JIM THORPE

Head coach Frank Miller (5th season)Assistant coaches Jason Jacobs, Patty Rehrig, Christine Rosenberger, Jamie Tatusko, Eric Moore, Mike TatuskoLast year's record 3-3 overallLeague Schuylkill LeagueDistrict 11 Classification AAAKey losses JaAshia Page, Hilary Reis, Marissa CantelmiKey returnees Samantha Harlan (Sr., Hurdles), Ameila Herman (Sr., Hurdles), Brittany Holland (Sr., Throws/Jumps), Kathryn Jones (Sr., Throws), Ashley Nicola (Sr., Sprints), Ellyn Tomko (Sr., Throws), Erin Bucci (Jr., Distance), Caitlin Liscinski (Jr., Throws), Jeanna McElmoyle (Jr., Distance), Kayla Susko (Jr., Distance), Anjelica Poalillo (So., Sprints/Jumps)Others to watch Mylena Gilkes (Sr., Sprints/Jumps), Courtney Martinelli (Jr., Jumps), Shannon Green (So., Jumps/Hurdles), Amanda Petrin (So., Sprints), Courtney Capper (Fr., Distance), Amber Castillo (Fr., Sprints), Catherine Condly (Fr., Sprints), Hailey Cope (Fr., Throws), and Amy Jaskot (Fr., Sprints)Strengths The strength of this Olympians' team is definitely on the track. With numerous district qualifiers and some of the girls having had the experience of the PIAA Championships, there is a wealth of experience and an influx of newcomers as well. Currently, there are 53 girls on the team, which is the highest total ever at Jim Thorpe.Weaknesses The biggest area of concern right now is all three jumps. The graduation of Reis and Page (both state medalists at one point in their career) is a glaring hole in the lineup. The girls have been working hard in this area and making progress, but there is still significant progress to be made. Also, continued development in the throws is a must if Thorpe wishes to contend for a league title.Quotable "Despite the jump up to 3A for the girls at Districts; there are still numerous expectations within the program to continue to qualify multiple athletes for the District 11 Championships and the PIAA State Championships. A second goal is to be competitive and in the hunt for the Schuylkill League Division 1 Team Championship at the end of the season. Once again, it looks like the league will be especially strong and you will definitely have to show up each meet if you want to win. Hopefully, this day to day competition will better prepare us for the Schuylkill League Meet and District 11 Championships," Head coach Frank Miller.LEHIGHTONHead coach Jake Marushak (1st season)Assistant coaches Jim Blakeslee, Bill Brong, Dennis Semmel, Amber KonekLeague Mountain Valley ConferenceDistrict 11 Classification AAKey losses Vanessa Rimbey, Abby Frey, Sheena WhiteKey returnees Sage Terembula (So., 100 M), Sarah Keer (So., Javelin), Emily Oldt (So., 1600 M/3200 M).Others to watch Lauren McCullion (Sr., Javelin).Strengths Lehighton will have many returning athletes from last year that will definitely be a benefit to the team. The Indians will have an excellent coaching staff and are incorporating new training techniques. They are looking to defend their MVC title.Weaknesses Numbers are always a concern in Track and Field. However, Marushak thinks the talent that his athletes have been showing at practice will more then make up for the number of athletes on the team.Quotable "I am very excited to start the 2011 season. We have many talented returning athletes and even more new faces to the track and I have high expectations for each of them. The entire team has been working hard at practice and I feel confident that we are ready for our opening meet against Pocono Mountain East," Head coach Jake Marushak.MARIANHead coach John Boyle (2nd season)Assistant coaches Pat John, George Ferko, Jerremy Dommer, Andrew Waber, Brain Rodgers, Maria MonteroLast year's record 6-2League Schuylkill LeagueDistrict 11 Classification AAKey losses Devine Porambo, Emily Kennedy, Kaycee Gutsie, Regina Marzen, Katie OwensKey returnees Gillian Ferko (Sr., Throws), Audrey Maff (Sr., Throws), Emma Boyle (Jr., Mid-Distance), Madison Monaco (Jr., Mid-Distance), Kathleen Reily (Sr., Hurdles), Corrine Markiewicz (Sr., Distance), Molly Balliet (So., Distance), Katie Smulligan (Sr., Jumps), Brianna O'Donnell (Sr., Distance), Alex Hutta (So., Sprints).Others to watch Emily Safranko (Fr., Sprints), Grace Boyle (Fr., Jumps), Christina Gurzinski (Fr., Hurdles), Nicole Collevechio (So., Mid-Distance), Tiff Grutza (So., Hurdles), Marrissa Ellis (So., Sprints), Sam O'Donnell (Jr., Distance), Olovia Wildoner (Jr. Sprints), Mary Susan McAndrew (Fr., Distance), Christy Digiandomenico (Fr., Hurdles).Strengths Marian looks to be strong in the middle distance, distance and throwing events. Ferko and Maff are the top returning throwers for the Fillies. Emma Boyle and Monaco will lead the way in the mid-distance.Weaknesses Sprints, jumps and overall depth will be a problem for Marian. Other than Smulligan being a senior in the jumps, freshman Grace Boyle is the only other jumper listed.Quotable "Our goals for the season are to win the D-2 championship, do well at the league and district championships, and to get athletes into states. Last year our girls' team came together and won the championship for the first time in 17 years. We, as a team, are trying to build upon that, take the next step forward and try to compete with the best team in the league. We know it is going to be hard, but the girls are up for the task," Head coach John Boyle.NORTHERN LEHIGHHead coach Michael Lehtonen (4th season)Assistant coaches Mike Bonner, Scott Gerould, Derek Long, Dave OertnerLast year's record 3-9League Colonial LeagueDistrict 11 Classification AAKey losses Kelsey Gallagher (Mid-distance), Steph Pryor (Distance), Gina Krupa (Hurdles).Key returnees Sonya Josephson (Sr., Throws), Lauren Oertner (Sr., Throws), Aimee Oertner (Jr., Throws), Rachel Barnett (Jr., Sprints/Hurdles), Tina Bastardi (Jr., Sprints), Rachel Wagner (Jr., Sprints/Jumps).Others to watch Autumn Stauffer (So., Sprints/Jumps) Megan Rex (Sr., Distance), Samantha Corcoran (Jr., Distance), Rachel Hendrix (So., Distance).Strengths Throws will be strong for Northern Lehigh thanks to the likes of Josephson and the Oertner sisters.Weaknesses The Lady Bulldogs will be lacking depth in the sprints. This may pose a problem with points as the year roles on.Quotable "We have to fill gaps with the departure of last year's graduating class. We will look to develop young talent quickly. Senior leadership will come from the throwing department with Sonya Josephson and Lauren Oertner." Head coach Michael Lehtonen.NORTHWESTERNHead coach Dave Kerschner (8th season)Assistant coaches Tim Churetta, Mike Maclaughlin, Brian Xander, J.J. ReppertLast year's record 9-2League Colonial LeagueDistrict 11 Classification AAAKey losses Lindsay Kerr, Ramzy Burns, Megan Handwerk, Alyssa EverettKey returnees Jenn Groller (Sr., Long Jump/Triple Jump), Jenny Gulick (Sr., Long Jump/Triple Jump), Emma Kemmerer (Jr., Distance), Sarah Murray (Sr., Throws), Nycole Everett (Sr., Throws/High Jump).Others to watch Amy Everett (Fr., Sprints), Haley Yost (Fr., Distance).Strengths The strengths for Northwestern should be with their distance runners and throwers. The Tigers have a lot of experience returning in the distance events led by Kemmerer and Boehm. With the throwers, they have two returning senior medalists from last year's team in Murray and Everett. Murray will be competitive in the shot put and javelin, while Everett will be competitive in the discus.Weaknesses The Tigers lost a ton of leadership, experience and great athletes from last year's team. They will be looking to upperclassmen and underclassmen alike to step up and contribute some of those points that have been lost. Northwestern is not super strong in any one area, but should be very consistent in all areas.Quotable "The past two or three years we have had the goal of winning the Colonial League Championship. I think we have revised our goals somewhat for this season, but we still expect to be very competitive in the league. If our younger girls and first-time participants develop quicker than expected then we could sneak up on some teams and compete for a league championship," Head coach Dave Kerschner.PALMERTONHead coach Michael Gombert (Fourth season)Assistant coaches Bethany Rowland, Jim Hay, Jeff Minnich, Dwight Henninger, Lanny Buck, Kris HoffnerLast year's record 6-5 overallLeague Colonial LeagueDistrict 11 Classification AAKey losses Lisa Bisbing, Wynnie Green, Allison Horinko, Alyssa WentzKey returnees Kristen Romano (Sr., Hurdles/Sprints), Casey Rinfret (Sr., Sprints/Jumps), Jill Farkas (Sr., Middle Distance), Kelsey Hay (Jr., Throws), Lindsey Pekurny (Jr., Sprints), Andrea Stevko (Jr., Distance), Sam Doherty (So., Pole Vault/Jumps), Jess Pereira (So., Sprints/Jumps), Lauryn Solt (So., Jumps/Sprints)Others to watch Sarah Andrews (Sr., Sprints), Michayla Doherty (So., Pole Vault), Morgan Mummey (So., Middle Distance), Jess Debski (Fr., Sprints/Hurdles), Kaelyn Englert (Fr., Sprints), Arissa Snyder (Fr., Hurdles/Sprints)Strengths On the track, the Bombers are talented in the sprints while in the field events they should gain points in the throwing and jumping events.Weaknesses Depth is a concern for the Blue Bombers, who only have a few upperclassmen.Quotable "With a roster of only five seniors, we will have to rely on significant contributions from our underclassmen. However, despite a lack of depth, there are several athletes who should make our team competitive in the Colonial League," Head coach Michael Gombert.PANTHER VALLEYHead coach Francy O'Gorman (First season)Assistant coaches Michelle Markovich, Jason HarrisonLast year's record 0-6League Schuylkill LeagueDistrict 11 Classification AAKey losses Krista Montz (Sprints), Kayla Nunemacher (Discus), Kaitley Covine (Distance).Key returnees Samantha Blum (Sr., Hurdles), Olivia Markovich (Jr., Sprints), Steph Blum (Jr., Sprints).Others to watch Rylie Kraph (Fr., Sprints), Marley Mikovich (Fr., Jumps), Jordan Kulp (So., Sprints).Strengths The Lady Panthers are hard working and have high expectations for themselves.Weaknesses A lack of numbers will make earning team wins difficult for PV.Quotable "We have a real low number of girls on the team. They do have the drive to win, so we're focusing more on individual events." Head coach Francy O'Gorman.PLEASANT VALLEYHead coach Michael Wertman (5th season)Assistant coaches Drew Davis, Michelle Piontkowski, Wayne Davenport, Woody MetzgerLast year's record 2-5League Mountain Valley ConferenceDistrict 11 Classification AAAKey losses Barbara Cassese, Amira Jones , Allison Keely, Larissa Lopez, Kelly Klapatch, Heather Voigt, Kelsey YocumKey returnees Naomi Cayo-Nelson (So., Sprints), Narmoni Marbury (Jr., Sprints), Mykia Crenshaw (Jr., Sprints), Jen McKee (So., Throws), Losi Kearse (Sr., Jumps), Stacy Wojy (Jr., Distance), Emily Mieles (So., Hurdles), Samantha Klingel (Sr., Distance), Christina McGill (Sr., Sprints), Paloma Ortiz (Sr., Throws), Althea Ross (Sr., Distance), Brittany Dunay (Sr., Jumps), Jessica Welkey (Jr., Throws), Stefanie Bobynskyj (Sr., Hurdles), Mallory Snook (Jr., Hurdles)Strengths The Bears have a number of successful returning athletes and also some newcomers that have talent.Weaknesses Pleasant Valley will need to rely on some young and inexperienced girls in almost all events.Quotable "We need to develop our newcomers early and develop leaders from our returning members. Our younger kids will have great examples in veteran returnees Samantha Klingel, Brittany Dunay and Losena Kearse," Head coach Michael Wertman .TAMAQUAHead coach Tom Kanger (8th season)Assistant coaches Sam Schaffer, Mike Sakash, Chuck Fayash, John Kotchmar, Jerry Zubey, Cortney Wehr.Last year's record 7-0 overallLeague Schuylkill LeagueDistrict 11 Classification AAKey losses Brittany Hill, Jackie Stewart, Katie Hummel, Samantha Digilio, Kailee Rottet.Key returnees Allison Updike (Javelin), Christine Streisel (Javelin), Amber Carroll (Middle Distance), Taylor Gerber (Hurdles/Sprints), Dana Ansbach (400/800), Kelsey Patrick (800/1600), Kayla Hope, (Jumps/Sprints), Maria Streisel (Sprints/Jumps), Cecily Kohlmeir (400/800), Carly O'Malley (Discus/400), Caitlin Trainer (400/Hurdlles), Schuyler Schmidt (1600/3200), Emily Bumbulsky (1600/3200), Alaina Reese (Pole Vault/High Jump), Melody Kelly (Pole Vault), Stacey Wallace (Discus), Alexandra Wagner (400/Hurdles), Julie Lesniak (Hurdles), Jessica Leiby (800/1600), Alyssa Keich (1600/3200).Others to watch Rebecca Minehan (Pole Vault/Hurdles), Stefanie Gensure (Middle distance), Caroline Kanaskie (Throws/Sprints).Strengths The Raiders will be strong in the throwing events, especially in the javelin where defending state champion Allison Updike and returning state medalists Christine Streisel both return. In addition, Amber Carroll is expected to be among the top middle distance runners in the league and district.Weaknesses Depth could be an issue. Tamaqua needs to develop its underclassmen into scoring athletes.Quotable "Our team goal is to challenge for the division championship in the league. Our individual goals are to send several athletes and a relay team to the state meets again this season. Allison Updike will be attempting to repeat as State Champion as Christine Streisel and Amber Carroll will be looking to improve on last year's medal placements," Head coach Tom Kanger .