JIM THORPE

Head coach - James Hauze (4th season)District 11 Class. - AAALast year's record - 2-11Key losses - Alan Heydt, Brett Luciana.Key returnees - James Marks (Sr.), Luke Eggert (Sr.), Will Kovolenko (Sr.), Josh Abbott (Sr.).Others to watch - Jessie Perri (So.), Tyler Benson (Jr.), John Fedora (Fr.).Outlook - Despite last season's struggles, the Olympians will carry a positive attitude heading into this year's campaign. With only a few losses from last season's squad, Jim Thorpe will be returning a number of upperclassmen. Although it's a somewhat older group, a number of the players are inexperienced in terms of course time at the varsity level. Those flaws could bring some challenges for the Olympians in 2014. Still, the team should be able to improve as the season progresses and the sqaud gains more experience and knowledge of the game.Quotable - "I'm delighted to have the boys and girls we have, the ones who came out and are here. I'd not trade one of them. We might struggle at times this year, but as long as they have fun and learn something, that's really all that matters," Head coach James Hauze.LEHIGHTONHead coach - Matt Fisher (6th season)Assistant coach - Trevor MillerDistrict 11 Class. - AAALeague - Schuylkill LeagueLast year's record - 4-8 overallKey losses - Ezra NeffKey returnees - Jordan Knappenberger (Sr.), Cody Semmel (Jr.).Others to watch - Zach Bowman (Sr.).Outlook - Lehighton has a lot of players returning to the team this year that have experience playing against other teams in matches, so that will help. Also, with assistant coach Miller and some of the players' parents helping out, the Indians will benefit from that. Mahoning Valley Country Club has been very generous to Lehighton in the off-season and that should also translate into more success. As a new team in the Schuylkill League, Coach Fisher and his players will be not only be playing against some new competition, but also playing at new courses. Some of the players have yet to see these new courses, yet alone, play at them.Quotable - "A high priority for us is to continue to expand the program and get more people out to play. It's been great to see some of these students coming out for the team halfway through their high school careers and pick up a sport that they will be able to play for the rest of their lives. Another goal is obviously to have a winning record, because it has been a while for Lehighton and we'd like to change that." - Head coach Matt Fisher.MarianHead coach - Len Brylewski (19th season)Assistant coach - Jean GreenDistrict 11 Class. - AALeague - Schuylkill LeagueLast year's record - 10-2 overallKey losses - Mark Postupack, Austin PaisleyKey returnees - Josh Tulanowski (Sr), Ashley Fannick (Sr), Kaitlin Kowker (Jr), Albert McFadden (So), Katie Blazowski (So), Sarah Grabowski (So), Gabrielle Tout (So)Others to watch - Jared Paisley (So) and Michael Latoff (So), Tyler Wackley (Jr), Frank Blazowski (So),Tim Dando (So), Colin McCarrie (Fr), Nicholas Kurzinsky (Fr), Jake Dembinsky (Fr)Outlook - Marian is a very young team that is looking to be competitive in the Schuylkill League. Marian has been one of the most successful teams in the area over the past five years. Coach Brylewski and his squad are coming off of a 10-win season and will look to continue that trend. There are 26 golfers and a ton of young talent on this team. Albert McFadden will look to help lead this team in 2014, as the sophomore is coming off of a freshman campaign which he won the All Boys meet and earned an automatic birth into the district tournament.Quotable - "My practices are all the same and I teach the basics of golf. If the kids want to learn how to play a lifetime sport, I will teach it to them. We have a ton of young golfers that I'm looking forward to teaching this season. If these ladies and gentlemen stick with it, they will turn into some nice players. They spend a lot of time on the course and I'm proud of all of them." - Head coach Len Brylewski.NORTHWESTERNHead coach - Tim Miller (3rd season)District 11 Class - AALeague - Colonial LeagueLast year's record - 10-2 overallKey losses - Cole Miller, Nick VeceilloKey returnees - Zack Caruso (Sr.), Kevin Shuey (Sr.).Others to watch - Brandon Eden (Sr.), Julius Mittl (So.), Brandon Segan (So.).Outlook - Since Miller's first year as head coach, the number of players out for the golf team has expanded from nine in his first season to 22 golfers out for the team this season. The enthusiasm for the sport is present and Miller hopes this translates into development, improvement and eventual success down the road. Also, experience and depth at the varsity level are there for the Tigers, as well. Possibly a lack of intensity and focus throughout the 18 holes of a practice or match are on Miller's radar for potential concerns. Also, the head coach would love to see more female players out for the sport. With two girls out for this year's team, he'd like to see that total grow in the future.Quotable - "Having participated in many different sports throughout high school and college, I don't know of a better sport for these young athletes to be playing, than golf. My biggest hope for these young athletes is to mature throughout the season. Obviously, we're going to do our best to compete in each match, but if they can develop as people and mature from the competition that golf brings, than it will be a successful season." - Head coach Tim Miller.PALMERTONHead coach - Dave Lavin (5th season)District 11 Class - AALeague - Colonial LeagueLast year's record - 1-12 overallKey losses - Tyler GrammesKey returnees - Charles Debski (Sr.), Casey Cook (Sr.).Others to watch - Jonathan Schwartz (Jr.), Jonathan Blichar (So.), Justin Nunn (Sr.), John Frace (So.), Travis Stroup (Jr.), Damien Fink (Jr.).Outlook - Compared to previous years in the Blue Bomber golf program, this year features a greater number of players out for the team, according to Coach Lavin. With that, comes more depth and playing time for the young roster. Also, with only one senior leaving the program, the returnees know what to expect in terms of competitive golf. At the same time, with the wealth of newcomers to the Palmerton team, there will be plenty of potential players learning the sport. Lavin expects these athletes to take their time picking up on the etiquette, along with what comes with golf competition.Quotable - "Golf is an individual sport, but at the same time, a team sport, so I'm trying to get the guys to improve on their own individual games. If they can do that, the wins should be able to take care of themselves. We're hoping to improve on what we did last season, get more wins, and to improve with each round played." - Head coach Dave Lavin.PLEASANT VALLEYHead coach - Steve Krechel (24th season)Assistant coach - Paul EvansDistrict 11 Class - AAALeague - Eastern Pennsylvania ConferenceLast year's record - 8-5 (8-4 MVC)Key losses - Logan BeckKey returnees - Ryan Adamonis (Sr.), Tim Fitzgerald (Sr.), Wyatt Custred (Sr.), Ryan McCrowe (So.), Cody Scully (Jr.), Craig Roberts (Jr.).Others to watch - Matt Shafer (Jr.), Nate Couersey (So.), Ryan Rimple (So.).Outlook - Pleasant Valley will embark on its first season in the newly-formed EPC with a veteran roster. But that experience will be tested in the new league, which will feature several unknowns in new competition as well as several courses the Bears haven't seen before. Different surroundings aside, PV will be looking to continue its success that made the team a favorite over the last few years in the now-defunct MVC.Quotable - "We used to be a big fish in a small pond (in the MVC). But now we're a small fish in a big ocean. I think this year could be an eye-opener for the kids. But I always stress that it's not about wins and losses; it's about what you learn that you can use for the rest of your life," Head coach Steve Krechel.TAMAQUAHead coach - Mike Sakash (1st season)District 11 Class - AALeague - Schuylkill LeagueLast year's record - 4-7Key losses - Michael Weinert, Derek Cinicola, Matt Stanek.Key returnees - Anthony Lewis (Sr.), Nate MacDonald (Sr.), Shane Osty (Jr.), Tim Lehman (Sr.), Jon Hadesty (Jr.).Others to watch - Carson Schoener (Fr.), Ryan Frederickson (Fr.), Paige Demetriades (Sr.).Outlook - With good senior leadership and some strong underclassmen, the Tamaqua golf team will be competitive. The Raiders have improved immensely over the summer months, displaying an excellent work ethic. The powerhouses of Division I in the Schuylkill League remain Blue Mountain and North Schuylkill, but Tamaqua is hoping to be competitive with them while also continuing to improve throughout the season.Quotable - "I think the Tamaqua golf team is going to be very competitive this season. We have been working hard throughout the summer. Losing a state qualifier (Michael Weinert) and two varsity golfers (Derek Cinicola, Matt Stanek) is difficult, but we have some good golfers looking to fill their footsteps," Head coach Mike Sakash.WEATHERLYHead coach - Mike Limberg (11th year)District 11 Class - AALeague - Schuylkill League Division IILast year's record - 2-8Key losses - Josh Reimer, Garret Titus.Key returnees - Luke Figas (Jr.), Kyle Osifat (Jr.), Devin Berger (So.).Others to watch - Derek Coombs (Sr.), Chase Wechman (Sr.), Martin Chicowic (So.), Madison Hartz (So.), Samantha Despirito (So.).Outlook - Weatherly, which played the majority of its matches last season with just four golfers, has increased its numbers this season. The Wreckers head into the season with an eight-person roster that consists of six boys and two girls. The team will be young (twice as many sophomores as seniors) and extremely inexperienced at the bottom of the lineup. Weatherly plays its home matches at Mountain Laurel Golf Course in White Haven.Quotable - "We are going to rely on Luke (Figas) and Kyle (Osifat). They are our top two golfers in terms of skill and experience and have the best potential to put up some solid numbers for us. The goals are to have our kids improve individually as the season goes on and to have a better team record than last year. In order to do that, we are going to need some newcomers to step up." Head coach Mike Limberg.