Palmerton’s two-time PIAA State champion Nataly Walters returns to lead a strong contingent of girls track and field athletes across the area.

JIM THORPE

COMING BACK

... Senior Aubrey Bonner (middle distance) is the sole returner from the state-qualifying 3200 and 1600 relay teams. Bonner was fourth in the 800 at the District 11 Class 2A meet. Seniors Leah Wasko (hurdles/jumps), Dani Rimsky (jumps) and Olivia Rosenberger (sprints); juniors Mara Levins (throws) and Aubrey Holland (throws); and sophomores Kelsey Patton (jumps) and McKenna Jackson (jumps) will also be key contributors this season.

TOP NEWCOMERS

... Freshmen Stacy Bos (distance), Iyanah Sockwell (sprints) and Remy Gorski (throws) also have a chance to make an impact this season.

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, who went 5-1 last year and were second as a team at the Schuylkill League meet, open the season Tuesday, March 26 at Lehighton. Their first home meet will come Wednesday, April 10 against Blue Mountain.

SEASON OUTLOOK

... “Our roster is smallest size it’s been in a few years and 80% of the girls are either sophomores or freshmen,” said Olympian coach Frank Miller. “The returners have been outstanding leaders and extension of the coaching staff, which has been extremely important, especially with the youth that is on our roster. Our goal is improvement on a daily basis, and becoming more competitive as the season progresses.”

LEHIGHTON

OVER THE BLOWS

... The Indians lost nine athletes from last year’s squad, including Brittney Bartasavage who was a fourth-place medalist in the District 11 Class 2A 100 hurdles a year ago. Head coach Eric Pagotto, who begins her fourth season, has 34 girls on the roster this spring. The Indians were 4-2 in league meets last season.

RETURN ENGAGEMENTS

... Senor Gabby Brown grabbed a third-place medal in the long at leagues last season. She also gained a third-place medal in the same event during a recent indoor event. Junior Lorah Thomas won a third-place medal in discus at leagues, and placed ninth in the shot put at districts last year. Thomas also won two shot put events during the indoor season.

COUNT ON THEM

.... Sophomores Hailey Heimbach and Canna Hewey, along with juniors Kaylee Magyar and Emma Repsher, figure to be regular contributors.

NEW LOOK

... Cayley Reph - one of 12 freshmen on the roster - tied the Lehighton Middle School record in the 400 last year, and fellow frosh Victorian Nied is expected to have a strong season in the throws. “We are excited about our young group coming up, and they will help us,” said Pagotto.

PLUSES AND MINUSES

... Pagotto believes her team will excel in the field events, but will need people step on the track. “Our girls have been working hard throughout the offseason,” she said. “A number of them competed in indoor competitions this winter as well.”

MARIAN

GROWING SPURTS

... Marian head coach Justin Huegel is excited about the surge in the program. The Fillies will open the season with 47 girls on the roster - 20 of them freshmen. There also has been a boom at the junior high level. “When I was in school here, we had about 40-60 kids total in the girls and boys program combined.” Huegel said. “We have had success, and that has helped grow the program. We have a ton of experience back. We are expecting it to be a good season.”

GO WEST

... Senior Carly Minchhoff will look to become a three-time state qualifier in the discus. She was fourth at leagues, second at districts, and 17th at states last year. Huegel is hopeful junior Olivia Thomas can make the trip to states as well after a strong season a year ago in the shot put that included a fourth-place finish at leagues. “Carly can have a phenomenal year, and Olivia certainly has the potential to get to states as well,” said Huegel.

DASHING WE WILL GO

... One of the Fillies’ strengths will be in their dashes, where they have depth. Juniors Caitlyn Kovatch and Lizzie Pikitus, who have both been integral parts of the team since their freshman year, will set the pace. Sophomores Lara Cancio, Addison Fritz and Alena Lombardo all should have their share of top finishes as well.

RUNNING WITH THE PACK

... Huegel also anticipates his middle and long-distance runners to be in the hunt for some postseason honors. Junior Ava Fritz was a consistent performer in the 800 and 1,600, and senior Emma Ashfield had similar success in the 1,600 and 3,200. Sophomore Alena Lombardo should be solid in the 800, and Pikitus and junior Julia Dvorak should be steady in the 400.

NORTHERN LEHIGH

OPTIMISM

... Head coach Mike Lehtonen is cautiously optimistic that his team can flourish despite the losses of multi-event scorers Caitlin Kirk, Zoe Hathaway, and Kendall Snyder. “This team seems to have some depth and talent spread around to many events with the focal point being mid-distance,” Lehtonen said.

YOUTHFUL YEARINGS

... The Bulldogs have just five seniors on their 30-girl roster. In his 17th season, Lehtonen said a strong group of 14 freshmen and sophomores will need to step up to make up for the lack of upperclassmen. “The freshmen and sophomore classes can play a big role in our success,” he said.

CLEARING THE FIELD .

.. Sophomore Evelina Mayak burst onto the scene last year as a freshman, winning a district championship and finishing ninth at states in the 100 hurdles. Lehtonen foresees an upward spiral for her. “She got better with every single meet - and right now she may be even better in the 300 hurdles than the 100 hurdles,” he said. “She worked really hard in the offseason.”

TWIN THREATS

... Junior twin sisters Katelynn and Dekota Barthold were a dynamic duo on the basketball court, and they figure to continue their assault on the opposition in track and field as well. Katelynn was a state qualifier in the 1,600 in 2022. A year ago, she was fifth in the 400, and 12th in the long jump at districts. Dekota was eighth in the 100 hurdles at districts last year. Dekota also will be a factor in the throws this year. “Both of the Bartholds will have a big impact on the team,” said Lehtonen.

RUN SILENT, RUN DEEP

... The Bulldogs will have depth in the middle and long distances. Katelynn Barthold will be joined by Emma Heil (distance), Natalie Moffit (middle distance), Mikayla Gordon (middle distance and sprints), Delaney Szwast (distance), and Kasia DelSantos (distance). Moffitt injured her knee during basketball, but has been cleared to run. A year ago, the 3200 relay team broke the school record and gained a third-place district finish.

NORTHWESTERN

SEASONED STAFF

... Chuck Groller is back for his 10th consecutive season and 12th season overall. He will be assisted by Matt Fritz, Rich Fogal, Mike Kistler, Jordan Smith, Paul Tomlin III, as well as volunteers Vanessa Blose, Elizabeth Fornauf, and Brian Meckley.

OVERCOME THE LOSS

... The Tigers will need to turn the page from the fantastic Faith Yost chapter. Yost, who graduated last spring, was the state high jump champion and an eighth-place state finisher in the hurdles. Other key losses are Naomi Glassberg (400 and 1,600 relay), Alicia Hunsicker (hurdles), and Angelina Klein (3,200 state qualifier). “There are obviously some key losses, but we will look forward to filling them,” said Groller.

FILL THE VOID

... Among the Tigers being counted on to replenish the team points that the graduated seniors accounted for are seniors Kate Brensinger (hurdles/throws), Haley Dubois (distance), Sadie Fenstermaker (state qualifier in throws), Kaia Grantham (sprints), Abigail Pomajevich (jumps), and Grace Yost (pole vault). There’s also juniors Nora Silfies (junior), Sophia Cornell (distance), and Carsyn Van Norman (sprints).

BY THE NUMBERS

... There are 41 total girls, including eight seniors on the roster. The largest group by grade are juniors, with 16. Filling out the roster are seven sophomores and six freshmen. “We have a good number of upperclassmen, and we will be strong in throws and the pole vault,” said Groller.

GETTING SOME HELP

... Groller has seen some rapid development from sophomores Mallory Connor (throws), Hannah Gober (javelin), Ava Okuley (pole vault), Sophia Schaffer (distance) and Kherington Yezik (distance).

PALMERTON

ANTICIPATION

... Head coach Mike Gombert and the Bombers are excited about the 2024 season. Palmerton has 30 girls in the mix - including 10 who were regular contributors a year ago. “We are looking forward to this season,” said Gombert. “We have some great athletes who worked very hard in the offseason.”

SHIPPENSBURG STEADYS

... Junior Nataly Walters is back to defend her state titles in the triple and long jumps. Walters had a mark of 18-5.5 in the long jump, and added a mark of 38-11 in the triple jump. Walters set Colonial League school records a year ago as well. Senior Emma Snyder was fifth in the state high jump with a leap of 5-2. “Both of them should be able to get back to states,” said Gombert. “They both look good right now.”

JUMPING HIGH

...Along with Walters and Snyder, Gombert is confident his group of jumpers can achieve some new personal records. Freshmen Aubrey Frable and Ally Herrmann, along with sophomores Gabby Lucas and Ruby Walters have added depth to a very talent group.

MIXED REVIEWS

... Gombert sees the team’s experience level as a key. “Our seniors will be counted on to perform at a high level throughout the season, and to be great role models and leaders,” said Gombert. “Our biggest concerns are depth, distance events, and throwing events. Despite an increase in numbers, we need to perform at a high level in every meet, and our newcomers must develop quickly for the team to enjoy success.”

PANTHER VALLEY

STATE OF MIND

... Head coach Paul McArdle has a positive outlook about the state of his program that has 23 girls this season. He believes winning ways can be transposed across seasons. “I’m excited about the mindset of our girl athletes at the school right now,” he said. “We had a championship volleyball year, another district playoff basketball season, success in wrestling, and a positive attitude in softball. I think we’ll see a similar attitude in track and field, too.”

FROM THE COURT TO THE FIELD .

.. McArdle will look to seniors Riley McArdle – his daughter – and Mikayla Yuricheck to help set the pace. Riley, who will compete in sprints, jumps, and the javelin, led the team in points scored in dual meets a year ago. Her father sees her primed to capture some medals this season after falling just short at league and districts last season. Yuricheck (throws, jumps, sprints, middle distance) should be in the running for a state berth after she finished third in the javelin and fifth in the discus at districts last year.

YOUNGBLOODS

... Freshman Jessica Hackash has made a strong early impression in the jumps. She finished second in the district in the junior high meet last season. McArdle also has high hopes for fellow freshmen Peyton Drake (jumps) and Izabella Washousky (sprints/hurdles), along with sophomores Hannah Shreffler (middle distance) and Destiny Wentz (hurdles/relays). Sophomore Brenda Banks - a state wrestling champion - has showed promise in the shot put, while sophomore Morgan Orsulak, a volleyball and basketball standout, could also provide some key points. “We believe Jessica can be really good,” said McArdle. “Peyton, Izabella, Hannah, Destiny and Morgan also have great potential. Brenda threw over 33 feet as a freshman and will have a good year.”

EXPERIENCE COUNTS

... Along with McArdle and Yuricheck, the Panthers will look to returning seniors Courtney Rickard (throws) and Hillary Shreffler (hurdles/middle distance) for leadership and points.

OLDIE BUT GOODIE

... McArdle stated the teams will have some of their home meets at their old, cinder track. The current senior class was the last team to use the track, as it has had all its meets on the road the past two seasons. “It’s archaic, but the kids miss it,” said McArdle. “It will be fun for them.”

PLEASANT VALLEY

COMING BACK

... Pleasant Valley head coach Isaac Blagogee enters his second season for the Lady Bears. Blagogee had thrower Kara Miller place third in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference league meet last season, and has a few more athletes who should add to the success the team had a year ago.

WHO’S NEXT

... Sophomore Rylee Ruggiero ran the 100-and-200 meter events last season for the Lady Bears and did well in her races. Ruggiero also played volleyball in the fall for a team that went undefeated in the regular season. Senior Nemani Moon participated in winter track season to get ready for the spring.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU

... Blagogee gave everyone around him credit for the success the team had last season, and expects it to have this year. “I can’t take the credit, it’s just not me, It’s every single person who’s been working with us to make this happen,” Blagogee said. “Being a second-year coach, I thank everybody for helping me because I couldn’t do it by myself.”

GETTING A LITTLE BIT BETTER

... “We went to states last year with a couple of our athletes,” Blagogee said. “But you don’t want to be satisfied. You want to reach a little bit higher with the newer athletes that are coming in.”

NEW ATHLETES

... Basketball players Brooke Greene and Annalisa Lanigan, along with volleyball player Brianna Bruckman all came out for the team this season.

TAMAQUA

BACK TO THE BIG STAGE

... The Blue Raiders have several athletes who placed at the Schuylkill League meet last year, and coach Jim McCabe is confident they can take the next step this year. Senior Sarah Coccio (fourth, high jump), sophomore Katelynn Fredericks (fourth in both 100 hurdles and 300 hurdles), sophomore Ava Jones (sixth, 3,200), and senior Sarah Hope (sixth, triple jump).

WELCOME TO THE SHOW

... McCabe has 55 girls in the program, including some newcomers that he feels can contribute immediately. They include seniors Alexis Buchala (long distance) and Lorelei Plasha (throws); and freshmen Bailey Pliska (long distance), Lila Stegermerten (long distance), Sienna Stellfox (sprints), and Sophia Stellfox (sprints).

DO IT AGAIN .

.. McCabe will turn to Fredericks in the sprints; Hope and junior Samantha Plasha in the hurdles; Ava, senior Alexis Jones and junior Isabella Jones in the long distance; sophomore Leah Black and junior Cadi Fannock in the field events; and Hope, Coccio, Plasha, and sophomore Cecilia Ulicny in the jumps.

SLOW TO RIPEN

... McCabe knows the maturity of his team will take a slow, but steady process, and he will take a practical approach. “We are balanced between upperclassmen and newcomers,” he said. “We need to work steadily, and we can make some major strides.”

WEATHERLY

STRETCHING SIX

... Despite having just seven girls on the roster, fourth-year head coach Ryan Kately maintains an optimistic outlook. “We have some talented athletes here, and we‘ll battle in every meet.”

THREE OF A KIND

... Sophomore Kelly Reiner set the school’s discus (73-2), javelin (104-9) and shot put (25-5 ) records last season. Reiner also placed ninth at districts in the javelin last season. She is expected to have a strong campaign ahead. “She works very hard, and has come a long way in a short time,” said Kately.

FIVE OF A KIND

... Senior Kelly Gerhart will look to build on her season last year in the sprints and middle distance events. The remaining team members are seniors Reina Whalen, Brianna Pugh, Mackenzie McGill, and Mellanie Marshman.

HELP IS ON THE WAY

... Kately likes the future of the program, as there are 10 girls on the junior high roster who he will be counting on over the next couple years. “We know there are some kids there who can step right into the varsity program, and we know it will be a turn for the good.”

Capsules by Jeff Moeller, Kyle Magda, Patrick Matsinko

Tigers rout NL