Lehighton’s Tahmir Spencer enjoyed a breakout season last spring.

As a junior, Spencer was a district champion in both the 100 and 200, and place third in the Class 2A 200 at states. Spencer was ninth in the 100 at the state meet.

Spencer, the reigning Times News Boys Track and Field Athlete of the Year, should have plenty of company on the medal stand at Shippensburg this season.

Palmeton’s Jake Martinez (1600) and Tamaqua’s Khalid Holland (pole vault) also placed eighth at the PIAA Track and Field Championships a year ago, and will be looking to better their positions this season.

On the team side, Jim Thorpe capped a dominant undefeated season with a Schuylkill League title. The Olympians have some talent to replace, but there’s no doubt head coach Frank Miller will have the team ready once the gun goes off and the season begins.

JIM THORPE

THE CHAMP IS HERE

... The Jim Thorpe boys are coming off a sterling 6-0 (overall and league) season, one that included the team title at the Schuylkill League Championships. “The blend of returning experience of big meets and infusion of younger talent and work ethic has the potential to bring another successful season for the Olympians this track and field season. Track events, throws, and pole vault are all relatively balanced with some depth. Long, triple, and high jump are a current concern for the coaching staff, but there are many student-athletes willing to try to develop into the voids that the team currently has,” said Frank Miller, entering his 13th season as the Olympians’ head coach.

BIG SHOES TO FILL

... Thorpe loses Justin St. Hill (District 11 Class 3A and Schuylkill League triple jump champ), Jeffrey Gorman and Nujai Walcott (members of the Class 3A-winning 1600 relay team), Jason Scott (Schuylkill League champion in discus), Chris Valdez (middle distance/distance), Trevor Keefer (pole vault), Frank Prisinzano (jumps), Nick Rosahac and Shawn O’Toole. Walcott was also second in the Class 3A 200 and qualified for states, and fourth in the 400 at districts, while Gorman was fourth in the 200 and fifth in the 400. Walcott’s 50.07 in the 400 was an area best last season. The Olympians also posted area best times in the 400 relay (43.51) and 1600 relay (3:25.61), while St. Hill had the best mark in the triple jump (44-7 3/4).

COMING BACK

... In order to compete in Division 1 of the Schuylkill League, Miller will be counting on Jarrin Geisinger (senior), Sam Hydro (senior), William Munson (senior), Thomas Layden (senior), Noah Rodgers (senior), Blake Killmer (senior), Preston Lawrence (senior), CJ Selby (junior), Jason Walck (junior) and James Schwartz (junior) to help lead the way. Geisinger was the league champ and a state qualifier in the 100, Hydro was league champ in the 1600 and a state qualifier in the 800, Munson a league champ and district runner-up in the shot put, as well as a league and district runner-up in the discus, an event he was a state qualifier in. Hydro owned the area best time in the 800 (1:57.05) last season, while Munson had the best mark in the shot put (50-6 1/2). And don’t forget Jarrin Geisinger, a state medalist in 2017 in the 100.

KEEP AN EYE ON

... Miller is also expecting big things from several other athletes, some that have varsity experience and others that don’t. Look for Alex Strauss (senior), Dylan Dailey (senior), Dawson Schriner (senior), Cobe Frycklund (junior), Trent Hunter (junior), AJ Bailor (sophomore), Chris Condly (sophomore), Justin Ellis (sophomore), Chris Strika (sophomore), Bryan Bowen (freshman), Brandon Fasolino (freshman), David Richards (freshman) and Ben Seachrist (freshman) to fill roles vacated by many of the departing seniors.

UPBEAT AND OPTIMISTIC

... While there is still work to be done, Miller likes what he has seen from his team so far. “The work ethic early in the season has been extremely positive and competitive among all event areas. After the successes of last season, the returners that have competed at the biggest of meets are taking their individual experiences and passing them off to their teammates as a way of encouragement to help elevate everyone’s performances,” he said.

LEHIGHTON

NEED FOR SPEED

... Tahmir Spencer, the Times News Boys Track and Field Atlete of the Year, returns after placing third in the Class 2A 200 at states - and narrowly missing a medal 100. The senior missed qualifying for the finals – and guaranteeing himself a second medal – in the 100. He ran an 11.25 and was sixth in his semifinal. Spencer also powered his way to two gold medals at districts in the 100 and 200, respectively.

SOME SHOES TO FILL

... The Indians lose Shae Blasiak, who was tied for second in the high jump at districts. Blasiak’s performance, clearing 5-10, helped him secure a spot at states. Blasiak was also fourth in the triple jump at districts, and had an area best mark of 6-2. Jake Petit-Clair, who was third in the 400 at districts, has also graduated. The team also loses Anthony Tavella (distance), Jackson Schaeffer (throws) and Dane Frantz (throws).

SMALL BUT MIGHTY

... Blakeslee noted that the boys’ team might be down on numbers this season, with only 38 on the squad. Still, the Tribe will do all they can to maximize every point in each event. “We’ve got Ben Mathisen on the track, and Tahmir, obviously, and Dakota Hiester in the throws. Those guys have been around. And we’ve got Ben Schatz, who is coming off a strong basketball season. This will be his second year out for track, and I think he’ll do a nice job,” Blakesless said.

GROWING TOGETHER

... “We have lots of young kids. We’ll have a lot of good individuals, but it will be tough to contend with some of the Schuylkill League teams. But I’m looking forward to a good season, and good competition, with a lot of good individual marks. We’ll do the best we can,” Blakeslee said of his outlook for the season.

OPENING DAY

... Lehighton opens the season next Wednesday at home against Jim Thorpe.

MARIAN

COLTS BORN TO RUN

… Marian always seems to have sprinters, and this year’s edition should be just fine, as the team is coming off a 4-2 record in 2018. Huegel will look to replace several talented runners from last season, which lost Joe DeLash, Aaron Srinivasan, Eddie Pulaski, Kobie Arndt, Zaccary Roberts, Josh Hurst, Joe Jordan, Ryan Chapman, Aidan Hinchey, Jacob McNelis

VETERANS ON THE HORIZON

… Huegel brings a few solid veterans back for the season, with sprinters Zach Mauro and Gabriel Bauer the top two. The middle distance runners find Justine Arriaga and Ean Chelak, while Danny Holincheck is in the long distance. The throwing events find Andrew Osilka, John Patton and Christian Smith.

HOW THE COACH CALLS IT

… “The 2019 season is similar to every year in that we set our goals to succeed at the league, district, and state meets. Our now alumni set a great example, and our senior class has done a good job of stepping into that leadership role. Our underclassmen and ladies have taken notice, and have started to separate themselves as leaders. Our athletes are starting to develop an atmosphere of excellence and, if they continue to work, the sky is the limit both on and off the track,” said Huegel.

NORTHERN LEHIGH

A YOUNG TEAM…

Expect the 2019 version of the Northern Lehigh boys’ track and field team to grow as the season goes on. “We’re going to be young,” head coach Mike Lehtonen said. “We’re a younger team here. Most of our kids are coming out as freshmen and sophomores. They’ll give us our biggest numbers.”

BUILDING

… Coach Lehtonen talked about pairing his younger athletes with the team’s experienced upperclassmen for this season. “We’re trying to build on the experience we have and be competitive this year,” he said.

KEEPING THINGS INTERESTING…

The unexpected weather forced the Bulldogs to take a different approach to practices before things improved. “Just like any team in our area here, we had to deal with the weather conditions, which are kind of normal this time of the year,” Lehonten said. “The first official day of track and field season turned out to be a snow day. We’ve been working out in the hallways, and the steps in the school. We had to get creative with our workouts. This past week, we did get out a decent amount there, so hopefully that helps us out and gives us some time to master some events for our kids.”

KEY RETURNERS

… Zack Moyer returns after a visit to states last year in the high jump. Senior Preston Kemery will be key as a distance runner after a big basketball season with the Bulldogs. Christian Staskowski, Josh Fritchman and Josh Saterlee will also join Kemery as part of the senior class. Sophomore Gage Giering will participate in the discus and shot-put for the Bulldogs.

KEEP IMPROVING

… Although Northern Lehigh has a younger team this season, they’ll look to improve on its 3-8 record from last year.

KEY LOSSES

… The Bulldogs lost Robert Shoff to graduation after he claimed the triple jump title at the Colonial League meet in 2018. Shoff was a district runner-up in the event, and finished 16th in the event at states.

NORTHWESTERN

GOALS FOR THE SEASON

… Northwestern finished 6-5 last year, and head coach Chuck Groller hopes to finish with a winning record in 2019. “Our goal is to be above .500 in the regular season,” Groller said. “We are a young team with a lot of unknowns. Time will tell how these young men respond to the challenges that lie ahead.”

KEY LOSSES

. The Tigers lost key distance runners Philip Castrine, Andrew Cornell (mid distance) and Robbie Leiser (mid/long distance) to graduation, along with sprinter Dylan Frantz. Jason Garcia (shot put) and Hunter Miller (javelin/discus) are also other key losses for Northwestern.

RETURNERS

…Senior Nolan Hernandez returns to do the hurdles, while sophomore Justin Rodda will mix it up with sprints and jumps. Another senior, Devin Thomas, will contest the high jump and triple jump.

OTHERS TO WATCH

… Senior Samuel Seyfried will also return to the squad as a sprinter, while Ryan Haas will do the hurdles. Juniors Joe Pleban, Matthew Renner and Matthew Boushell will serve as mid and long distance runners. Junior Michael Marazzo is a thrower for the Tigers.

GROLLER ON OUTLOOK

…”We are hoping to get points in sprints from Justin Rodda and Samuel Seyfried,” Groller said. “Nolan Hernandez will be competitive in the hurdles. Devin Thomas will be strong in high jump. In mid and long distance, Michael Rebert, Joe Pleban, Matthew Renner, and Matthew Boushell are working hard as a group. Hopefully, they can get us some points in those events.”

PALMERTON

BUILDING ON LAST YEAR

... The Blue Bomers had a strong season in 2018, and showed immense strength with three boys going to states. “The boys were 7-4 and very competitive last year, as evidence of their record,” Palmerton Head coach Mike Gombert said. “(We had) some tremendous athletes and accomplishments, and we had two school records broken last season: one by Chris Fredericks in the javelin and Jake Martinez in the 800. We had three boys qualify for states at Shippensburg, so that was certainly a highlight of the season as well. Jake Martinez came home with an eighth-place medal in the mile.” Martinez owned an area best 4:25.74 in the 1600, while Fredericks posted a 186-11 for the top throw in the area in the javelin. Fredericks was a district champ in the event, and a league runner-up. He finished ninth at states. Jordan Nelson, a district and Colonial League champion in the 110 hurdles, also qualified for states. His 15.05 in the event was an area best. The Bombers do lose Michael Eckhart, who had a mark of 21-6 1/4 in the long jump last season, the best in the area.

INTO THE SUNSET

… Martinez, a league and district champ in both the 800 and 1600 last season, is headed to Lehigh next fall, but there’s no doubt he’ll be looking to finish his scholastic career with another run at the podium in Shippensburg. “Jake is poised to have a tremendous season. He is a tremendous runner, just a great kid and has a tremendous work ethic. He is all-in when it comes to running and he loves doing it and it shows. He has just gotten stronger-and-stronger each year in high school. (He) wants to lower 800 m record this season. Intends to get back at states and medals.”

BETTER WEATHER

… Palmerton, like many area teams, has benefited from more favorable weather conditions so far this spring. “We were fortunate,” Gombert said about practices. “Last year was our debut season on an all-weather track, so we’ve been really fortunate that we’ve been able to use the track quite a bit. When we had cinders, it was kind of difficult to get outside. Things have been going quite well. We’re seeing a lot of progress with our kids.”

A STRONG GROUP

… Gombert talked about his boys being as one of the best in the Colonial League. “We feel like we have a really strong team and our boys are definitely in the upper-Escalante of the colonial League this year. Having those three returning State competitors, we have a lot of other talented athletes, we’re really hoping for a successful season.”

PANTHER VALLEY

BACK ON BOARD

… Bob Thomas is back leading the program after missing the 2018 season due to health reasons, and is looking to bring the unit together and become competitive as quickly as possible. Thomas says build it and they will come; and come they have with 102 track competitors out for the season, and that includes seventh and eighth graders that will be the future.

THIN IN VETERANS

… The Panthers aren’t heavy in veteran letter winners, but Coach Thomas says there is the making of some solid point makers for the team. The PV returnees find Bradly Buzzard, Blake Morgans, Matt Santore, Elias Tavares, and Charles Brittle and Gabriel DeMatto.

PLEASANT VALLEY

NEW SEASON

… Pleasant Valley looks to improve on its 6-5 record in 2018 with a lot of returners on the team. The Bears lost 10 seniors to graduation last year, but will have some newcomers on the squad. Senior Zion Moore is a new addition to the team as a sprinter after winning the EPC boys soccer MVP last fall. Football players Ahmad Wyatt (thrower) and Jack Stephens (sprinter) also join Moore for the new season.

ONE LAST TIME

… Senior sprinter Nasai Moon set Times News area best in the 100 (10.7) and 200 (22.1) in 2018. Moon is coming off a monster year in football last year, rushing for 328 yards in the Old Oaken Bucket game against Pocono Mountain East. Xavier Garmony also returns for his final year of track as a hurdler, and also set an area best (42.6 seconds) in the 300 hurdles. Ben Henwood and Patrick Conklin join the Moon-Garmony duo for the 2019 season.

STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES

… “With the addition of some new athletes, the sprinters should lead the team in points this year. 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 head coach Michelle Piontkowski.

DISTANCE

… Numbers are down for the Bears this season, and Piontkowski hopes the team can improve and stay competitive with other teams. “Numbers are down in distance this year, but the kids are working hard and should be able to stay competitive with every team this year,” Piontkowski said.

EXPECTATIONS

... “Barring injury, the bears should be a factor in the EPC race this year,” Piontkowski said. “ If they can get key contributions in certain areas, they will have a chance for the EPC Title.”

TAMAQUA

LEAVING A VOID

... The Raiders will have to replace Brad Clemson and Dair Miller, who were members of the District 11 Class 2A winning 1600 3200 relay teams. Clemson was also third in the 800 at districts. Tamaqua also loses Carson Schoener (discus/javelin), Xavier Cuadrado (110 and 300 Hurdles), Zachary Davidson (200/400), Isaac Miller (3200) and Brandon Heffelfinger (1600/3200.

HAPPY RETURNS

... While Tamaqua has some big shoes to fill this season, the Raiders also return a wealth of talent. Matthew Amodea (senior. shot put), Derian Stianche (senior, 400/800), Matthew Kistler (junior, 100/200/400), Jake Barron (100/200/400), Kahlid Holland (senior, pole vault), Pierce Demetriades (junior, pole vault), Brandon Fogarty (junior, 1600/3200), Nicholas Dimarko (junior, 110 and 300 Hurdles), Zeno Zukovich (junior, 300 Hurdles), Chris Osenbach (junior, 400/800), John Franko (senior, 100/triple and long jump), Barron Stauffenberg (junior, long and triple jumps), Nathaniel Noftz (discus) and Tyler Disbrow senior, discus) return. W”e lost a few good athletes from last season, but have several postseason competitors coming back in different events, including several state qualifiers in Derian, Kahlid, Chris, Tyler and Matt Kistler. We are evenly spread across events with some good athletes, but may lack the numbers in some events. We have quality jumpers, sprinters and mid-distance athletes, and will look for someone to gain some experience in the other events as the season progresses,” said Tamaqua head coach Tom Kanger.

THROWING THEIR WEIGHT AROUND

... Disbrow was a district runner-up in the discus last year, while Amodea was third in the shot put at leagues.

RELAY RETURNS

... Stianche, who is headed to Rider University next year, qualified for states in three events last year - the 800, 1600 and 3200 relays. Kistler was on the 1600 relay team, while Osenbach was a member of the 3200 squad.

NEW HEIGHTS

... Holland had an area best in the pole vault last season at 13-1 and was eighth in the event at states. Demetriades was third in the pole vault at districts, clearing 13-0.

NEWCOMERS

... Look for Brady Sherry (freshman, 1600/3200), Tyler Steigerwalt, Jacob Wasserleben (freshman, shot put, discus), Mason Dolinsky (shot put, discus) and (Mike Shlanta long jump/triple jump) to help the Raiders try to improve on last year’s 1-5 mark and contend in the Schuylkil League Division 1 race.

NOW HEAR THIS

... “I’m excited for our boys team. We do move up to Class 3A classification in the district and several of our athletes have experienced competition all the way to states, so it will be a good challenge,” said Kanger.

WEATHERLY

NEW BEGINNING

... Weatherly will be competing as a full team this year as a member of the Schuylkill League for the first time. The Wreckers will be a Division II program in both boys and girls competition.

WHO’S WHO

... Gone are Joel Hinkle (800/1600) and Nate Murphy (100/200). But head coach Paul Schertrumpf, entering his third year in charge of the team, will look to (Mason Gerhart (junior, 100/200), Scotty Zoscin (sophomore, 1600/3200), Chad Obert (junior, 400/800), Anthony Maguschak (senior, 1600/3200), Jacob Solonoski (sophomore, discus), Nick Berger (senior, 800/1600) and Derek Houser (senior, 100/200) to provide leadership for this year’s squad. “Our boys team may be short on numbers, but not on talent. Out of seven returnees, four of them were district qualifiers. With three upcoming freshman runners who were part of our division champion cross country team, we expect to have more, as they will help our distance team and relays. Even with low numbers, can score points in many events,” said Schertrumpf.

Zoscin was fifth in the 3200 at leagues.

UP AND COMING

... Schertrumpf will be looking to freshmen Frankie Willis (800/1600), Brady Walters (800/1600), Ricky Ray (800/1600) and Evan Wenner (100/200), along with senior Matt Grenet (400/800) to contribute this season. “Our first official season as a team will be an exciting one. With four returning district qualifiers, I really feel that number will double this season. Lots of talented kids on this team. Shooting for everyone to qualify for districts,” said Schertrumpf.

HERE AND THERE

... Though the Wreckers will be contesting their first season as a full-fledged member of the league, they will be doing so without a track. The team is practicing at Eurana Park, making the most of the facilities available to them.