The Pleasant Valley boys posted an 11-0 record last season, finishing as co-champions with Parkland in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference.

Despite the loss of Times News Athlete of the Year Mike Mitchell and state qualifier Seth Slavin, the Bears are hopeful to return to the top of the standings again this year.

Below are previews of all nine area boys track and field teams:

JIM THORPE

NUMBERS ARE HIGH

... Head coach Frank Miller has every reason to look forward to the season getting underway, as his roster is the biggest in recent history. There are many returning letterwinners back to guide the incoming youth. “With a roster larger than ever before, depth development will be key to event flexibility,” Miller said.

DEEP IMPACT

... The Olympians’ roster is growing, and while Miller knows that is a positive, there needs to be a healthy balance throughout the list of events. “The sprint and throw groups have great depth and flexibility,” Miller said. “Early on, they will be the key to the team’s overall success so other event groups have time to gain confidence and improve.”

OLYMPIAN STRONG

... Heading the list of returning athletes are seniors Shawn O’Toole (sprints), Justin St. Hill (sprints/jumps), Trevor Keefer (jumps), Frank Prisinzano (jumps), Jeff Gorman (sprints), Jason Scott (throws), and Nujai Walcott (sprints). Four juniors that should earn plenty of points are Jarrin Geisinger (sprints), Sam Hydro (distance), Thomas Layden (hurdles), and William Munson (throws), while a pair of sophomores in James Schwartz (long sprints) and Jason Walck (jumps) will be a factor as well.

DOWN THE LINE

... Eventually, Miller would like to see his veteran athletes combine with the newcomers to have a strong team. “The eventual goal is obviously having a well-balanced team in all event areas,” Miller said. The Olympians posted a 5-1 record a year ago.

LEHIGHTON

BIG LOSSES

... The Indians lose two state qualifiers in Aaron Bowman and Tanner Haydt. Bowman won the District 11 Class 2A pole vault, clearing 13-6. Bowman, also a Schuylkill League champion in the event, tied a school record in the Class 2A pole vault at the PIAA Track and Field Championships. The senior cleared 14-0 to finish fifth in his first trip to states. Haydt showed his grit in the Class 2A 400 at the district meet. Haydt, a Schuylkill League runner-up in the event, overcame a lower leg injury to win the 400. The senior wasn’t done after the 400. Haydt, along with Caine Carpenter, Shae Blasiak and Jake Pettit-Clair, placed second in the 1600 relay to advance to states. The Indians also lost Matt Strubinger, a strength in the hurdles, and Michael Blacketter, a key part of the distance team. Lehighton also lost Donovan Buchinsky, a Schuylkill League champ in the long jump.

COMING BACK

... While the Indians have some holes to fill, they will be able to lean on Carpenter, Blasiak and Pettit-Clair as they try to improve on their 2-4 record in Schuylkill League Division 1 competition. Anthony Tavella (distance), Nate Lucykanish (distance), Evan Beers (distance), Dane Frantz (throws), Dakota Heister (throws) and Jack Schaeffer (throws) also will provide experience. “The throws again will be strong due to Dane Frantz, Nate Petit-Clair will do well in the 400. Shae Blasiak will be strong in High Jump. Caine Carpenter and Shae will also do well in the sand jumps,” said head coach Jim Blakeslee.

STEPPING UP

... Addison Howland (distance), Michael Rodriguez (distance), Kaleb May (distance), Abe Garman (hurdles) and Ben Schatz (throws) will also be counted on to fill key roles in the lineup. “We’ve lost a lot of good athletes from last year. This will be a rebuilding year for a lot of the events. Our success entirely depends on our younger people coming through in various areas. Our boys lost by a few points in each meet last year. Pottsville, Blue Mountain and Jim Thorpe are always challenges for us,” Blakeslee said.

OUTLOOK

... “I believe we will be quite competitive in our league. We have a lot of good athletes coming in from our middle school team last year. I’m hoping they can fill any weaknesses,” Blakeslee said.

MARIAN

SUCCESS LAST YEAR

… Head coach Justin Huegel is in his third overall season with the program, but 2018 marks his first as head coach. The boys finished with a 5-1 record last season.

GRADUATED

… Mike Witczak, Jeff Thomas, Devin Shimko, Matthew Stanziola, Gunnar Rehrig, Robert Middleton, Nate Litsch were all key contributors that have moved on.

WE’RE BAAACCKKK

... Despite the key losses, Marian has great numbers and a host of experience coming back. Expect Zaccary Roberts (mid-distance), Joseph DeLash (mid-distance), Ryan Chapman (hurdles, jumps), Joe Jordan (hurdles, jumps), Eddie Pulaski (distance), Aidan Hinchey (jumps), Josh Hurst (hurdles, jumps), Kobie Arndt (throws), Aaron Srinivasan (distance), Andrew Osilka (throws), Jacob McNelis (throws, sprints), and Johnny Patton (throws) to make an impact.

REINFORCEMENTS

… Ean Chelak (sprints/mid-distance), Daniel Holinchek (mid-distance/distance), Justen Arriaga (sprints/mid-distance), Brandon Sabulsky (sprints), Zach Mauro (sprints), Nick Falls (throws/sprints), Christian Smith (throws), and Gabe Bauer (sprints/jumps) will all look to contribute.

THERE’S NO I IN TEAM

… Huegel gave nothing but kudos to his senior class. “The senior class this year has been an example of how a group can come together, and accomplish extraordinary things,” he said. “They have overcome more adversity than most, and the underclassmen have seen this, and started to create their own place to become the next generation of leaders in our program.”

NORTHERN LEHIGH

MOVING ON

... Northern Lehigh lost several standouts in the field events. Gone is Jackie Ni, who placed second in the District 11 Class 2A shot put to qualify for states. Ni also qualified for states in the discus, an event he was third in at the Colonial League meet. The Bulldogs also lost Nick Miller, the league champion in the pole vault, and Joe Egan, who was fifth at leagues in the javelin.

SPRINGBOARD

... Bulldogs head coach Mike Lehtonen is hoping an impressive showing during the winter season in basketball and wrestling will benefit several athletes this spring. “Coming directly off a strong basketball season, Robert Shoff, Preston Kemery, and Nate Keller will look to display their athleticism on the track. Kemery and Keller look to be a strong duo in the distance and mid-distance events, while Shoff will be making a name for himself in the jumps and sprints. Senior Trevor Hoffman has high hopes in the javelin, and classmate Seth Fronheiser (wrestling) will be competitive in the sprints,” said Lehtonen.

KEEP ON EYE ON

... Lehtonen, who is beginning his 11th year as head coach, is also going to be counting on Josh Fritchman (junior, throws), Eric Morales (junior, mid-distance), Zach Moyer (sophomore, multiple events), CJ Davies (junior, distance) and Chase Ohlson (senior, hurdles/jumps).

LOOKING AHEAD

... After posting a 2-9 mark in Colonial League competition last year, Lehtonen is eager to get the season started. “We have a large number of new faces that have big shoes to fill with the graduation of last year’s senior class. The team has been working hard and braving the elements of Mother Nature early in the season to take advantage of every practice in order to get better,” Lehtonen said.

NORTHWESTERN

DOUBLE DUTY

... After previously leading only the girls team the past four years, Chuck Groller takes over as the boys head coach after the departure of Tim Cunningham.

BIG LOSS

... Northwestern will have to replace Trevor Cunningham, who advanced to the state meet with a second-place finish in the Class 3A 300 hurdles, crossing the line in 39.51. Cunningham also was a Colonial League runner-up in the 110 and 300 hurdles. The Tigers also lose Tyler Derr, who was a runner-up in the pole vault at the league meet. Also gone are Julius Mittl (long and triple jumps) and Robbie Seyfried (high jump, long and triple jumps).

KEY COGS

... Groller will be counting on Phillip Castrine (senior, long distance), Andrew Cornell (senior, mid and long distance), Dylan Frantz (senior, sprints and long jump), Jason Garcia (senior, shot put), Robbie Leiser (senior, mid and long distance) and Hunter Miller (senior, javelin and discus) to be leaders of this year’s team. Castrine and Leiser were state qualifiers during the cross country season. “Our mid and long distance events, led by Phillip Castrine, Andrew Cornell, and Robbie Leiser, will be areas of strength for us this season. In the throwing events, the discus and javelin will be led by Hunter Miller, along with Jason Garcia in the shot put. In sprints and long jump, we’re looking to Dylan Frantz to lead a young squad of sprinters and jumpers. All of these young men have Colonial League championship meet experience,” Groller said.

KEEP AN EYE ON

... While Groller will be looking to his experienced leaders to guide the team, he’ll also be counting on several newcomers and underclassmen, such as John McArdle (senior, pole vault), Nolan Hernandez (junior, hurdles), Devin Thomas (junior, high jump), Sam Yadush (junior, javelin) and Tyler Watson (sophomore, pole vault), to fill key roles this year.

OUTLOOK

... After posting an 8-3 mark in the league a year ago, Groller is looking for the team to continue improving this season. “Our goal is to be above .500 in the regular season. Out of the 53 on our roster, freshmen and sophomores total 36. We are a very young team with a lot of unknowns. Mother Nature also has not been cooperating to start off our season so that we can evaluate them the way we would like to. Time will tell how these young men respond to the challenges that lie ahead,” Groller said.

PALMERTON

BACK AGAIN

… Bryce Beahm (jumps, sprints), Jesse DeKorte (jumps) and Mike Eckhart (hurdles, sprints, jumps) lead a core group of returnees into their senior season. Following them is a talented junior class in Chris Fredericks (throws, returning district champion), Jake Martinez (returning district gold medalist), Jevon Nelson (sprints, jumps), Aaron Stasko (sprints) and Cody Waterhouse (sprints). Also back are sophomores Jordan Nelson (hurdles, sprints, jumps) and Andrew Sabo (sprints). Fredericks captured a Colonial League and district title, winning the javelin at both meets last season. Martinez and Jordan Nelson look to continue where they left off, winning medals at districts. Martinez won gold in the 1600 and bronze in the 800 meter, while Nelson finished second in the 110 hurdles. All three were state qualifiers.

COMPETE WITH THE BEST

… A 4-7 mark didn’t sit well with the Bombers a year ago, as Wilson (11-0), Palisades (10-1) and Bangor (9-2) were the cream of the crop last season. “The Colonial League is always very competitive, and this year will be no exception,” said head coach Mike Gombert. “We have six returning state competitors (Eckhart, Fredericks, Martinez, Stasko, Waterhouse, Nelson) who enjoyed remarkable success last year and hope to make this season even better. Consistency from all of the upperclassmen and continued improvement from the underclassmen will determine our team’s success.”

A FIELD CONCERN

… Sprints, jumps and hurdles are well-covered by returning Bombers. The team, however, is concerned with the throwing events and pole vault. Those areas need a bit of work to help the Bombers remain competitive within the league.

NO BETTER SPARK PLUG

… The Bombers coaching staff is blessed with a number of leaders on their squad this season. Martinez especially stands out. “Jake is the hardest worker on the team,” Gombert said. “He is the one with the most self-motivation to get better each day. We expect big things from him and he’s ready to prove it ... he cannot wait for the season to start.”

PANTHER VALLEY

SPEED AND ENDURANCE

... Although the Panthers numbers aren’t great this season, interim head coach Fenton Black expects his team to be competitive in the sprints and distance events. There’s a lot of interest and competition internally for those spots. “The staff is excited to see what our athletes can do out there. I think our strengths will be in the sprints and distance events. We have a lot of interest in the sprints, and there’s a great group training hard for the distance events. I would like to see more students come out for the team and get involved, but as I said, we’re excited with the group we have,” said Black.

RETURNING

... Four athletes returning to the squad who are expected to make an impact for the Panthers are Tyler Davis in the long jump and triple jump, Elias Tavares in the 200 and 400, Noah Berk in the 800, and Cordelle Brettle in the 1600 and 3200.

ATHLETES TO WATCH

... The Panthers also have a host of players that could break out this season. Included in that group are Colby Newton (sprints), Blake Morgans (throws), Matt Santore (hurdles), Bradley Buzzard (distance), and Seth Berk (discus).

PLEASANT VALLEY

BIG LOSSES

... Gone are Mike Mitchell and Seth Slavin. Mitchell was a runner-up in the long jump and third in the triple jump at the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference meet. Mitchell, the Times News Male Track Athlete of the Year, vaulted to wins in the District 11 Class 3A long jump and triple jump, breaking his own school records in both events. Mitchell finished his high school career with a fifth-place medal in the triple jump, and a 12th-place result in the long jump at the PIAA Championships. Slavin, a runner-up in the District 11 Class 3A 3200 as a junior, pulled away to secure a win by a wide margin last season. Slavin also anchored the team of Luke Valdevit, Jonathan Mickens and Gabe Sullivan to a second-place finish in the 3200 relay, a run that secured the quartet a spot at the state meet.

HOLES TO FILL

... In addition to Mitchell and Slavin, Pleasant Valley will also have to replace Sullivan, Ben Bard (throws), Jordan Brown (sprints), Brendan Gilleece (sprints), Billy Milburn (distance), Justin Richardson (sprints), Jose Rosario (hurdles) and Maurice Wright (jumps) from a squad that went 11-0 last season. “Our sprinters are young and need to mature very quickly if we are going to compete for the EPC title once again,” said Bears head coach Michelle Piontkowski.

COMING BACK

... While several key pieces from last year’s team have graduated, Piontkowski is looking for a number of experienced upperclassmen to contribute to this year’s squad. “The distance athletes will once again lead the team in points. In saying that, we should be competitive in almost every event this year, however, replacing the seniors from last year will be tough. The young athletes are going to need to step up and fill some big shoes,” said Piontkowski. The Bears return Mickens, Valdevit, Tyler Bobb-Duberry (sophomore, sprints), Wyatt Bray (sophomore, sprints), Connor Covart (sophomore, distance), Louis Difusco (senior, distance), Jayce Fratta (junior, throws), Xavier Garmony (junior, hurdles), Ben Henwood (junior, sprints), Malichai Jones (senior, sprints), Justin Kautzsch (senior, jumps), Steven Li (senior, pole vault), Matt Maly (senior, throws), River Marks (senior, distance), Nasai Moon (junior, sprints/jumps), Ryan Murphy (senior, distance), Deshawn Scarboro (junior, jumps), Dulani Smith (senior, throws) and Jerel Thomas (senior, jumps/hurdles).

HELP IS ON THE WAY

... Depth should be on Pleasant Valley’s side. Piontkowski’s boys team will have 66 members at the start of the season. Patrick Conklin (junior, sprints/pole vault), Mason French (sophomore, sprints), Evan Fisher-Perez (sophomore, distance), Bryce Hampton (junior, throws), Connor Makara (freshman, distance) and John Mitchell (junior, sprints/jumps) should also contribute. “Barring injury, we should be a factor in the EPC race again this year. If we can get key contributions in certain areas, we’ll have a chance for the EPC title,” Piontkowski said.

TAMAQUA

HIGH HOPES

... Senior Brad Clemson is coming off a stellar cross country campaign that included a Schuylkill League title. Clemson was just as impressive last spring, when he won the District 11 Class 2A 800 and finished 11th at states. Clemson, a Schuylkill League runner-up in the 800, along with Raymond Kinder, Adam Melnick and Derian Stianche, placed second in the Class 2A 3200 relay to move on to states. Melnick and Kinder are gone, but Stianche is back for his junior season. Also lost to graduation are Matt Smarr, a district and Schuylkill League runner-up and state qualifier in the pole vault, and Zeke Wassell.

COMING BACK

... Dair Miller (senior, 400,800), Khalid Holland (junior, pole vault), Nathaniel Davidson (senior, hurdles), Matt Amodea, (junior, shot put), Jacob Rudy (junior, shot put) and Billy Shilko (junior, high jump) lead an experienced returning group.

WATCH OUT FOR

... Matthew Kistler (sophomore, 100/200/400), Pierce Demetriades (pole vault/javelin/sprints), Tyler Disbrow (discus), Barron Stauffenberg (800 and triple jump), John Frank (sophomore, long jump and triple jump), Zeno Zukovich (sophomore, hurdles/sprints) and Isaac Miller (junior) will also be counted on to contribute this season. “We should have a good mix of athletes in each area this season. Leaders in throws will be Matt Amodea and Jacob Rudy; mid distance Brad Clemson and Derian Stianche; pole vault Kahlid Holland and Pierce Demetriades; and several new sprinters, such as Matt Kistler, Colin Kreig, Dominic Shemwell, and returning from injury, Jake Barron and Nicholas DiMarco, will help us be competitive in all areas. Other additions of John Frank in events like triple jump and a few hurdlers led by Nathaniel Davidson will help us build depth,” said Tamaqua head coach Tom Kanger, entering his 12th season.

OUTLOOK

... “We lost a few key elements from last season, but our team is a great mix of youth and experience. Numbers are up and we should have an opportunity in every meet,” said Kanger.

Brad Hurley, Justin Carlucci, TJ Engle and Andy Steinmetz also contributed to this story.