put/discus; Liam Tatlonghari, Sr., shot put/discus; Derek Beavers, Sr., javelin; Max Flynn, Sr., pole vault; Shea Diehl, Sr., triple jump/long jump.

Others to watch: Dan Gervino 11th 800⁄1600m; Griffin Pumilia 11th 1600⁄3200m; Jack Harrington 11th 3200m; Patrick Coyle 10th 1600⁄3200m; Max Manganiello 10th 1600⁄3200m; Michael Loftus 12th 3200m; Matt Dyer 9th 800⁄1600m; Michael Lombardi 10th 800⁄1600m; Kellen Reiche 12th 800m; Evan Wang 11th 300mIH/110mHH; Will Faunce 11th, 400m; Michael McDonough 12th 200m. Strengths: “The Explorers are, once again, a balanced and deep team. They should get good scoring contributions in all event areas, and in some areas their ability to score should be very deep. They also look to have people in each event area that can make it to the State Meet with a good number who can score.”

Question marks: Can the Explorers really step up in each event and compete to be among the best in the PCL? They have obvious areas that are strong, but several places where they need to compete and move up in the League.

Lansdale Catholic

Coach: Matt Connelly.

Key returners: Michael Niemann, Jr., high jump.

Outlook for the season: The Crusaders should make some noise in the PCL and be primed for a good showing at the District 12 meet.

Methacton

Coach: Chris Shaffer (fourth season).

Key performers lost: John Keenan; Max Jones; Josh Newman; Lucas Carr; Alex Yablonski; Chris Huber; Mike Clark; Myles Hoven; John Keenan; Max Jones; Lucas Carr; Kyle Cook; Pat Maloney; John Keenan.

Key returners: Dan Tabor,

Sr., sprints; Chris Meehan,

Sr., sprints; Joe Pacholski,

Sr., sprints; Jorge Carmona, Sr., sprints; Mike Torcini, Jr., sprints; Jordan Layos, So., sprints; Nick Olivieri, Jr., hurdles; Andrew Bregman, Jr., hurdles; Sean Ritchie, Sr., distance; Tom Chimes, Sr., distance; Will Rebert, Sr., distance; Garrett McPhillips, Sr., distance; Garrett Campbell, Sr., distance; Matt Varghese, Jr., distance; Jack Kapralick, Jr., distance; Kevin McCullagh, Jr., distance; Chris Rowland, So., distance; Ryan Kempster, So., distance; Matt Weisenberger, Sr., jumps; Dan Tabor, Sr., jumps; Chris Meehan, Sr., jumps; Steven Brown, Sr., jumps; Joe Masciantonio, Sr., jumps; Nick Olivieri, Jr., jumps; Josh Clark, Jr., jumps; Andrew Bregman, Jr., jumps; Mike Torcini, Jr., jumps; Jordan Layos, So., jumps; Tom Heffernan, So., jumps; Tonee’ Ellis, Sr., throws; Matt Capece, Sr., throws; Gary Knox, Sr., throws; Ken Donahue, Sr., throws; Maclin Herbison, Jr., throws; Nick Hanson, Jr., throws; Sagan Kakkar, Jr., throws; Dylan Schultz, Jr., throws.

Outlook for the season: The Warriors should be in the thick of things in the PAC and should be able to build a competitive roster for the district meet.

North Penn

Coach: Jay Jones (14th season). Key performers lost: Kasseem Cartwright; Matthew Gain; Daniel Santiago; Brendan O’Toole; Colin Grace; Bryant Durant; Tyreece Duke.

Key returners: Carter Houlihan, Jr., sprints; Thomas Green, Jr., sprints/hurdles; Zahir Rucker, Jr., sprints; Erik Kull, Jr., middle distance; Joe Byers, Sr., middle

distance; Brian Johnson, Sr., distance; Noah Demis, Jr., distance; Curtis Young, Jr., hurdles/jumps; Ryan Greene, So., hurdles; Obi Nwogwugwu, Jr., triple jump; Michael Bevenour, Jr., triple jump; Starrett Vesper, Jr., pole vault; Noah Boast, Sr., discus/shot put.

Outlook for the season: The Knights have pretty good experience coming back and should be a threat in the sprints.

Pennridge

Coach: Bob Hosier (36th season).

Last year’s record: 6-0 in the SOL Continental.

Key returners: Seniors: Sprints/Hurdles/Jumps–Kellen Brown, Andersen Dimon, Luke Eissler, Evan Miller; Distance: Matt Eissler, Cole Doster, Ben Townsend; Juniors: Sprints/ Hurdles/Jumps Billy Andersen, Bobby Brashear, Liam McCool Jack Wasserman.

Distance: Ethan Saville, Matt Vaders; Throws: Josiah Landis, Tyler Myers; Sophomores: Sprints/Hurdles/Jumps–John Charocopos,Spencer Lane, Diego Lera-Lozano,Andrew Lane, Landon McIntyre. James Estep, Distance – Rich Loughran, Andrew Reice, Rob Yochum.

Key performers lost: Sprints/ Hurdles/Jumps –John Nash, Josh Pinkney,Vinny Polignano, Ryan Sattele.

Others to Watch: Freshmen -Aiden Castle, Joey Gant, Aiden Jacoby,Brayden Longherr, Steve Reutlinger.

Strengths: Horizontal and vertical jumps, sprints.

Questions: Pole vault, throws, hurdles.

Souderton Area

Coach: John Donahue (11th season).

Last year’s record: 0-7 in the SOL Continental.

Key performers lost: Bret Vince, Jack Maurer, Anthony Blessing, Evan Marrone, Tim Kennel.

Key returners: Willie Goods, Jumps/Sprints: DeAndre Wakefield, Sprints: Ethan Moyer Throws and Hurdles; Kevin Sieving. Hurdles.

Others to watch: Peter Ernst, Mid Distance/Jumps: Josiah Moyer, Distance: Tommy Greve, Distance, Kyle Jia Throws: Trevor Melton, Jumps/Sprints. Strengths: Great Leadership from core group of seniors. Question marks: Lack of depth and experience in jumping events.

Coach Donahue says: “Hope to improve on last year as a team and qualify individuals for the State Meet.”

Upper Merion

Coach: Kevin Mobley (first season).

Last year’s record: 1-4 in the Pioneer Athletic Conference. Performers to watch: Chimezie Amaefuna (12th Middle Distance), Owen Ebersole (12th Long Distance), Michael Freaney (12th Middle/Long Distance), Harrison Sieker (12th Middle/ Long Distance), Dontae Slocum (12th Throws), Joseph Tornetta (12th Sprints, Hurdles, Jumps), Abhiram Vagvala (12th Middle/ Long Distance).

Coach Mobley says: “My expectations for the season, are to compete at a high level and win our dual meets. Set a standard of excellence that will continue to grow throughout the season. Our

goal is to compete for the PAC Title every year.”

Wissahickon

Coach: Donald Betterly.

Last season’s record: 7-0 in the SOL American.

(13th in last 15 yrs)

Key performers lost: Sprinters Rahsheed Wright and Shamere Dunswell; hurdler Liam Davies; jumper/hurdler Ahmir Johnson; distance guys Matt Maiale, Ben Hoyer and Nathan Leung; Jav thrower Max Salvadore, pole vaulter Noah Kilshaw.

Key returners: Robert Wilson Matt Flancer sprints; Carmen Ostroski Jumps/sprints/hurdles;

Christian McCarry Jumps/hurdles; distance runners Solomon Thistle; Bryce Miles; Justin Ryan; Hanson Leung; Caymus Ruffner; shot putter; Raejon Benjamin.

Others to watch: Ostroski jumps/hurdles/400, McCarry and Maurice Willis jumps/ hurdles, freshman sprinter Isaiah Marc.

Strengths: Distance (American Conference XC Champs), jumps. Question Marks: Throws, sprint depth.

Coach Betterly says: “Scoring needs to come from everywhere this year, not just one or two areas.”