The Jim Thorpe, Marian, Northwestern, Palmerton, Panther Valley and Pleasant Valley boys track teams all return athletes who competed at the PIAA State Championships a year ago.

JIM THORPE

KEY RETURNEES

... Seniors Salvator Capria (sprints), Andrew Coolbaugh (sprints) and Chase Whaley (sprints); juniors Bowden Chicarelli (distance), Ehren Hassler (pole vault), James O’Neil (pole vault), Henry Snyder (distance), Justin Yescavage (hurdles), and Kolby Cavanaugh (hurdles/jumps); and sophomore Josh Louk (sprints and jumps) will be counted on as leaders on the varsity squad this season. Louk was also a member of the 1,600 relay team that placed sixth at states last season. The squad also won a district title last season. Louk also was on the league-champion 400 relay team, along with Coolbaugh.

KEY NEWCOMERS

... Juniors Trelawn Richards (throws) and Aiden Curran (throws); sophomores Gavin Strohl (throws), Cole Lazorick (sprints/jumps) and Gabe Wirth (distance); and freshmen Kayden Spence (sprints/jumps), Jared Mantilla (sprints/jumps), and Aiden Irwin (sprints/jumps) will be expected to contribute to maintain the team’s success after going 6-0 last season and winning the Schuylkill League meet title.

INVITE ONLY

... Jim Thorpe will take part in four invitationals this season: New Balance Pan Ram at Central Dauphin (Saturday, April 13); Blue Mountain Invite (Friday, April 19); Cavalier Invite at East Stroudsburg South (Friday, April 26); and the Olympian Invite at Jim Thorpe (Thursday, May 2).

THE OPENER(S)

... The Olympians open the season Tuesday, March 26 at Lehighton. Their first home meet will come Wednesday, April 10 against Blue Mountain.

SEASON OUTLOOK

... “Sprints, jumps, and pole vault are the event areas with significant experience,” said Jim Thorpe head coach Frank Miller. “Distance events are young but will develop as season progresses due to the hard work that the student-athletes put in on a daily basis. Throws, especially the javelin have almost no experience and have to replace our top three discus and shot put throwers but that group had great depth last season which allowed for the younger kids to develop and have a chance at stepping up and being competitive this season,”

LEHIGHTON

TAKE A LEAP

... Lehighton head coach Erica Pagotto welcomed 33 boys into the program this spring. The Indians lost a number of jumpers, but Pagotto is confident thanks to a budding group of leapers and a rising group of runners. The Indians finished with a 3-3 record in dual meets. This will be their final season in Schuylkill League with the school’s athletic programs scheduled to join the Colonial League next school year.

ROCKING WITH ROTH

... Senior Joe Roth recorded a third-place finish last season in the javelin at the Schuylkill League championship. Along with the javelin, Pagotto believes Roth can be a versatile scorer this season. “Joe is just so talented,” said Pagotto. “He can contribute in many events for us.”

TOSS AND TURN

... Along with Roth, Pagotto has been impressed with throwers Bodie Hawk, Dante Angelus, Wyatt Sherer, Hunter Kuntz, and Dylan Moyer. She also expects mid-distance and distance runners Elijah Pagotto, Varick Pfieffer, Bradley Yenser, and Owen Serfass to be regular contributors.

OUTLOOK

... “We are looking strong in the throwing and distance events,” said Pagotto. “We have a few athletes this season that are showing promise in sprints, mid-distance and hurdles. Although we lost a lot of jumpers, we have a young group coming up that we are excited about. The cross country team had a strong season, and the lead runners joined track.”

MARIAN

TOP HEAVY

... Head coach Justin Huegel will be seeking experience and leadership from his squad. The Colts have 19 seniors on their roster, many of whom have been successful in leagues, districts, and states. “We are fortunate to have as many seniors as we have,” said Huegel. “We have been more spread out the last couple of years.”

TEAM RODINO

... Senior Jesse Rodino captured the top spot in discus at the Schuylkill League meet last year, and he followed it with a second spot at districts and a 14th-place finish at states. Brother James Rodino was sixth in the discus and 13th in the shot put at districts. In addition, there is junior Dylan Rodino, who is recovering from a broken femur; sophomore Damain Rodino, who will be in the throws and jumps; and freshman Dominick Rodino, who will participate in a number of events. “Jesse is primed for a big year, and he is a tireless worker,” said Huegel. “But I’m thrilled to have all five of the Rodinos on the team. You can’t question any of the Rodinos’ work ethic.”

RUNNING WITH THE PACK

... Senior A.J. Thomas transferred into the school last year, and he is expected to have a productive year in the 400 and 800. Fellow senior Alex Porambo set the indoor school record in the 800, and he will look to continue his success. Senior runners Caden Kash, Anthony Marcario-Chaikilis and Albin Petschauer will solidify a veteran core.

BACKUP PLAN

... In addition to the high number of seniors, Huegel said the program is solid in the underclassmen ranks as well with a total of 39 boys on the roster. Huegel said that in addition to the varsity numbers, there are roughly 100 athletes on the junior high level to fill the void next year and in the upcoming seasons. “Our varsity numbers have had a huge bump since we started the junior high program three years ago,” said Huegel.

NORTHERN LEHIGH

GROWING PAINS

... The Bulldogs are coming off 1-10 season, and lost a number of performers, including Nick Frame (jumps/javelin) and Izaiah Ramos (jumps/sprints). Frame was second in the javelin and third in the high jump at district last year, while Ramos was fifth in the triple jump at the same event.

SMITH’S SHOW

... Senior Bailey Smith will be counted on to participate in a number of events this year. According to coach Mike Lehtonen, Smith was disappointed in his showing in the javelin at districts and in the throws last year, and has been working to redeem himself. “He showed some very good promise in the javelin last season along with some speed on the track,” said Lehtonen. “He be back where he should be.”

SOME OLD, SOME YOUNG

... Senior Sam Frame brings back experience in the throws, and fellow senior Jackson Hunsinger is viewed as a consistent contender in the 400. Lehtonen has high hopes for his 400 relay team of freshmen Chris Frame, Garrett Schmoyer, Ryan Zambo, and sophomore Grady Newhard.

ONE STEP AT A TIME

... With a young squad, Lehtonen is looking for improvement over the couse of the season. There are just five seniors on the 40-man roster. “The boys will have some early season learning with youth and inexperience,” he said. “As a young team, they are looking forward to the first meet to see how they stack up against the opposition.”

NORTHWESTERN

LEADING THE CHARGE

... Chuck Groller returns for his seventh season as the boys track coach. He will lead a squad of 52 boys. “We’ll be competitive, but there will be challenges ahead. If we can stay healthy, we will get better and stronger.”

NEED TO REFILL

... The Tigers will need to fill some spots. Matt Santana, a 3,200-meter state qualifier, has graduated along with Evan Anderson (sprints), Sam Bower (distance), Cayden Kuhns (pole vault), and Colin Myers (shot put).

UPPER MANAGEMENT

... Groller will look to senior Sean Kershner (distance) and juniors Ben Bachman (sprints), Jackson Bailey( throws), Xaiver Giandomenico (distance), Laden Matson (sprints), Brendan Miller (hurdles/javelin), and Greyson Wellings (distance) to pile up points.

TAKE THE LEAP

... Junior Gavin Nelson, a state qualifier in the high jump, leads a seasoned group in the events. Nelson was a district runner-up in the event. Joining him are seniors Dan Jenkins (jumps/hurdles), Kit Kahm, and junior Del Tyler.

ON THE RISE .

.. Sophomore Shane Leh (hurdles) and Ethan Kaschak (pole vault) have been promising newcomers in the early stages..

PALMERTON

FILL THE CUPBOARD

... The Blue Bombers will be looking to replace several scorers from last year’s squad. Gone are Owen Hibell, who was fourth at districts and 18th at states in the 1,600, and Dylan Hartranft was seventh at districts in the 400. They also lost Jordan Mann (middle distance), Aaron Simpson (distance), Justin Herrmann (hurdles), Reilly Burke (hurdles, sprints), and Devon White (sprints).

ALL IN THE FAMILY

... Senior Bryson Walters is a force in the jumps as well as the hurdles and sprints. Last season, he finished ninth at the state meet in the 110 hurdles and 13th in the 300 hurdles. Others in the hurdles, sprints and jumps expected to thrive are seniors Emilio Gonzalez and Trace Stahler (jumps) and Stephen Jones, Ty Sander, and Bryce Marino (sprints).

KEEP AN EYE ON

... In addition to previously listed returnees, coach Mike Gombert is looking to seniors Matt Machalik (sprints , jumps), Troy Wambold (pole vault), Jakob Hettler (jumps), Clayton Christman (throws), and freshman Jake Rutkowitz (hurdles, jumps) all to make an impact.

OPTIMISM ABOUNDS

... Gombert is confident that his 12 seniors will set the tone for a club that went 11-0 in dual meets last season. “We have an outstanding group of seniors who will be looked upon to score a considerable amount of points,” he said. “The seniors have experienced much team success in their high school careers, and now it will be their turn to lead the team and continue that trend. The consistency from our upperclassmen and continued improvement from our underclassmen will determine our team success.”

PANTHER VALLEY

A SLOW RISE .

.. After a winless campaign in 2022, the Panthers won a handful of meets last season, notably one over rival Marian. With 36 boys in the balance this season, coach Paul McArdle is cautiously optimistic that a few more can fall their way. “We did get hit hard by graduation, so we will need some more boys to step up and score points for us to be competitive,” he said.

NOT JUST ANOTHER JONES

... Senior Brad Lee Jones is the defending league champion in the javelin and was third at districts. He then recorded an 11th-place finish at states. “Brad is as good as they get, and he will have a very good chance to medal at states,” said McArdle.

DOUBLE DUTY

... Senior Hayden Goida, junior Brennan Kunkle, and sophomores Brody Breiner and Gavin Yuricheck are involved in jumps and sprints for the track team in addition to being members of the Panther baseball team. “These guys are very good athletes who will be able to help us,” said McArdle.

SECOND TIME AROUND

... Senior Thomas Buyce retuns as a sprinter, and McArdle believes he will make a difference. “He is a hard worker, and I think he will make a name for himself,” said McArdle. “He should be a high-point scorer and can make some noise at the league and district meet.”

BACK FOR MORE

... Seniors Megim Bushati (hurdles/sprints), Eli Maynard (throws/hurdles) and Brian Weiser (throws); juniors Frank Shubeck (sprints/jumps), Abe Cabrera (distance), Clinton Dyer (throws), Zach Seifert (throws), and Edison Mitchell (throws) all should contributute points.

PLEASANT VALLEY

SECOND YEAR

... Pleasant Valley head coach Isaac Blagogee enters his second year for the Bears. PV had a few athletes go to districts and states in Blagogee’s first season as head coach. “This season, we have a big turnout, but that’s every season,” Blagogee said. “We had some great performances last year, but we are always looking for something bigger. Practices are going very well. We have a couple of athletes in different events who are looking good so far.”

STAR ATHLETES

... Junior Jereal Moore went to states last season and Blagogee thinks he can improved his times in both the 100 and 200 meter dashes this season. Senior Onias Richardson and sophomore James Morton are also being looked to for big seasons.

LOOKING BACK

... Blagogee reflected on how his first year went as Pleasant Valley track and field coach. “Last season, we did very well,” Blagogee said. “We had a couple of stud athletes. All in all, for my first season as track head coach, I was really pleased with all the athletes. They came to practice and worked really hard. Some of them went to districts and states. They did their best, and I’m really happy about that.”

MORE PRESSURE AT HAND

... Blagogee has even higher hopes for this season. “I have put more pressure on myself to get the best out of all our kids,” he said. “I have a great coaching staff that has been really been working hard with our kids. I think we are all very excited about the season.”

TAMAQUA

BACK FOR MORE

... The Blue Raiders have four Schuylkill League medalists back in Martin Griffin first, long and triple jump), Jess Gormley (third, 800), Tegan Devlin (first, pole vault) and Stephen Kieffer fifth, 400). In addition, their 1600 and 3200 relay teams both return a solid core of runners after medaling at leagues.

NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK

... Raider head coach Jim McCabe has 41 boys on the roster with a nice mixture of veterans and underclassmen. Among the newcomers that McCabe has high aspirations for are sophomores Caydin Anglin (sprints) and Luis Tejada Garcia (sprints), and freshmen Frank Hill (pole vault), and Thomas Rivera (throws).

STRETCHING IT OUT

... The Blue Raiders will have depth in their sprints and distance with Scott Case, Stephen Kieffer, Brody Boyce, Anthony Marchetti, Levi Kunkel, Jesse Gormley, Jathan Krall, and Brian Heim all expected to contribute points.

KEEPING IT REAL

... Despite not returning any district medal winners from last year, McCabe has a positive perspective about the season. “I think we definitely have kids with the potential to contend in a lot of league events and possibly at districts as well,” he said. “We want to be learning and getting better as the season goes along and peaking for the postseason.”

WEATHERLY

RISING STOCK

... Weatherly coach Ryan Kately said there are only 17 boys in the program, but views the situation as quality over quantity. “We have a lot of kids who can do well,” said Kately. “Our kids will come into the meets strong mentally as well as physically.”

RUN IT OUT

... The Wreckers will have some depth in the middle and long distances. Junior Sebastian Williams and sophomore Carlos Otero, who both excelled in cross country, will help set the pace. Other contributors will be senior Ian McKeegan, junior Vince Paisley, and sophomore Niko Saldukis.

IN THE FIELD

... Senior Dante LaBello and freshman Chance Stauffer are both seen as point scorers in the throws. Paisley and sophomore Corbin Wagner both will be in the jumps. “Dante is a big, strong kid who can have a good year, and Chance did well in junior high. He should be able to adjust to the varsity level,” said Kately.

KEEP THE FAITH

... Despite the low numbers, Kately remains positive and credits assistant coach Paul Di Gennaro for helping to keep an enthusiastic environment. “We’re a small school, and our kids make the most of it. We’ll keep working.”

Capsules by Jeff Moeller, Kyle Magda, Patrick Matsinko