Three-time state champion, Palmerton’s Nataly Walters, will look to end her high school career with more postseason success.

In addition to Walters, Northern Lehigh senior Katelynn Barthold returns after earning her first state medal last season. Including Walters and Barthold, a total of six individuals who were state qualifiers last season are back this spring, while state-qualifying relay teams from Northern Lehigh, Palmerton and Northwestern also bring back tremendous talent.

JIM THORPE

Head Coach: Frank Miller (19th year)

Last year’s record: 2-4

Key losses: Aubrey Bonner, Dani Rimsky, Olivia Rosenberger, Leah Wasko

Key returnees: Aubrey Holland (throwing/jumps), Victoria Stehlik (throwing), Maura Malaska (throwing), Kelsey Patton (jumps), Keira Reese (hurdler), Stacy Bos (distance), Vanessa Sadler (throwing), Kimora Seales-Griffith (jumps), Iyanah Sockwell (sprinter)

Others to watch: Ella Cook (sprinter), Abigael Kuhn (throwing), Remy Gorski (throwing), Amber Lange (hurdler), Madilyn Off (sprinter/pole vault), Isabella Roman (throwing), Brooklyn Yuhas (sprinter)

Strengths: Throwing and jumps will be strong suits for the Olympians early on until they gain experience in the sprinting and distance events.

Weaknesses: A total of 27 of the athletes competing on the team this season are underclassmen.

Outlook: “A big thing for us right now is learning to compete, and learning what it takes to win at this level. The effort is there and that will be the motto for this group, is that we need to get after it every day to get better. Just like on the boys side, we will be relying on our throwing events early on. I think we can also do well in the jumps as well, and then again, I think we will definitely improve as the season moves forward.” - Jim Thorpe head coach Frank Miller.

LEHIGHTON

Head Coach: Erica Pagotto

Last year’s record: Record: 5-1 (2nd place in Schuylkill League).

Key losses: Synceray Behler, Gabriella Brown, Ava Kistner, Megan Kusse, Elizabeth Troutman

Key returnees: Lorah Thomas, Brielle Frable, Timara Klotz, Allee Maini, Emma Sherer

Others to watch: Anna Hawk, Hallie Miller, Claudia Pagotto, Kennedy Quinn, Lilyana Shapiro, Sophia Wise

Strengths: With a blend of experienced upperclassmen and hungry newcomers, the girls’ track and field team is set to make a strong push for more hardware in 2025. The squad is filled with talent, and the hard work put in by athletes like Maini, Klotz, Frable, Reph, Moyer, and Thomas makes them a force to be reckoned with. The girls’ team is looking to build on last year’s momentum.

Weaknesses: In the Colonial League, each event is limited to a specific number of athletes, so not all of the team’s athletes can compete in regular season meets. Pagotto is hoping the girls stay committed to the team and focus on their growth for upcoming years, even though they may not have the opportunity to compete this season.

Outlook: The 2025 track and field season is set to be another exciting one for the girls’ team, which is coming off an impressive 5-1 record, and a second-place finish in the Schuylkill League last year. With a strong group of returning athletes and fresh faces eager to make an impact, the team is ready to build on their success and push for even higher achievements this season. One of the most exciting aspects of the girls’ team is the depth and talent across all events. The 400 and 1600 relay teams proved their strength in 2024, and they are poised to do even better this year. In the 400 relay, Allee Maini and Timara Klotz both played key roles in earning a fourth-place finish at the Schuylkill League meet, and their experience will be vital to the team’s success in these fast-paced events this season. The 1600 relay squad, which included Brielle Frable, Cayley Reph, and Taylor Moyer, also earned a strong fourth-place finish at the league meet. These athletes have continued to build their chemistry and pacing, and with their collective experience, they are more determined than ever to take the relays to the next level. Brielle Frable is planning on continuing her running career in college next year, and is looking forward to a season of PRs. In the field events, Lorah Thomas continues to shine as one of the top athletes in the region. Last season, Thomas was a standout, qualifying for states in both discus and shot put. She was the district champion in discus, and took second place in shot put, further solidifying her reputation as a force in the field. At the PIAA Championships, Thomas placed 13th in AAA shot put with a throw of 35-6.25, and 24th in AAA discus with a throw of 89-5. With her remarkable consistency and determination, Thomas is expected to be a key contributor once again this season, aiming for even stronger finishes and potentially higher placements at both districts and states.

MARIAN

Head coach: Justin Huegel

Last year’s record: 6-1

Key returners: Carlie Ankiewicz (Sr. Mid-Distance/Distance), Lizzy Burkit (Sr. Sprints), Teaghan Biros (Jr. Mid-Distance/Distance), Lara Cancio (Jr. Sprints/Jumps), Julia Dvorak (Sr. Sprints), Addy Fritz (Jr. Sprints/Jumps) Ava Fritz (Sr.-Mid-Distance/Distance), Isabella Horvat (Jr. Mid-Distance/Distance), Maddie Kattner (Sr. Sprints) Caitlyn Kovatch (Sr. Sprints/Jumps), Gabby Osenbach (So. Sprints/Jumps), Lizzie Pikitus (Sr. Sprints), Alyssa Porambo (Sr. Distance) Olivia Thomas (Sr. Throws)

Key newcomers: Maddie Davis (So. Sprints/Jumps), Brena Farley (So. Hurdles/Jumps) Kali Grochowski (So. Sprints/Jumps), Esme Petschauer (So. Throws), Maise Petschauer (So. Sprints/Jumps), Kailee Thomas (So. Jumps/Throws)

Outlook: “Our girl’s return a strong core of leaders, up-and-comers, and new talent. Throughout the winter, our leaders have separated themselves and have set the tone for this year’s team. Our goals never change. We always look to be competitive in the division, league, and district, and with the leaders and talent that have emerged, this should be one of our most exciting years. We couldn’t be prouder of where this team is at the start, and where it is going.” - Marian head coach Justin Huegel.

NORTHERN LEHIGH

Head Coach: Mike Lehtonen

Last year’s record: 5-6

Key losses: Delaney Szwast (distance)

Key returnees: Evelina Mayak (Hurdles), Katelynn Barthold (Mid-Distance), Dekota Barthold (Hurdles/Throws), Emma Heil (Distance), Natalie Moffitt (Mid-Distance), Mikayla Gordon (Sprints/Mid-Distance), Morgan Smith (jumps)

Others to watch: Anna Trelease (sprints), Alexia Heffelfinger (sprints) Arianna Williams (sprints), Taylor Everk (jumps), McKenna Kirk (throws), Sam Mack (throws)

Strengths: The Northern Lehigh girls return a loaded mid-distance team, including a 3200 relay team consisting of Moffitt, Gordon, Heil, and Katelynn Barthold that finished ninth in the state last year. Katelynn Barthold took home a seventh-place medal at the 2024 PIAA Championships. Evelina Mayak returns as a dominant 100-meter hurdler and competes on the 1600 relay team that will be tough to beat. Senior Dekota Barthold is a consistent asset for the NL squad, leading the female throwing department and showing off her versatility with her ability to run the 100-meter hurdles.

Weaknesses: The Bulldogs will need young athletes, such as freshman classmates Trelease and Heffelfinger, to set up in the sprinting department.

Outlook: Overall, the NL girls have a lot to be excited about with a well-rounded attack. With experience and proven talent from a year ago, they have many goals for the season.

NORTHWESTERN

Head Coach: Chuck Groller (11th year, 84-14)

Last year’s record: 10-1

Key losses: Katie Brensinger (hurdles/throws), Hailey Dubois (distance), Sadie Fenstermaker (throws), Kaia Grantham (sprints), Abigail Pomajevich (long jump/triple jump), Grace Yost (pole vault)

Key returnees: Kylie Christman (Jr., javelin), Mallory Connor (Jr., throws), Sophia Cornell (Sr., distance), Ella Dangello (Sr., sprints), Alexandra Diehl (Jr., javelin), Megan Fornwalt (Sr., hurdles), Hannah Gober (Jr., javelin), Adisan Kistler (Sr., throws), Taylor Langely (Jr., sprints) Ava Okuley (Jr., pole vault), Sophia Schaffer (So., sprints/LJ), Nora Silfies (Sr., high/long jump), Carsyn Van Norman (Sr., sprints), Kherington Yezik (So., mid-distance).

Others to watch: Rosalia Nestor (Fr., distance)

Strengths: The Tigers return three of the four members of a 400-meter relay team that placed eighth at states last year, and set a school record at a midseason invitational. They are Langley, Van Norman and Schaffer, who also qualified for states in the individual 400. Northwestern’s distance running contingent is annually among the Colonial League’s elite. This season, some throwers will look to bring depth to an area of the team that was hit hard by graduation.

Weaknesses: The graduation of district champion and state qualifier, Yost, along with league and district champ thrower, Fenstermaker, and the versatile Brensinger, it leaves some large holes for the Tigers to replace this season.

Outlook: Moving back up to Class 3A this season after several years in 2A will make the district and state levels of the postseason much more difficult to compete, as Northwestern will be going up against large-school teams from the East Penn Conference. “We lost a lot of depth from our senior group from last year. We do have some unknowns and challenges ahead of us. We continue to put the pieces of the puzzle together, but as the season progresses we will get better and stronger,” Groller said.

PALMERTON

Head Coach: Mike Gombert

Last year’s record: 7-4

Key losses: Jessica Heydt, Gretchen Schaible, Emma Snyder, Cora Wentz

Key returnees: Nataly Walters (Jumps, Sprints), Erin Gombert (Sprints), Claire Thomas (Sprints, Hurdles), Maddy Bennyhoff (Pole Vault), Ruby Walters (Hurdles, Sprints, Pole Vault), Gabby Lucas (Jumps, Throws), Sarah Sabo (Sprints), Aubrey Frable (Jumps, Sprints)

Others to watch: Kamarrah Saslo (Jumps), Cate Morgan (Throws), Bella Lombardi (Middle Distance), Ally Herrmann (Jumps, Hurdles, Sprints), Julianna Snyder (Jumps)

Strengths: Three-time state champion Nataly Walters will lead a strong group of jumpers, sprinters, and hurdlers.

Weaknesses: The Bombers’ biggest concerns are depth in the distance and throwing events.

Outlook: “We have a great group of girls who are competitive and a pleasure to work with each day. Our roster isn’t particularly balanced, with most of our accomplished athletes jumping, sprinting, and hurdling, so it will be important for the girls in the distance and throwing events to develop quickly and become consistent point scorers for the team to enjoy a lot of success.” - Palmerton head coach Mike Gombert.

PANTHER VALLEY

Head Coach – Trish O’Gurek (1st season)

Assistant Coaches – Patrick Crampsie, Mike Horan, Paul McArdle, Mike Tomko, and Jon Williams.

Last year’s record – 1-6 overall

Key losses – Mikayla Yuricheck (State qualifier – Javelin), Riley McArdle (Throws/Jumps/Javelin), Hilary Shreffler (Hurdles).

Key Returnees – Brenda Banks (League/District qualifier – Shot put), Morgan Orsulak (League/District qualifier – Jumps)

Others to watch – Alisa Williams (Sprinter).

Strengths – “We continue to have a consistent throwing program with the multiple throwers qualifying for postseason berths,” said O’Gurek. “Distance and jumps are other areas of high expectations for regular and postseason. Our sprinters/hurdlers are progressing and showing signs of growth from last year.”

Weaknesses – “At Panther Valley, we are working to build the number of athletes on our boys’ and girls’ roster,” O’Gurek said. “While our boys’ numbers seem to be promising, we have struggled to fill our roster spots on our girls’ team.”

Outlook – “Our goal is to improve our team records for both the boys and girls in Division Two of the Schuylkill League,” said O’Gurek. “We are looking for several athletes to qualify for the league and district championships, as well as having at least one athlete qualify for the state championships for the fourth consecutive year.”

PLEASANT VALLEY

Head Coach: Drew Davis

Last year’s record: 3-4

Key losses: Bailey O’Keefe, Hailey Klein, Nemani Moon, Kara Miller.

Key returnees: Danielle Boland. Brooke Greene, Keely Lawrence, Shannon Price, Ava Oviedo, Josie Fetterman.

Others to watch: Vanessa Kays, Aziya Moore, Sarah Montgomery, Mya Williams, Payton, Shillady. Jamie Jones. Shaylee Kimmick, Jessica Tartamella.

Strength: Mid-distance group.

Weakness: The throws/jumps/sprints/hurdles are working hard in practice and are looking to progress as the season continues.

TAMAQUA

Head coach: Jim McCabe

Last year’s record: 3-2-1

Key losses: Alexis Buchala, Sarah Coccio, Sarah Hope, Amelia McArdle.

Key returnees: Seniors - Andrea Betz, Erika Campomizzi, Avery Dietrich, Lucy DeMarco, Cadi Fannock, Ava Hess, Moana Hudak, Isabella Jones, Samantha Miller, Nichole Mushock, Samantha Plasha, Brooke Riley, Kimberly Rudi, Dana Sadusky, Jada Thomas; Juniors - Leah Black, Carla Castro-Sencion, Lyla Clemson, Katelynn Fredricks, Adrianna Geronimo, Ceanna Gormley, Sienna Hamm, Ava Jones, Kira Koch, Abigail Morgans, Jocelyn Navitsky, Destiny Steinmetz, Cecilia Ulicny, Mollie Walker; Sophomores - Jaydenn Cope, Bailey Pliska, Madelyn Schaefer, Payton Selby, Lila Stegemerten, Siena Stellfox, Sophia Stellfox, Jaana Tamagini, Hailey York.

Others to watch: Freshmen - Millie Black, Peyton Faust, Naomi Knitter, Kiely Kunkel, Mikayah Steigerwalt.

Strengths: “As with the boys, the mid- and long-distance runners for the girls – Betz, Geronimo, Ava and Isabella Jones, Pliska, Schaeffer, Steinmetz, Stegemerten, Walker – are strong. We have state qualifier Samantha Plasha and Cecila Ulicny in the triple jump. Katelynn Fredericks holds the school record in the 300 low hurdles.” - Tamaqua head coach Jim McCabe.

Outlook: “Success isn’t always winning; success is knowing you did everything in your power to be your best. That’s what we are looking to instill into all our athletes.” - McCabe.

WEATHERLY

Head coach: Ryan Kately

Key returners: Kelly Reiner (Jr.)

Key newcomers: Mya Binder (Fr.)

Outlook: “Again, being the smallest school in the district (and state), our numbers are not very large, but our kids compete. The good news, we have Kelly Reiner back, and she is a junior. Kelly has every girl’s school record in the throwing events, and has finished top 10 in the district in javelin her first two years. Our goal as a team is to improve throughout the year in every aspect and every event. Have the kids enjoy and grow to love the sport of track and field, and hopefully get as many league and district qualifiers as possible.” - Weatherly head coach Ryan Kately.