There were several standout performances throughout the area last season, and much of that talent returns this spring.

Sophomore Kaila O’Connor had a record-setting freshman campaign for Jim Thorpe, and will look to qualify for states once again this season. Lehighton also returns state qualifiers Brittney Bartasavage and Abby Meckes, the Times News/Lehigh Valley Health Network Female Athlete of the Year, though Meckes is currently sidelined with an injury.

Ana Recker returns for Palmerton after qualifying for states in the pole vault last season.

JIM THORPE

LENDING A HAND

... Frank Miller, entering his 16th season leading the program, is assisted by Joe Jaskot, Eric Moore, Walt Bevilacqua, Will Cameron, Mike McGonigal, Marie Rosahac, Mark Rosenberger, Allie Rossino and Holly Skrimcovsky.

KEY LOSSES

... Competing in Division 1 of the Schuylkill League, the Olympians posted a 3-3 record last season. Thorpe will have to replace Lydia Wallace (sprints/hurdles/mid-distance), Caprice Lynch (jumps) and Brandy Montemuro (jumps) from that squad. Wallace placed eighth in the Class 3A 300 hurdles in 46.73 last season. She was sixth in the Class 2A event as a sophomore. The top seed in the event, Wallace posted a time of 46.31 to win the race at the district meet ahead of Easton’s Autumn Ford (46.41). Wallace also broke the record in the 100 hurdles last season at 15.71. Wallace was the 2019 Times News/Lehigh Valley Health Network Female Track Athlete of the Year.

COMING BACK

... Kaila O’Connor (sophomore, sprints), Leah Wasko (sophomore, sprints/hurdles), Nicole Carroll (junior, mid-distance), Katelynn Bos (senior, distance), Laura Clarke (senior, throws), Ivy Stauffer (senior, throws), Megan Rosahac (senior, distance), Katrin Cavanaugh (junior, jumps) return to lead Jim Thorpe this season. O’Connor set school records in both the 100 and 200 last year. O’Connor ran away with the 200 at last year’s district meet, crossing the line in 25.45. She was seeded second at 25.94. O’Connor also qualified for states in the 100, finishing second with a time of 12.33.

WATCH OUT FOR

... Aubrey Bonner (sophomore, distance), Gabrielle Cinicola (junior, distance), Ehlauna Penn (junior, sprints), Aurora VanAuken (junior, sprints), Avery Scott (junior, sprints/jumps and Olivia Rosenberger (sophomore, sprints/ pole vault) will also be key contributors on this year’s team. “Overall numbers for the team are hovering around 30 girls at this point in time; however with the quality of the returning student-athletes from last season, there are expectations of success,” said Miller. “The returners will be leaned on heavily for team success early on until the newer athletes have the time to develop and become acclimated to success in track and field.”

OUTLOOK

... Despite some key losses, the Olympians return several talented athletes, and should be able to count on a number of underclassmen to step up and fill a number of roles as the season moves forward. “All offseason and in this early season to date, the girls have attacked each day with a purpose to improve,” said Miller. “Individuals have stepped up to replace the leadership skills that Lydia demonstrated for the last four seasons, and the remainder of the girls have followed suit. If we can stay healthy, we should have a chance at postseason success in a variety of events.”

LEHIGHTON

HELPING OUT

... Erica Pagotto, in her second year as head coach, will have Jim Blakeslee, Darren Frehulfer, Vanessa Rimbey, Gwen Rimaley, Tim Sharrow, Nick Constantino and Tony Pagotto as her assistants.

SHOES TO FILL

... Competing in Division 1 of the Schuylkill League, the Indians compiled a 5-1 record last season. Lehighton will have to replace Ashley Beers, Abigail Buffington, Kelsey Gaston and Kendall Mease. Gaston was second in the 3200 at districts last season with a time of 11:52.66 to qualify for states. She was seeded second at 11:33.07.

LAST YEAR

... The Blue Mountain girls (116 points) just held off Lehighton (112) to win the team title at the league meet.

COMING BACK

... Brittney Bartasavage returns after advancing to states in the 100 hurdles with a second-place finish in 15.61. She broke the school record at the Schuylkill League Championships in the 300 hurdles. Her time was 46.96, breaking the previous record held by her coach, Vanessa Rimbey. At leagues she placed first in both the 100 hurdles and the 300 hurdles. Abigail Meckes, the Times News/Lehigh Valley Health Network Female Athlete of the Year, is recovering from surgery on her knee due to an ACL tear and meniscus damage. It’s unclear if she will be released by the end of the season. Meckes was a state qualifier in the discus and javelin last season, placing fifth at in the javelin). At districts, she placed third in the javelin and second in the discus. At leagues, she placed first in both the discus and in the javelin. Madylin Wolter returns after placing third in the discus and fifth in the javelin at leagues. She is also recovering from surgery, but coaches are hopeful she will be able to throw by the end of the season. She is currently training with the distance runners on her road to recovery. Haley Ginder, who finished second in the high jump at leagues, is also back.

OTHERS TO WATCH

... The Indians return a number of athletes who enjoyed success at last year’s league meet, and will be vital to the team’s success this season. Isabella Mystkowski (fifth, pole vault). Megan Aaron (fifth, long jump), Alyssa Zehner (sixth, long jump), Madison Brown (eighth, long jump), Megan Hauser (fifth, discus), Eliza Andrew (eighth, pole vault), Gianna Sube (seventh, 3200 relay) and Katie Wojton (seventh, 3200 relay) all will be looking to build off their success this spring.

MOVING FORWARD

... While there are some unknowns headed into the season, the Tribe appear to have a solid foundation in place to build on past success. “Our strongest areas have been in jumps and throws,” said Pagotto. “Six of our girls scored at jumps in leagues last year. Unfortunately our high scorers in the throws, Abby Meckes and Madylin Wolter, are recovering from injuries. Our girls team increased in numbers, with over a third of the team consisting of freshmen. Overall, we have a solid team, with talented and experienced seniors all the way down to our hardworking freshmen.”

MARIAN

FILLIES HAVE RETURNEES

... Coach Justin Huegel has set the bar high again for this group of Fillies. Veterans are at the forefront despite graduation losses of Haley Curnow, Maddie Dando, Charizma Hiles, Desiree Milosh, Jamison Wheeler. The coach points to Grace Curnow, who is now a senior and will be leader when it comes to the mid-distance events. Running with Curnow is another senior letter winner in Isabella Genoa, who will be called upon in the middle distance as well as distance events. In the field events, keep an eye out for junior Rebecca Boyle, who competes in the jumps and is a sprinter, too. There’s Eliza Bauder, now a junior, who will be a top-flight participant in the hurdles and jumping events, along with fellow junior Jenna Goff in the throws and jumps. Junior veteran Ashley Pleban will have three events for Marian in the hurdles, sprints and throws. Look for two additional underclassmen in junior Kerrigan Digris and sophomore Emma Ashfield to bolster the team in the sprints and long-distance events.

ON THE WATCH LIST

... There are a half-dozen of potential point producers in the Marian arsenal, which includes Alexis Fellin (sprints/jumps), Zoe Salter (throws), Mya Tejada (sprints/jumps) and Faitkha Tikhtova (jumps). A pair of sophomores hoping to compete and win will be Makenna Jacobs (sprints/jumps) and Abigail Kluck (jumps/mid-distance).

IN THE COACH’S VIEW

... “Every year we set our goals to win the Schuylkill League Division II Championship, send as many kids to leagues, districts, and states as possible,” said Huegel. “And with a mix of experience and infusion of new talent, this year is no different. Last year we were close to being able to send a relay team to states, so this year, we have set the bar high to be able to accomplish this. With several of our leaders graduating last year, we have had some of our veterans step up and some of our less experienced girls take the reins on keeping this team focused. We know each year our competition brings their best, and with so many great athletes and coaches in our league, this should be one of the most exciting years in a long time.”

NORTHERN LEHIGH

LEADING THE WAY

... Mike Lehtonen, who is set to begin his 15th year as head coach, will have another strong staff around him. Scott Gerould, Derek Long, Tatiana Lopez, Liz Hannon, Dave Oertner, Drake Pristash, Beth Case and Raj Gupta will be assistants on the Bulldogs’ staff this season.

KEY LOSSES

... The Bulldogs have to replace Kristen Guelcher (hurdles/sprints) and Hailey Evans (throws) from a squad that went 3-6 last year. Evans was third in the shot put and discus at districts. Evans threw a personal best 102-10 to win the discus at the league meet. Guelcher was fourth in the 100 at districts.

RETURNING

... Emily Moyer (senior, jumps/pole vault), Kendall Synder (junior, jumps/sprints), Carly Mikulski (senior, jumps/sprints), Olivia Horninger (senior, hurdles/jumps, Zoe Hathaway (junior, sprints/jumps), Daisy Richards (sophomore, throws) and Delaney Szwast (sophomore, distance) return for the Bulldogs.

KEEP AN EYE ON

... Katelynn Barthold (freshman, distance), Dekota Barthold (freshman, throws) and Keona Dyer (junior, jumps/throws) will also be counted on this season. “We will have to overcome the graduation loss of last year’s top two point scorers for the team in Kristen Guelcher and Hailey Evans. Despite this, the team returns many members who showed great potential last season,” said Lehtonen. “Moyer, Synder, Mikulski, and Horninger will provide experience and depth to the jumps. Emily Moyer, who was second at districts in the pole vault, looks to again fly high in the event this season. The freshman Barthold sisters, Dekota and Katelynn, will look to be competitive as they make the transition to the varsity level.”

OPTIMISTIC OUTLOOK

... Despite some key losses, Northern Lehigh looks primed to improve on last year’s results while continuing to improve throughout the spring. “Coaches are excited for the well-balanced attack this year’s team can possibly provide,” said Lehtonen. “The girls have been working hard in early season practices and are looking forward to beginning the ‘meet season.’”

NORTHWESTERN

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES

… Coming into the season, the girls track team has much more balance than it did last season when they were a young team. Lauren Schellhamer finished third in the Colonial League in the 400-meter dash and Caitlyn Miller, who placed second in javelin and sixth in discus, have both graduated. Remaining with the team are some talented young student-athletes prepared to help push the team higher than its 8-2 record from last season, and their third-place finish during both the regular season and in the league championship meet. Junior Faith Yost took third in both the 100 and 300-meter hurdles, while classmate Paige Sevrain took bronze in the shot put. Senior Ashley Haas also returns, looking to improve on her third-place finish in the pole vault. “We have a lot of ninth graders that are coming up through,” said coach Chuck Groller. “We do have some holes but overall, we will be balanced.

DIVIDING THE ATHLETES

… Groller and softball coach Josh Zimmerman know each other from serving together as assistant coaches on the football team under Josh Snyder. Coaches helping with other sports is the norm at Northwestern, but sometimes they battle for student-athletes. Freshmen basketball players Brooke Balliet and Riley McGinley both were considering whether to go out for softball or track. Being friends, Groller and Zimmerman set themselves for a little friendly competition to see if one of them could land both. As often happens, the two made different choices, so Balliet will participate in track and field, while McGinley hits the diamond for Zimmerman. “Brooke is doing really well here and enjoying it, and that’s what matters,” said Groller with a laugh. “There is a lot of camaraderie among the coaches from different sports; for instance, we have Jordan Smith, the girls’ soccer coach, and he brings a lot of athletes to the program. It’s the same with coach Matt Fritz and Chris Stitzel, the cross-country coaches.”

LIFE IN THE PIT

… Senior Emma Nelson spends most of her time around the pit, the area of the track where jumpers train. She sees a big distinction between the boys’ and girls’ teams coming into the season, but likes where both are at. “The jumpers are a little younger than what we have on the boys’ team, but we have a lot of new freshmen and sophomore talent coming in that we are really excited about along with the returning jumpers,” said Nelson of the girls’ team. Personally, Nelson has her sights set on reaching new lengths in the triple jump. “Triple jump is my focus, and I would like to get over 36-feet this year. I think with how things have started for me, it as a possibility. With this being my senior season, it would be great to go out on a high note, and really make the most of the season and have as much fun as I can.”

RELAYING THE MESSAGE

… The girls’ 400-meter relay team finished third, and the 800-meter relay team placed fourth at the Colonial League meet last season. Both relay teams lost just one runner, and look to come back strong again this year. The 4x400 has junior Naomi Glassberg and sophomores Haley DuBois and Abby Pomajevich back for this season. In the 4800, all three returning runners - Emily Fagan, Emily Fisher, and Angela Klein - are juniors.

THE BOTTOM LINE

… Overall, Groller is excited about his team’s chances, and likes the variety of athletes that will make up the girls’ team this season. While the jumpers are young, there is a lot of experience and an overall good balance of student-athletes. “We have a couple other athletes that did well at the Colonial League meet, and we’re just looking for bigger things as we go,” said Groller. “You know the old motto that we have here in that we are homegrown, and we don’t rebuild, we reload. We have some athletes who are particularly good and very resilient, and play two or three sports for us.”

PALMERTON

LEADING THE CHARGE

... Mike Gombert, in his sixth year as head coach and 12th overall, has compiled a win-loss record of 68-42 coaching the girls. His assistant coaches are Jim Hay, Fran Gough, Darris Rodrigues, Andrew Nosti, Devin Steigerwalt, Mike Martinez, Kris Hoffner, Mike Noyola and Jon Perloni.

KEY LOSSES

... The Bombers will have to replace Delaney Frank (sprints), Abby Reis (throws), and Lauren Rehrig (sprints) from a squad that went 7-4 a year ago. Frank was third in the 200 at last year’s district meet in Class 2A.

COMING BACK

... Emma Christman (senior, sprints, jumps), Abigail Fredericks (senior, throws), Ana Recker (senior, pole vault), Emma Martinez (junior, distance), Sam Perloni (junior, hurdles, jumps), Jessica Heydt (sophomore, throws, sprints) and Emma Snyder (sophomore, hurdles, jumps) all figure to be key components of the Blue Bombers’ success this season after gaining varsity experience previously. Recker, the Times News/Lehigh Valley Health Network Field Hockey Player of the Year, won the pole vault at last year’s district meet, clearing 9-3. She needed to clear at least 9-0 to make it to states. Recker was seeded first at 8-9. “Ana Recker was the district champ in the pole vault last year and competed at the state meet,” said Gombert. “Emma Christman, Emma Snyder, and Nataly Walters will lead a strong group of jumpers. Christman led the team in points a year ago, and will be counted on heavily once again. Abigail Fredericks will score a lot of points in the throws, and she should be one of the top discus throwers in the district. Emma Martinez, who suffered through an injury-plagued 2021, is working really hard and is poised to have a breakout season.”,

KEEP AN EYE ON

... Freshman Nataly Walters (sprints, hurdles, jumps) appears primed to score points in a variety of events and add depth to Palmerton’s roster this season.

OUTLOOK

... Though there will be some tough losses to overcome, the Bombers look set to build on the solid foundation they built last season. “The girls have a great attitude, and are looking forward to our first meet,” said Gombert. “We have some athletes who worked hard in the offseason, and we expect them to be great leaders and role models for their teammates. Since we have limited numbers, these athletes have to perform at a high level in every meet, and our newcomers must develop quickly for the team to enjoy success.”

PANTHER VALLEY

PV HOPES TO PROWL

... New head coach Paul McArdle, along with assistants Fran Collevechio, Brent Reabold, Mike Tomko, Jen Maynard, Trish O’Gurek, Jon Williams and Seth Berk, will look to add to an impressive Panther Valley girls squad, which finished with an impressive 6-1 record last spring.

LADY PANTHERS HOPE TO REPEAT

... Six starters have been lost, one of which is down with an injury incurred during the basketball season, that being Hillary Shreffler, which will leave a big void in two events, the hurdles and middle-distance. Meanwhile, Hailey Shreffler has moved on and is now a distance runner at Eastern University. Autumn Steibler ran the 300 hurdles in 2021 and is running at King’s College. Also biding adieu was Aneilia McLeod (sprints/jumps), Becca Jones (sprints) and Jacqueline Kokinda (throws).

SIX-PACK RETURNEES

... The Lady Panthers could repeat their success from last season with six stellar veterans back in the fold, headed by junior thrower Izabella Bochicchio. She amassed 73 points in the 2021 season, and finished in the top-eight at the District 11 event. McArdle is high on speedy senior Maakayla Weaver, who is the top hurdler on the team and should add depth to the sprints. Meanwhile, junior Adriana Taveras is coming off a third-place finish in the 100 at the district event, and finished sixth in the 200, and could earn a spot this spring in Shippensburg at the state meet. Sophomore Riley McArdle, who is coming off a standout volleyball season, posted 43 points in the sprints a year ago. She will move over to the 100 and 400 relay, while also being the top returning long jumper for the Panthers. Senior Sadie Trubilla leads the pack in the throwing events, with senior Chloe Diekman at the head of the class in distance runs, where she will compete in the 800, 1600 and 3200.

ON THE RISE

... The Panthers feature a number of potential standouts, which will also provide depth for the coming season, including River Knoblauch (junior, sprints/throws), Madison Maynard (sophomore, sprints/throws/jumps), Sera Robin (junior, sprints/jumps/ hurdles), Makayla Yurachek, (sophomore, sprints/middle-distance/jumps) and Jess Cabrera (senior, throws).

THE COACH’S TAKE

... The PV girls had a very successful 2021 season. Their dual meet record was 6-1, and they finished with the sixth-highest team point total in the District 11 championship meet. While the top four point-scorers have graduated from that team, numbers five-through-10 return this year, giving the Panther faithful a lot to be optimistic about. McArdle seems to be excited for the team and individual outlook this year. “We have six girls who were key factors in last year’s success who are returning,” said McArdle, “and we added several of our best athletes in the school from other sports to the track team this year, so I think we can have a season similar to last year.”

PLEASANT VALLEY

TAKING OVER

... Kyle Bonser takes over as head coach this spring. In his third year with the program, Bonser will be assisted by Amy Keller, Drew Davis, Austin Warman and Ethan Miller.

LAST YEAR

... The Bears posted a 3-2 record in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference. They will have to replace Madison Wilson (javelin), Mikayla DeReinzi (distance), Lily Mingora (distance) and Tamara Bobb-Duberry (sprints) from that squad.

COMING BACK

... De’Nair Drew (hurdles, sprints), Jordan Kautzsch (high jump, long jump, triple jump), Samantha Merklin (shot put, discus, javelin), Nyia Moon (sprints) and Brittany Williams (long jump, triple jump, pole vault) will be counted on to score points for Pleasant Valley this season.

OUTLOOK

... Bonser has high hopes the squad will progress and continue to improve throughout the season. “We are excited about the upcoming season,” said the first-year coach. “Numbers have continued to increase from last season and we have several veterans returning to the roster ready to lead this team. We believe that with the healthy combination of veteran and new talent that we will have the ability to be successful. With this group’s motivation and drive to be successful we look to improve from our 3-2 record last season.”

WEATHERLY

NUMBERS GAME

... Second-year coach Ryan Kately knows that the numbers are a hurdle for the Lady Wreckers at the smallest school in Schuylkill League track and field competition. It doesn’t change for 2022. Only four girls are returning, with one senior on the list, that being Rhianne Markovchick, who will anchor the hurdles, jumps, and pace the team in the sprint events. Hoping to score points in the distance and sprints is junior Danielle Gordon, who earned a varsity letter last spring. Look for junior Taylor Jones to compete in the field events, where she will lead the group in the throws. Kately is also counting on sophomore Kendell Gerhart to bolster the squad in the middle-distance events. She is being counted on in the sprints, as well. Gerhart is a returnee in both of these events.

THE WAY KATELY SEES IT

... “The girl’s roster may be small, but they have great individual success,” said the coach. “Markovchick returns for her senior season holding many school records and will look to improve in all of them. Her best event is the 100 hurdles, where she medaled (fourth) in both leagues and districts. She is like a Swiss Army Knife, where she also excels in the long jump, 100, and will throw javelin this year as well. She has signed to continue her track and field career at Kutztown University. Danielle Gordon and Kendell Gerhart are coming off strong cross country seasons, where they both earned Schuylkill League All-Star honors. Danielle was a league and district qualifier in the 3200, and Kendell was a league and district qualifier in the 400. Both are looking to improve their times this year in each event.”

Despite attempts to make contact, the Times News was unable to obtain information for the Tamaqua girls’ track and field preview.