Saturday, April 23, 2011
By Greg Gulas
The Fitch boys track team returns 17 letterwinners from last season’s team that went 6-6 overall and placed third in the tough Federal League.
Coach Rich Kempe welcomes back a solid nucleus and has a cautious optimism as they enter the 2011 campaign.
Returning is Waylan Andrews, John Cochran, Tarise Wolfe, Ty’Reese Anderson and Rob Venters in the sprints; Jake Miller, Kevin Betts and Kyle Gumble in the hurdles.
They will also feature Alex While, Dan Rein, Don Koehler in distance competition and Jay Jakovina and Andrew Dunn in the jumps. The throws include returnees Dan Musch, Bill Price, Jelani Davis and Alan Melfe.
The top newcomers include Nate Bowlen and Gary Gibson in the sprints; Sam Ortz and Daniel Rivera in the hurdles; William Mellott and Zak Patrick in the distance competition and Mike Cochran in the jumps.
The girls team was 6-5 last season and district runners-up, posting a 2-5 mark in the Federal League and a third-place finish at the league meet.
T.J. Koniowsky enters his sixth season as coach, cautiously optimistic about his team’s chances in 2011.
“We have an excellent balance of veterans and youth this year and that is something that can work to our advantage over the course of the season,” he said.
Seniors lost include Taylor Entzi and Alexis Cooper, but Koniowsky is ecstatic when he notes that 51 hopefuls will comprise his roster this season.
Seniors returning include Sarah Guerrier (distance); Makayla Martin (jumps); Shaquilla McElroy (sprints/hurdles); Sarah Ragan (middle distance); Fayosha Ross (sprints/hurdles); Jen Shiley (sprints/hurdles); Kaity Shiley (sprints/pole vault) and Ali Tolich (throws) — the defending state champion in both the discus and shot put.
Newcomers expected to contribute include Carissa Jenkins; Jayme Ritchie; Mikah Vaughn; Liz Mosier and Gabby Figueroa.