Area Schuylkill League track teams are eager to return to action after missing last season.

While a number of talented athletes didn’t get to compete in 2020 and have since graduated, there are others hopeful to take advantage of this year’s opportunity and achieve success at the league, district and state levels.

Among local Schuylkill teams, Lehighton has a new head coach in Erica Pagotto, as does Weatherly in Ryan Kately. Meanwhile, Panther Valley welcomes back a former mentor in Bob Thomas.

BOYS

JIM THORPE

NEW LOOK

... The losses of CJ Selby (sprints/jumps) and Jimmy Schwartz (mid-distance), among others, along with a lack of depth from a squad that went 6-1 in Division I of the Schuylkill League Two seasons ago will alter the approach for the Olympians this spring. “Unlike in recent seasons where team goals were included within the individual goals, this season will be a focus on the individual for all event groups,” said Jim Thorpe head coach Frank Miller. “The experienced athletes will be pushed to meet their goals as an individual, and the younger athletes will be developed with the long-term process in mind, and not rushed into events for competition sake to allow proper technique development for long-term growth, as compared to possible short-term dual meet points.”

WHO TO WATCH

... There is still plenty of talent on this team. A.J. Bailor (senior, throws), Chris Strika (senior, sprints), Chris Condly (senior, jumps), David Richards (junior, hurdles/jumps), Aiden Clements (junior, sprints/jumps) and Ryan Bailor (sophomore, distance) will all be in search of success this season. Bailor was a runner-up to teammate William Munson in the District 11 Class 2A shot put in 2019, and recently committed to continue his track and field career at Division I Monmouth University.

READY TO MAKE SOME NOISE

... Ridge Snyder (sophomore, distance) Bradyn Thompson (senior, sprints), Ben Seachrist (junior, sprints), Ja’Dier Smith (senior, sprints), Brett Balliet (sophomore, hurdles), David Fiorito (sophomore, sprints/jumps), Salvatore Capria (freshman, sprints/jumps) and Maximus Fitzpatrick (freshman, sprints) also have a shot to excel this season.

FULL SPEED AHEAD

... No matter the circumstances, expect Thorpe to hit the ground running - and jumping; and throwing - this season. “Despite our low numbers, we are attacking this season as we do every other season; work backward from the district meet in our training progression to ensure the individual has the best chance at success at our end of the year meets,” Miller said.

LEHIGHTON

IN CHARGE

... Erica Pagotto is set to begin her first season as the Tribe’s track and field head coach. Pagotto, who is also Lehighton’s head cross-country coach, takes over for Jim Blakeslee, who remains on the staff as an assistant.

KEY LOSSES

... The Tribe will have to replace the departed Evan Deem, Brett Gasker, Alex Zeigenfuss, Matt Smith, Noah Kratzer, Isaiah Wetzel, Logan Lichtenwalner, Nick Karpowicz and Matt Hahn this season.

STEPPING IN

... Look for Jayvon McDowell (senior, high jump) and Richard Yturrino (senior, mid-distance) to be among the team’s top returnees this season.

STEPPING UP

... Zander Bauer (junior, throws), Gauge Hartney (junior, throws) and Owen Serfass (freshman, distance) will also be in the mix for the Tribe this year. “We have a lot of young athletes this season,” said Pagotto. “Half of our team is made up of freshmen, so these athletes did not compete since seventh grade middle school track and field. We have a lot of potential talent, and we look forward to watching them grow over the next four years. We are relying on the upperclassmen to provide guidance and leadership to these young athletes.”

MOVING FORWARD

... After going 1-5 in Division I of the Schuylkill League in 2019, Pagotto and her coaches, who include, Blakeslee, Darren Frehulfer, Vanessa Rimbey, Gwen Remaley, Tim Sharrow, Nick Constantino, Tony Pagotto and Blade McCabe, want to establish a strong foundation for solid results this season and future success. “We are aiming to create a strong base with our large group of freshmen,” she said. “We want to set a high standard now so they can reach their full potential over the next four years.”

MARIAN

WELCOME BACK

... Marian coach Justin Huegel calls it a return to normalcy. “Our kids have been chomping at the bit to get back after it. I’m sure a lot of kids feel like last season was stolen from them, but we have already put that behind us. Our kids know what is in front of them. After having a season off, we now all have the opportunity to start from scratch and begin moving forward. It is almost refreshing in a way, because you got to spend time in the lab experimenting and figuring out where you could improve. Now, we all get to test those theories and strategies.”

VETERANS

... The Colts racked up a 5-2 season in 2019 and, with an eight-pack of returning veterans from that team, Huegel feels the squad will only get better and stronger with each outing. Among the veterans the Colts are counting on are Justen Arriaga, Ben Artz, Ean Chelak, Kevin Earley, Corey Rehnert, Jake Fenstermaker, Alex Kokosky and Gavin Vercusky. All eight will make a contribution as the season moves on, and Huegel is high on their potential.

KEEP AN EYE ON

... There are five untested members of the 2021 squad that Huegel sees a lot of promise in - Robert Jones, Liam Sanphy, Michael Fellin, Robert Sunder, Jonny Malarkey.

RELAY STRENGTH

... Huegel said that hard work - along with some excellent returning talent - could pay dividends in both the 1600 and 3200 relays. He says the relay teams have set high standards, and are relentless in their pursuit to excel. Should the 400 relay team come to the fore, it will give the Colts plenty of scoring power in the track events.

LOOKING FOR GOOD THINGS

... “Our team is a strong mix of experience, talent, potential, and work ethic,” said Huegel. “They have begun to separate themselves as leaders and competitors pushing each other. They have already set their sights on competing for the Schuylkill League Division II championship, and are looking to turn some heads at the league and district meet as well.

“We have athletes who have set their sights on individual goals, but they know their individual goals are going to help them achieve the team goals as well. It has been encouraging to see how our athletes have lifted one another up and pushed each other every day.”

PANTHER VALLEY

THE NUMBERS GAME

... Small schools like Panther Valley have taken a hit numbers-wise due to COVID-19. Head coach Bob Thomas and his staff not only see small numbers on the high school side, but also among the junior varsity track athletes, too. “Getting back to school (COVID-19 impact) along with transportation issues are showing up for this spring,” said Thomas.

HOPING TO MAKE AN IMPACT

... Despite the numbers being low Thomas said some individuals could shine, including a few returnees since 2019. There are seven veterans in the fold starting with Seth Berk, Matt Kokinda, Brad Jones, Matt Prudente, Trey McAndrew, Tremaine Ervine, and Antonio Perilli.

HIS CALL

... With the numbers low on both sides, Thomas says individuals can produce in their respective events. “I really feel that some of our kids will be fine. They’re talented as individuals, but having low numbers is going to hurt us (overall). But anytime you can get kids to participate it gives them an opportunity to be good at their individual events.”

INDIVIDUAL SUCCESS

... “I believe the outlook for the Panther Valley Track and Field season with the new additions and the returnees will have better individual results rather than final team results,” said Thomas. “I feel numbers will hurt us team wise, however individually I feel we will be more competitive. We are expecting greater results at the end of our season in the league and district meets.”

OFFERING HELP

... Assistant coaches under Thomas will be Charlie Cox and Joe Steber, while Paul McArdle and Brad Jones will be volunteer coaches.

TAMAQUA

PRE-PANDEMIC

... When the 2019 season wrapped up, Tamaqua was looking forward to the following season. Head coach Tom Kanger believed his squad would be highly competitive. But COVID-19 prevented the season and that opportunity from happening. Among the Raiders who lost their senior seasons’ to the virus were Matthew Kistler, Pierce Demetriades, Jake Barron, Barron Stauffenberg, Brandon Fogarty, Chris Osenbach, Nick DiMarco, Zeno Zukovich, Charles Kabana, and Casey Aujebs.

HARD TO MAKE UP

... Kanger said the season that was lost depleted the squad of standout performers. “We lost several great athletes who were state qualifiers,” he said. “The team we are returning this season will probably have some growing pains. Although, I expect us to be strong in the throws and jumping events, with a few distance and sprints mixed in from our first-year participants.”

WHO CAN HELP

... Kanger knows experience is the best teacher, but some inexperienced athletes like Brady Sherry, Tyler Steigerwalt, Tait Ehrig, Alex Barron, Steve Kostecky, Zach McGlinchey, Love Ortiz and Luca Cammarota have the potential to solve some of the problems that graduation created.

WEATHERLY

THESE GUYS ARE GOOD ...

There’s a fever for running at Weatherly, and there are plenty of good athletes who will be competing in the track events. Remember the District 11 Class 1A championship cross-country team? Well, a lot of those champion runners are pumping up the volume on the track as well. Head coach Ryan Kately sees a lot of positive vibes being carried over.

DISTANCE STRENGTH

... The distance events will be the pillar of this squad, starting with senior Scotty Zoscin. The headliner is backed by a number of superb runners in juniors Frankie Willis, and sophomores Jacob Parker and Michael Berger.

ON THE RISE

... The boys’ team saw an increase in numbers, Kately said. Leading the way in throws will be senior Jacob Solonoski in the discus and shot put, along with junior Timothy Maguschak and sophomore Jaiden Eubanks in the javelin. In the sprints, two newcomers are featured in senior Tristen Dempsey and sophomore Ian McLaurin.

HOW HE SEES IT

... Kately is fired up, as is the team. “I am looking forward to having a track season this year and giving the athletes the season they deserve,” Kately said. “They have been thinking about this season for a whole year now and are ready to go. We’re going to do whatever it takes with protocols and precautions to get this season in. We learned from last year to take nothing for granted, and we’re hungrier than ever to get out and compete.”

GIRLS

JIM THORPE

LAST RUN

... The Olympians return 2019 Times News/Lehigh Valley Health Network Female Track Athlete of the Year Lydia Wallace. As a freshman, she set school records in the 400 and the 800. She won the District 11 AA 400 and was runner - up in the 800. As a sophomore, she won the district title in the 800 and took second in the 400. She made the state finals for the 300 hurdles, and took home a sixth-place medal. She also qualified for states in the 800 as a sophomore, but did not make it into the finals. Wallace is set to continue her track and field career at Division I Rider University. The senior will compete in hurdles, sprints and the 800 this season.

LEAVING A VOID

... Kylee Dulski (hurdles), Kristen Scott (throws) and Holly Skrimcovsky (throws) will all be missed on the track and in the field.

COMING BACK

... In addition to Wallace, Thorpe also returns Tessa Bevilacqua (senior, pole vault), Caprice Lynch (senior, jumps), Brandy Montemuro (senior, jumps), Laura Clarke (junior, throws), Megan Rosahac (junior, distance), Abigail McGinley (senior, mid-distance/jumps).

ADDING DEPTH

... After posting a 3-3 mark in 2019, the Olympians and head coach Frank Miller, now in his 15th season, will be looking for Katelyn Bos (junior, distance), Nichole Carroll (sophomore, distance), Aurora VanAuken (sophomore, sprints), Katrin Cavanaugh (sophomore, hurdles/jumps), Kaila O’Connor (freshman, sprints/jumps), Aubrey Bonner (freshman, distance) and Leah Wasko (freshman, hurdles) to take another step forward competing in Division I of the Schuylkill League. “The team does lack roster size, but has the ability to produce standouts in all event areas due to a nice blend of returning experience, and new talent coming into the program. Of all event groups, the distance girls have the most experience and the most depth on the team,” said Miller.

COMING TOGETHER

... Miller believes the squad’s ingredients will produce a recipe for success. “The blend of experienced and younger athletes has been fun to coach. Each day of practice has seen development in all areas, which is exciting for the season ahead,” he said.

LEHIGHTON

TAKING OVER

... Erica Pagotto is set to begin her first season as the Tribe’s track and field head coach. Pagotto, who is also Lehighton’s head cross-country coach, takes over for Jim Blakeslee, who remains on the staff as an assistant.

SHOES TO FILL

... The Indians will have to replace the likes of Kaia Slaw, Karissa Hough and Ashley Wojton. Slaw, who committed to Division I Bucknell University when she was a senior, extended her own school record in the triple jump and moved closer to two more in the long jump, and high jump as a junior. Her senior season was lost when the season was canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic. A leap of 37-4.75, and a runner-up finish in the Class 3A triple jump at the district meet, guaranteed Slaw a trip to states in the event for the second straight year. Her 5-3 in the high jump hit the state qualifying standard - a height she had cleared just once before during the season - and her 17-9.5 in the long jump was also a personal best and good enough for a second-place finish. At states, Slaw recorded top-15 finishes in the high jump (tied for 14th) and triple jump (15th), and placed 19th in the long jump.

STRONG CORE

... Lehighton will be able to build around the experience of returnees Brittney Bartasavage (junior, hurdles), Megan Aaron (junior, long jump and triple jump), Abby Meckes (junior, discus) and Kelsey Gaston (senior, distance). Isabella Mystkowski (sophomore, hurdles), Faith Yeakal (sophomore, hurdles) and Katie Wojton (sophomore, mid-distance) will also be key contributors this season. “After being shut down last year, the girls are eager to perform and compete,” said Pagotto. “The talent is spread out in a variety of events. Brittney Bartasavage was the Schuylkill League 100 m hurdle champion as a freshman. Kelsey Gaston was the Times News Girls Cross Country Athlete of the Year. Megan Aaron was a point-scorer two years ago in the long and triple jump. We are excited to see what the girls will do this season.”

HIGH HOPES

... After posting a 5-1 mark in 2019, Pagotto is hopeful the squad can once again compete at a high level in Division I of the Schuylkill League again this season. “We are looking forward to a competitive season,” she said. “We have strong leaders in each area on the track, as well as the field events.”

MARIAN

FILLIES CAN IMPRESS

... Yes 2020 is blank on the record book, but the number that jumps off the chart comes from the previous season when the Fillies were an outstanding 7-0, and captured a divisional championship.

WHAT’S UP

... There are five veterans who know what it takes to win as they enter into their senior season - Jamison Wheeler, Grace Curnow, Haley Curnow, Kelly Sullivan and Isa Genao. Head coach Justin Huegel will be counting on that group heavily.

NUMBERS STRONG

... Huegel is also happy with a number of underclassmen, and the potential they have displayed. Included in that group are Eliza Bauder, Rebecca Boyle, Jenna Goff, Alexis Fellin, Mya Tejada, Kerrigan Digris, Ashley Pleban, Desiree Milosh, Charisma Hiles and Madison Dando.

ON A MISSION

... Huegel says the girls’ relay teams have taken the approach they have something to prove. With a mix of experience and potential, they are already setting themselves up to raise the bar high. Huegel is aglow these days, and has high hopes for all three relay teams.

HIGH EXPECTATIONS

... Going into 2020, Huegel said the squad was looking for a Schuylkill League Division II repeat. Although the pandemic prevented that opportunity, Huegel says the expectations haven’t changed. The Fillies know the X is on their backs, and Huegel feels that is only going to push the squad to work harder, making each participant better across the board.

HUEGEL’S TAKE

... With no running last spring, Huegel is happy just to get a chance to return to the track this season. “With 2020 being an off year, our girls have decided to just look at this season as an opportunity to finish the job we have been working toward since the end of the 2019 season. With every accomplishment they have had, they are hungry for more, and hungry to push themselves further. Without a season a year ago, we had the opportunity to reassess what we need to do to help each athlete move from good to great, then great to elite. We aren’t taking a single day for granted as the 2021 season approaches.”

PANTHER VALLEY

LOST SEASON RETURNED

... Panther Valley’s track program, like all sports teams, is looking to pick up the pieces for head coach Bob Thomas and his staff. Questions abound for sure, and the Panthers will hope to regroup with a number of potential skilled athletes.

LOOKING TO COMPETE

... Panther Valley has a number of girls that will try and produce points. Mikayla Weaver, Alexandra Janner, Hailey Shreffler, Chloe Dikeman, Autumn Stiebler, Jacqui Kokinda, Sadie Trubilla, Rebecca Jones, Izabella Bochicchio, Emily Newton, and Adriana Tavares should be a decent base to draw upon. Some of the aforementioned will be interchangeable.

WATCH LIST

... Others to keep an eye out for this season include Mergim Bushati, Molly Newton, Courtney Rickert, and Hilary Shreffler.

POSITIVE OUTLOOK

... “It sure is going to be a numbers game for our girls,” Thomas said. “We did get better (in 2019) as the season moved forward. We are not sure of where some of the girls will fit in. That’s something we have to go day-by-day and with each practice. But, the most important thing, we have girls that want to compete and are determined to be good at whatever event they participant in.”

TAMAQUA

LOSSES

... Tamaqua, which went 4-2 in 2019, lost some outstanding athletes who never got the chance to compete during their senior seasons one year ago in Brianna Dumond, Emily Titus and Ashlei Arthurton,

“We lost a few great athletes and state qualifiers to graduation,” Tamaqua coach Tom Kanger said. “In addition, we are moving into a more competitive Class 3A field this year, so it will be a growing season.”

RETURNEES

... While some key graduation losses and the step up in class will provide some obstacles for the Raiders to overcome, Kanger is excited about the season’s potential. “I expect our team to make some good progress as the season wears on,” said Kanger. “Athletes I expect to standout include Caitlin Simith, Frances Kaana, Grace Stegemerten, Ashley Jones, Riley Wenzel, Sophia Boyle and Alexa Stianche, to name a few.”

MORE NAMES

... Alana Troxell, Lottie Mateyak, Logan Hartney, Brynn Gigli and Olivia Eckert are others who will be counted on heavily.

“We have a good mix of experience and talent in this group of girls,” said Kanger. “They all have a lot of promise.”

WEATHERLY

WHO’S BACK?

... Head coach Ryan Kately sees several stars that can shine this spring, starting with Rhianna Markovich, a District 11 medalist in 2019 in the long jump. She’s not just a one-event performer either, as she also can help with the sprints and hurdles.

MORE STARS

... Lurking and anxious to get her final season off to a good start is Isabella Wagner, who captains the team. Wagner will compete in the sprints and hurdles. There’s a third star on the rise as well in youthful sophomore Danielle Gordon, who has stamina and is the Wreckers’ best distance runner, according to Kately.

LOOKING TO HELP

... Kately is expecting a banner season for a first-year runner in Kendell Gerhart. She’s versatile, says her coach, and will be featured in a variety of events. The Wrecker head coach said Gerhart can be used in the jumps, as well as track events ranging from the 100-meter dash to the 1600-meter run.

NUMBERS LOW

... Kately said the squad isn’t stacked with a lot of competitors. “Our team is low in numbers this year, so as a coach I just want to see these girls work hard with each other and help each other out. They are a great group to coach. We don’t have many girls, but the ones we do have are very talented and hard workers.”

WHAT CAPTAINS DO

... Kately loves how the girls have taken ownership of the program. “Our older girls have been great,” Kately said. “I can’t say enough about Isabella (Wagner). She has stepped up, and is helping the younger and newer athletes.”