Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Division I
AUSTINTOWN FITCH
Coach: Seth Steiner, second season.
Top returners: Gabby Figeroa, senior, throws (national and state indoor champion; Tradaiza Merchant, senior, throws (state qualifier in shot put); Jayme Ritchie, senior, hurdles (300m regional finalist); Ebony Davis, junior, sprints (200m regional finalist); Ka’Naylah Cox, sophomore, sprints (200m indoor state qualifier); Carissa Jenkins, senior, distance; Liz Mozier, senior, distance; Tyra Barnes, sophomore, sprints (400m indoor state qualifier); Makaila Barbel, junior, sprints (400m indoor state qualifier).
Notable newcomers: Brittany Flago, freshman, sprints and long jump.
Outlook: Last spring, the Falcons went 9-0, winning the Mahoning County meet as well as the All-American Conference. Steiner says the Falcons will rely on LSU commit Gabby Figueroa and Merchant. He said the sprint/hurdles runners are very young, but talented. The loss of key contributors from last season will be a challenge.
Howland
Coach: Dan Libert, second year
Top returners: Taylor Craigo (Jr., distance), Morgan Buckley (Jr., distance), Demi Kontos (Jr., sprints), Nijah Perry (So., sprints), Emily Krafcik (So., sprints), Cynthia Williams (Jr., sprints), Christian Carr (Jr., sprints), Olivia D’Andrea (Jr., sprints), Madeline Lewis (Sr., throws), Jada Pagan (Jr., sprints), Morgan Petronelli (Jr., sprints/long jump), Lydia Weisman (Jr., hurdles), Cheyenne Wilson (Jr., throws), Gabby Matlock (Sr., sprints), Heather Stinson (Sr., hurdles).
Notable newcomers: Izzy White (Fr., hurdles/jumps)
Outlook: Howland has two regional qualifiers returning, Craigo (1600) and Buckley (3200), and a slew of letter winners from a team that finished fourth in its league meet.
Warren Harding
Coach: Charles J. Penny, 11th year
Top returners: Maya Bell (Sr., throws), Gariana Bercheni (So., sprints), Aisha Jackson (So., hurdles), Justice Richardson (So., sprints), Chyna Stroud (So., sprints), Leaha Zachery (Sr., sprints).
Notable newcomers: Nautica Hill (Jr., sprints), Jaka Lindsey (Sr., long sprints), Smantha Sperry (Jr., long sprints), Emily Stevens (Sr., jumps).
Outlook: Bercheni, Richardson and Stroud all return as all-state sprinters after stellar freshman years.
Division II
Cardinal Mooney
Coach: Dom Daltorio, ninth year
Top returners: Brea Berry (Jr., throws), Zhane Armstrong (Jr., sprints), Gina Patella (Jr., sprints), Hallie Yerian (Jr., distance), Renee Santisi (So., sprints).
CHAMPION
Coach: Shawn Wilson, fifth year
Top returners: Tori Swipas (sprints), Rylee Laswell-Bernhard (hurdles/jumps), Tayler Kesling (sprints), Hannah Sisler (middle distance), Natalie Knapp (middle distance), Lauren Harkins (sprints), Erica White (sprints), Emily Trunick (throws)
Outlook: The Flashes will be strong in the sprints and relays and have added 14 runners to this year’s team, giving them depth.
HUBBARD
Coach: Rod Greenamyer, 15th season.
Top returners: Lauren Cooper, sophomore, distance; Emma Kanning, sophomore, distance; Marissa Marando, junior, sprints; Leah McConnell, senior, throws; Amber Mierzwa, junior, sprints (4x200 regional qualifier); Maggie Paris, senior, hurdles; Michelle Peachock, junior, throws; Melissa Thomas, senior, sprints 400m regional finalist, 4x200 regional qualifier); Megan Vavrinak, senior, sprints (4x200 regional qualifier); Brianna Grande, senior, sprints.
Notable newcomers: Jordan Angelo, freshman, sprints; Alaina Colella, freshman, sprints; Cassidy Costicle, freshman, hurdles; Marissa Grande, freshman, sprints; Logan Nitsche, sophomore, distance; Justine Wylie, freshman, hurdles; Shirlayann Martinez, freshman, sprints.
Outlook: In 2013, the Eagles went 8-4. Greenamyer says team strengths are Thomas, increased depth and a good freshman group. Weaknesses include lack of distance depth.
Lakeview
Coach: Cindy Dickey, fifth year
Top returners: Brooke Beatty (Sr., throws), Katie Chuirazzi (Sr., sprints), Hollie Frantz (Sr., distance), Sydny Paul (Sr., sprints), Morgan Sims (Sr., sprints/hurdles), Jayna Szwedko (Sr., distance), Lindsey Sloan (So., sprints), Jackie Smith (So., pole vault/jumps)
Notable newcomers: Cheyanne Wilson (Sr., jumps), Cammie Becker (Fr., distance), Rachel Braunegg (Fr., sprints), Katie Klamut (Fr., distance), Madison Meeker (Fr., hurdles/middle distance), Emily Metheny (Fr., sprints/middle distance), Addie Paul (Fr., distance), Tiffany Vega (Fr., distance)
Outlook: The Bulldogs have 12 seniors and 17 freshmen, so the foundation is there for success this year and in the future. Lakeview won a league cross country title, so distance will be a strength.
STRUTHERS
Coach: Gary Hoelzel, first year
Top returners: Indiya Douglas (Sr., sprints), Carly Greenwood (Sr., jumps), Lynnea Mims (Sr., throws), Ieshia Walker (Sr., sprints), Wendy Ford (Jr., distance), Amy Wells (Jr., middle distance), Abby Rowe (So., hurdles)
Notable newcomers: Arceli Perez (Jr., sprints), Holly Kane (Jr., jumps), Ashley Gibson (Fr., throws), Kayla Greenwood (Fr., hurdles)
Outlook: Struthers should be strong in the throws and the sprints, but with only 10 girls out for track, depth is a concern.
UNITED
Coach: Nancy Miller, 10th season.
Top returners: Allison Parks, senior, distance (4x800 state fourth, 1600 state fifth); Caitlin Palmer, senior, throws; Amanda DeRuyter, junior, hurdles and high jump (100h regional finalist; Claudia Rockhold, junior, long jump and throws; Maggie Briceland, junior, distance (4x800 state fourth); Hunter Urmson, sophomore, mid-distance); Angela Judy, junior, hurdles and sprints; Natalie Gamble, junior, distance.
Notable newcomers: Mariah Eisenbraun, freshman, sprints and long jump; Brooke Knight, freshman, sprints; Taylor Miller, freshman, throws; Megan, freshman, throws; Brynn Hofmeister, freshman, distance.
Outlook: Miller says moving up to Division II has positives and negatives.
URSULINE
Coach: George Stroia
Top returners: Lavonte Powell (Sr., sprints), Xavia King (Sr., hurdles), Olivia Trinckes (Sr., throws), Nicole Zielinski (Sr., distance), A.J. Carnathan (Jr., sprints), Korree Cotton (Jr., sprints), Paige Hall (Jr., sprints), Precious Williams (Jr., sprints), Makayla Berry (So., sprints), Concetta Seidler (So., distance)
Outlook: The Irish will be strong in the sprints. Powell won the indoor state title in the 200 and Ursuline returns three runners from last year’s outdoor 4x200 runner-up team.
WEST BRANCH
Coach: Nathan Heddleston, second year
Top returners: Erin Carver (Sr., sprints), Rachel Carver (Sr., middle distance), Sydney Diehl (Sr., hurdles), Rashele Whaley (Sr., jumps), Katelyn Phillips (Sr., relays), Lexington Pittman (Jr., multiple), Lea Bock (Jr., throws), Alexis Wartluft (Jr., jumps), Karlie Williamson (Jr., sprints), Grace Bates (Jr., jumps), Hannah Sprowl (So., distance), Carly Sedlacek (So., distance), Haley Davis (So., distance), Bri Long (So., jumps), Macee Diehl (So., hurdles)
Notable newcomers: Aliza McConnahey (Jr., jumps/relays), Emily Menegay (So., middle distance), Alexis Hatton (Fr., sprints), Calista Waters (Fr., sprints/relays)
Outlook: Deep and talented, the Warriors should be in the mix to repeat as Northeastern Buckeye Conference champions.
Division III
Bristol
Coach: Michael Austin
Top returners: Olivia Pilon (Jr., hurdles/jumps), Kim Michael (Jr., sprints), Becca Merlino (Sr., distance), Rachel Bickford (So., distance).
Notable newcomers: Lizzie Goodridge (So., sprints), Vicki Kirby (Sr., sprints), Saahirah Cua (Sr., sprints).
Outlook: The team has 11 returning letter winners and 10 new runners. Pilon placed 15th last season in the long jump and is back as only a junior.
Brookfield
Coach: Bob Rodgers, 25th year
Top returners: Maggie Slattery (Sr., sprints/jumps), Lindsey Swanson (Sr., distance/sprints), Madison Bonekovic (Jr., throw).
Notable newcomers: Aubrey Mosora (Jr., jumps), Katie Bender (So., jumps), Angel Polk (So., jumps).
Outlook: It’s Brookfield’s first year back in the ACC. Slattery returns after reaching the regional finals in the pole vault.
EAST PALESTINE
Coach: John Stephens, eight season.
Top returners: Hannah Hall, sophomore, sprints and mid-dostance (800m school record holder, 4x800 regional qualifier); Morgan Mullen, junior, sprints; Kellianne Duncan, junior, sprints; Courtney Weber, senior, throws; Haley Hall, sophomore, sprints and distance (4x800 regional qualifier); Korynn Crawford, senior, distance (4x800 regional qualifier); Justina Stanislaw, junior, distance (4x800 regional qualifier); Braxton Feezle, sophomore, throws.
Outlook: Stephens said the Bulldogs are loaded with underclassmen. Only three seniors are on the roster.
JACKSON-MILTON
Coach: Mark Assion, first year
Top returners: Anjelika Pizzuto (Sr., hurdles/relays), Samantha Santor (Sr., sprints), Samantha Oblinger (Jr., throws), Olivia Wolfe (So., distance)
Notable newcomers: Autumn Kozma (Jr.,), Anna Lewis (Jr.), Cheyenne Morrow (So.), Alayna Wofton (So.), Lindsay Morgan (So.), Mackenzie Sanders (So.), Hannah Rossi (So.), Sami Metts (So.), Adriana Italiano (So.), Sammie Mansfield (So.), Olivia Fulyater (Fr.), Aleesa Whitney (Fr.), Katie Matasy (Fr.), Sienna Morales-Sweeney (Fr.), Julissa Tomaino (Fr.), Heather Kirk (Fr.)
LOWELLVILLE
Coach: Lisa Modelski, second year
Top returners: Katie Seidita (Sr., throws), Alexis Phillips (Jr., throws), Andi Hrusovsky (Jr., sprints), Taylor Olson (So., sprints)
Notable newcomer: Alaya Chavers (Fr., throws)
Outlook: The Rockets lost three key athletes before the season with basketball injuries, so they’ll need their young athletes to step up a little sooner than expected.
MAPLEWOOD
Coach: David Deeter, 17th season.
Top returners: Kayla, senior, high jump; Victoria Karlovic, junior, hurdles; Danielle Elwovel, junior, throws; Deneen Penn, junior, high jump and long jump and 800; Liza Yoder, sophomore, throws (regional qualifier); Darien Ferry, sophomore, hurdles.
Notable newcomers: Makayla Pop, freshman, throws.
Outlook: Deeter says the Rockets’ strengths include the hurdlers and throwers. He said Badger and Pymatuning Valley will be strong.
MINERAL RIDGE
Coach: Matthew Blair, third year
Top returners: Kate Keleman (Sr., distance), Alyssa Harkins (Jr., hurdles), Alyssa Porter (Jr., throws)
Notable newcomers: Lauren Bower (Sr., hurdles), Clari Chiclowe (Fr., throws)
Outlook: The Rams should be strong in the hurdles and the sprint relays. Depth is a concern.
Springfield
Coach: BIll Knight, second year
Top returners: Ariel Smith (So., jumps/sprints), Marra Newton (Sr., sprints), Autumn Champney (Sr., throws), Devon Galvin (Jr., jumps/sprints), Michael Inboden (So., distance), Colton Gudat (Jr., sprints), Quinton Walter (So., sprints/jumps), Evan Davis (So., jumps/sprints), Maurisa Russell (So., sprints), Sierra Thompson (So., hurdles/distance), Kelsey Ewing (Jr., throws).
Notable newcomers: Grace Ayers (Fr., distance), Kristy Eckman (Fr.), Halle Van Scoy (So., sprints), Jacob Henry (Fr., throws), Douglas Rhodes (Fr., distance).
Outlook: Smith finished fifth in districts in the long jump and missed a trip to regionals by 3/4. The Tigers return a number of experienced runners and look to improve in Knight’s second year in charge.
WARREN JFK
Coach: Jack Thornton Jr., first year
Top returners: Morgan Rice (Sr., hurdles), Natalie Hoso (Sr., sprints), Sarah Miller (Sr., throws), Nina Macali (Jr., sprints), Shannon Noark (Jr., throws)
Notable newcomers: Amber Brown (Sr., sprints), MacKayla Kroll (So., sprints), Antonella La Monica (Fr., sprints)
Outlook: The Eagles aren’t deep, but they’re talented. Rice won last year’s 100 hurdles title and they return three of their four 4x400 members from last year’s state qualifying team.
Staff report