There is a wealth of talent returning for Times News area girls track and field teams this season.

Jim Thorpe's Brooke Cope and Tamaqua's Monika Shimko earned medals at the PIAA Track and Field Championships last season, and the duo will look to close their careers on the podium at Shippensburg's Seth Grove Stadium.Cope and Shimko highlight a group of already accomplished athletes, while several newcomers will be looking to make their mark and establish their own legacy this season.Let's take a look at each program.JIM THORPEAIMING HIGH... Senior Brooke Cope capped last season with a fifth-place finish in Class 3A competition in the javelin at the PIAA Track and Field Championships. Cope, who will continue her track and field career at the University of Pennsylvania, is a three-time state qualifier in the event. Cope was also a Schuylkill League champion in the shot put and placed third in the event at districts. Despite losing Brooke's sister, Autumn Cope, a former Schuylkill League and District 11 champion who also was a state qualifier in the javelin, Olympians' head coach Frank Miller is hoping the recent success in the throwing events carries over into the early part of the season. "The throwing events, led by Brooke Cope, will be a strong suit, especially early in the season so other areas of the team can be developed," said Miller.STRONG SUIT... In addition to a strong crop of throwers, Miller will also be counting on a veteran group in several track events to score valuable points. "The hurdle and sprint group return lots of experience from last season in the form of league and district qualifiers," said Miller. Seniors Dastyn Loyd (sprints) and Jillian Peterson (hurdles/jumps), along with juniors Monae Bullock (sprints), Emma Dunbar (sprints), Noelle Fasolino (sprints/jumps) and Mackenzie Rosenberger (hurdles/jumps) are likely to be key contributors this season. Fasolino was fourth in the high jump at the Schuylkill League meet last year, while Dunbar finished fifth in the 100 and Bullock took seventh in the 200.FILLING THE VOID... Jim Thorpe must also replace Meghann Principe (mid-distance) and Erin Shigo (throws/jumps). Look for senior Delana Nalesnik (distance), juniors Alexandra McGinley (mid-distance) and Jordan Waselus (throws/jumps), Devon Lignore (throws) and sophomores Debbie Loyd (jumps) and Marnea Wise (sprints/jumps) to take on bigger roles this season. "The attitude and approach of the girls team this season has been fantastic so far," said Miller. "Most of the team participated in the offseason program and has built upon that foundation early in the season. The vibe for success has been positive and the girls have been focused on attaining the goals they set for themselves." McGinley (800) and Wise (long jump) both earned sixth-place finishes at last year's Schuylkill League meet.GOING DOWN... Coming off a 4-2 season in Schuylkill League Division I competition, the Olympians should benefit from dropping down to Class 2A this spring. "With moving back down to 2A, it provides substantially more opportunities for postseason qualification and possible success," said Miller. "The coaches believe that the girls can build off last season's team success to be competitive in each dual meet this season."LEHIGHTONA FIXTURE... This season will be head coach Jim Blakeslee's 32nd coaching track and field, and fourth as Lehighton's head coach.NEW FACES... Lehighton will have a couple of new coaches assisting Blakeslee this year, as John Henne (jumps) and Erica Pagotto (distance) will be a part of the Indians' staff.COMING AND GOING... Though Lehighton loses Holly Bollinger (throws), the Indians have a nice amount of depth returning in the form of seniors Jada Whitman (sprints), Rajah Quinones (sprints), Grace Shanton (hurdles), Alexis Barndt (hurdles), Mary Grace Collins (throws) and Cera Gaston (distance); and sophomores Isabelle Meckes (throws) and Amanda Mathisen (distance). "Our strength is that we have a lot of returning participants who scored points last year," said Blakeslee. "Our weakness is that we have a pretty young team, but that will be offset a little by the fact that we had a successful middle school track and field program last year. We are beginning to build numbers again which is refreshing for our high school program."SOMETHING TO BUILD ON... Whiteman was third in the 400 at the Schuylkill League meet. Barndt and Shanton were fifth and sixth, respectively, in the 100 hurdles at the league meet. Shanton was also fifth in the 300 hurdles at leagues. Gaston was fifth in the 1,600 and 3200 at leagues, and Meckes placed sixth in the discus.MOVING FORWARD... Lehighton posted a 1-5 mark in Schuylkill League Division I competition last year, but Blakeslee likes what he's seen from this season's team and expects the results to reflect his optimism. "We have great competitors and a super venue," Blakeslee said, referencing the newly renovated multi-purpose stadium. "Our goal is to win more meets than we did a year ago."MARIANFIELD DAY... The Fillies return senior Brenna Karnish, a state qualifier and district runner-up in the shot put. Karnish was also third in the discus and eighth in the long jump at districts. She was a Schuylkill League runner-up in both the discus, long jump and triple jump, and placed fourth in the shot put. Sophomore Emma McClafferty burst on the scene a year ago with a district title in the discus (117-11) and a trip to the state meet. "When it comes to our field events, it doesn't hurt to have two returning state qualifiers leading the throws with Brenna Karnish and Emma McClafferty. They are doing a great job with leading the underclassmen as well," said Marian head coach Francis Lally.LEADER OF THE PACK... Marian will once again look to Tina Capparell for a big season. The junior was a Schuylkill League and District 11 Class 2A champion in the 1600, and also placed second in the 800 at the district meet. Capparell was a state qualifier in both events and has plenty of momentum after earning her third state medal during the cross country season. "Our middle distance will be headed by junior Tina Capparell, and senior Natalia Konitzer (4th in 400 at districts). I believe we have a very strong presence within our middle distance core, I cannot wait to see how our relay teams do come time for districts," said Lally.INSIDE-OUT... Fresh off an undefeated (6-0) season in Schuylkill League Division II competition, Lally is hoping a strong winter will be rewarded with another stellar spring. "We had a great indoor season starting back in November. The girls have been working incredibly hard in the weight room, and doing the extra workouts on their own," he said.SPRINTING TO THE FINISH... While Lally feels good about the middle distance events, he's also encouraged about the shorter races as well. "Our sprinters will be lead by Camaryn Wheeler. She is set to have a banner year, and she is one of the hardest working individuals I have been around," he said.NORTHERN LEHIGHCLOSE BOND… Bulldog coach Mike Lehtonen is getting support from other coaches in the district, something he feels is a huge benefit. "While you sometimes hear about coaches at some schools encouraging their kids to be 'year-round specialists' in just one sport, the other coaches in our district have been very supportive of the track program. Football coach Joe Tout and field hockey coach Jess Frew are a couple of the coaches who have encouraged their athletes to play multiple sports, but it's not only them. All of our coaches have been great."NO TIME OFF… Multisport star Jill Olewine is in the last leg of her three-sport career at Northern Lehigh. The junior excelled playing field hockey in the fall and carried that success to the hardwood during the basketball season. Now she's hoping to pick up where she left off last season in track. Olewine returns in the jumps after qualifying for states last year. Lehtonen labeled the talented athlete as a "multi-event" individual for the Bulldogs.LOOKING TO CONTRIBUTE… Franki Dibilio hopes to continue her momentum in the throws after medaling as a freshman at the district meet last season. Seniors Darby Pender (hurdles) and Karlyna Kemery (sprints), and sophomore Katie Guelcher (distance) all have the potential to make a name for themselves.LEADERS OF THE PACK… Experience is key in any sport. Lehtonen has a perfect duo for the job with senior captains Darby Pender and Karlyna Kemery, who will look to guide the Bulldogs with their experience and talent.ONLY WAY IS UP… The Bulldogs ended last season with a 4-7 overall record. However, with the combination of numbers and overall attitude, Lehtonen feels there is the potential to get the program back on track. "The coaching staff is pleased with the turnout and work ethic of this year's team," he said "With many young and new athletes, the team is working hard to find events that match strengths of individuals and fit the team's needs."NORTHWESTERNSTELLA INTERRUPTION... A year after being spoiled by Mother Nature, getting practice started outside, not in the gymnasium, the Tigers - and everybody else in the coverage area - are stuck indoors and on the parking lots until the spring snow melts. "We have been down this road before and will do our best with the facilities we have to prepare our girls for competition and for them to compete at the highest level," said Northwestern coach Charles Groller.PRIORITIES... It's not just about wins and losses for Groller. "As a team, academics are always our No. 1 priority," he said. "Education and sports are both very important to our student-athletes at Northwestern Lehigh. The team works hard, they have a great attitude, and most of all they have fun. Our seniors and our experienced returning team members show great and positive leadership in helping new and upcoming, less-experienced athletes. This has been a big plus for us over the years in winning championships and being a top contender in the league."YOUNG, BUT EXPERIENCED... Last year's squad rattled off a 9-2 overall record and finished third in both the Colonial League regular season and at the Colonial League Championship Meet. While seniors Emily Renner, Courtney Page, Stacy Everett, Hannah Gough, Elizabeth Fornauf and Brooke Devers return for their final campaign, the Tigers will also rely on the youth of the program to match last season's mark or surpass it. Juniors Molly Tarvin, Hannah Herzon, Abigail Chisdak, Gabrielle Sevrain, Maya Hambrick, and Jordan Lowthert, along with sophomores Madeline Consuelos and Alyssa Zack, all add important varsity experience.PILLARS FOR SUCCESS... Groller has the utmost faith in his program. "Our areas of strength this season will be in distance, sprints, hurdles, discus, javelin, and triple jump. For us to be successful, and for us to be a contender in winning the regular season and the league championship, our girls will need to give their personal best at every track meet and in every track event they participate in this season. The girls will need to get first-place finishes, and will need to understand that if they don't, they will need all of the second and third-place finishes they can get in order for us to have the opportunities to win track meets."PALMERTONSECOND STINT... Head coach Mike Gombert is back for another year with Palmerton track and field. Gombert served as the Bombers' head coach from 2008 to 2013. But, after Jeff Minnich had to relinquish his coaching duties to conflicts between work and practice times, Gombert decided to come back for a second stint. Although it will be his first year back, Gombert will be in his seventh year overall as the Bombers' mentor.BACK FOR ANOTHER SEASON... Junior Destiny Mokshefski and sophomores Madison Martinez and Sayler Burke are young, but seasoned at the varsity level. All three Bombers return for another season and look to put their overall talents to the test in sprints, jumps and hurdles. Mokshefski and Burke return to sprints and jumps. Martinez is a sprinter as well, but runs the hurdles too.ONLY WAY IS UP... The Blue Bombers didn't record a win last season. Gombert and his staff are working with the numbers they have to show improvement this season. "We return only four athletes from a year ago, so we are in the early phase of a rebuilding process," he said. "Our best athletes have to perform at a high level in every meet and our freshmen and other newcomers must develop quickly for the team to enjoy success."YOUTH MOVEMENT... There are only two seniors (Tricia Billig and Tasia Biege) on the Bombers' squad and only four athletes (Mokshefski, Martinez, Burke and Kyla Brown) return with experience from last year's team. Gombert pointed out that half of the team is comprised of freshmen, who are fresh off being a part of the first year junior high track team last season. Billig returns after a year off from the sport, while Biege is out for track for the first time. Brown suffered an injury that forced her to miss most of the season a year ago.PANTHER VALLEYSETTLING IN... Head coach Bob Thomas is entering his third season as Panther Valley's head coach. Thomas has built a strong foundation for the Panthers, and seems to increase the program's numbers each year.RETURNEES... Junior Sam Williams placed eight in the 100 hurdles at the District 11 Class 2A meet last season, and should only get better with more experience. In addition to Williams, junior Shelby Stempa (sprints/long jump) and sophomores Hailey Henninger (sprints) and Alexa Ruzicka (sprints/jumps) are likely to be key contributors this season. Ruzicka placed eighth in the long jump and 10th in the triple jump at last year's Schuylkill League meet.OTHERS TO WATCH... Senior Kiley Boswell (hurdles), juniors Alyssa Buss (throws) and Tia Ketchledge (mid-distance), along with sophomores Sarah Hood (hurdles) and Sam Janner (mid-distance) will be counted on to help improve last year's 1-5 mark in Schuylkill League Division II.OUTLOOK... "I feel that we can have strong performances from the returnees. I believe our team spirit, energy, and will to work hard will lead to unexpected performances," Panther Valley head coach Bob Thomas.PLEASANT VALLEYSETTING THE STANDARD… The Bears were 6-5 overall in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference a season ago. However, they held a 4-1 mark in the Mountain Division. Head coach Michelle Piontkowski believes the Bears can improve on that mark this season. "We expect to be competitive in the EPC this year and need contributions from key athletes," she said. "They will need to continue to work hard and improve throughout the season to be a factor in the conference."EXPERIENCE FACTOR… The Bears have plenty of experience returning this season. Back for another season are seniors Tierney Belanger (distance), Maddy Brandt (jumps), Lizz Eberhardt (distance), Sofia Janak (jumps), Shelbi Kiley (throws), Sara Kron (jumps/throws), Darby Reiss (pole vault), Natalia Salmon (throws/jumps), juniors Nicole Brooks-Miller (hurdles), Kennedy DeHaven (jumps/hurdles), Katie Kreciewski (distance), Sarah Larkin (distance), Mary Michael (pole vault), Jalurah Moore (sprints) and sophomores Julia Butchkoski (sprints), Trisha Dominick (distance), Armani Dunkley (sprints/jumps), Sophia Johnson (throws) and Sam Segeda (distance).CONFIDENCE… The Bears' solid numbers should help them be competitive in all events. Moore will once again be accompanied by Dunkley to shore up the sprints. Brandt will be a team leader in the jumps. Johnson should lead the team in the throws after being one of the top freshman throwers in the league a year ago. Michael has been consistently a top contender in the pole vault and Lizz Eberhardt should lead the way in distance events. "We only lost three athletes to graduation, so we are expecting to return top performers in almost every event," said Piontkowski. "Although with the graduation of Jenn Mickens (state qualifier in the 800) and Shelby Jones, our distance girls have big shoes to fill."STEPPING UP... There are a few Bears that have already caught the coaching staff's attention with preseason workouts in their first season with the program or have excelled in their events since last season. Looking to play a role in the Bears' success are juniors Morgan Covart (distance) and Haley White (sprints), along with freshmen Rebecca Makrides (throws) and Luci Mesce (hurdles).TAMAQUATHREE AND COUNTING... Senior Monika Shimko continued her stellar career last season when she captured Schuylkill League and District 11 Class 2A titles in the 800 before rounding out the year with an eighth place medal (2:18.56) in the event at the PIAA Track and Field Championships. This season, Shimko will be going for her fourth straight district title in the discipline.MOVING ON... Tamaqua lost several standouts from last season's squad, including Alexis Baddick (long and triple jump), Allison Pedersen (discus and shot put), Chelsea Frantz (mid-distance), Victoria Labar (mid-distance), Melanie Kostecky (400) and Morgan Boyle (javelin/pole vault). Along with Shimko, Labar and Frantz were members of the district champion 3200 relay and part of the 1600 relay that placed second at districts. Boyle was a district champion in the pole vault and javelin last season. Pedersen was a district champ in the shot put and placed fifth in the discus.COMING BACK... Though a significant amount of talent is gone, the Raiders are still flush with athletes ready to step up and contribute. Junior Shanna Brinkworth returns after qualifying for states following a second-place finish to Boyle in the pole vault at districts. Brinkworth cleared 9-0 at districts.DISTANCE DOMINANCE?... Senior Nicole Wasserleben, juniors Olivia Stanek and Kailee Carroll and sophomore Sarah Maue should provide plenty of depth in the mid-distance and distance events. Carroll was a Schuylkill League champion in the 3200 last season and fifth in the event at districts. Wasserleben placed seventh in the 3200 at districts and was third in the event at leagues. Stanek was a member of the winning 3200 relay team and placed seventh in the 800 at districts. Maue placed sixth in the 1600 at districts and was third in the event at leagues. "Although we lost several top athletes, we return some strong individuals and a solid distance team from cross country," said Kanger, who is also Tamaqua's cross country coach. "If we can develop our younger athletes early in the season we should compete strongly with the top teams in the division."KEEP IT GOING... Seniors Alexa Hromyak (javelin), Deidra Ressler (high jump), Kayala Holland (discus/shot put), Mackenzie McVicker (sprints/jumps), along with juniors Maddie Mace (high jump), Alyssa Campomizzi (javelin) and sophomores April Gerber (400) and Kayla Sherry (sprints) should help the Blue Raiders remain one of the top teams in the Schuylkill League Division I standings after posting a 4-2 mark last season. "We have a solid group of leaders in each discipline with Monika Shimko, Shanna Brinkworth, Nicole Wasserleben, Kayla Sherry, Kayla Holland, Deidra Ressler and several others that can contribute quickly," said Kanger. "We also have some youth with numbers, so we hope to develop into a very competitive team."