Squads looking for another shot at success

By Sam Tallarico Eagle Staff Writer

March 25, 2011 Last Updated: March 25, 2011 12:10 PM High School

Championships were all the rage in Butler County boys track and field last season.

Butler and Seneca Valley shared a part of their section crown, Knoch finished undefeated for the second year in a row and Moniteau grabbed the KSAC title.

And don't forget about Freeport, which rolled through the regular season, finished at 15-0 and took the WPIAL Class AA championship.

Most of those teams lost several top point-getters and must find replacements to give it another go in 2011.

The Knights, however, still have the experience to make another run.

“We are a well-balanced team. We have someone strong in almost all areas,” said Knights coach Wess Brahler.

The following are previews for the upcoming season:

Coach: Rick Schontz, 10th yearLast season: 10-5 overall, 6-1 in the section, co-section championsTop returners: Seniors Matt Rekich (hurdles), Darius Hightower (sprints), Corbin Seezox (sprints), Evan Gomez (distance), Chris Grooms (distance), Matt Pribis (distance), Spencer Murray (jumps), James Gregor (jumps), Nick Legacy (pole Vault), Nick Martin (throws), Mike Braun (throws); juniors Brandon Reamer (throws), Ben McKnight (throws), Jon Andreassi (distance); sophomores Carlos Sanchez (hurdles), Jake Alston (sprints), Derek Lenhart (sprints), Jordan Cratty (distance); Yurkovich (jumps); Josh DiPippa (pole vault), Anthony Paterno (pole vault), Travis Reed (throws), Cole Campbell (throws)Strengths: Experience and depth in each eventWeaknesses: Experienced depth in throws, distanceCoach's comment: “The section will be a dogfight. With us and the other teams, everyone's getting better. Everyone's gotten serious about indoor track.”

Coach: Ray Peaco, fourth yearLast season: 13-3 overall, 6-1 in the section; co-section champions; WPIAL Class AAA runner-upTop returners: Seniors Dylan Bilka (pole vault), Mark Davis (middle distance), Brent Kendrick (middle distance), Mike Martin (sprints), Steve Swanson (throws), Bob Watson (distance), Hunter Williams (sprints, jumps), Tim Wolfe (throws, jumps); juniors Gabe Edwards (sprints), Madison Goodman (middle distance), Matt King (hurdles), Tom Kocur (jumps), Alex Maxfield (jumps), Oliver Philogene (sprints), Andrew Schroeder (sprints, hurdles), Lucas Wildman (throws); sophomores Forrest Barnes (sprints), Dan Cashdollar (pole vault)Strengths: Depth, experienceWeaknesses: Finding replacements to WPIAL champion P.J. Blinn and others lost to graduationCoach's comment: “North Hills, North Allegheny and Butler are the three toughest meets and we'll have to win two of those, maybe all three, if we want to win the section.”

Coach: Wess Brahler, eighth yearLast season: 9-3, overall, 5-0 in the section; section championsTop returners: Seniors Adam Tuzikow (throws), Garrett Shaw (pole vault), K.J. McCrea (middle distance), Robbie Milsom (hurdles), Van McCarren (distance), Anthony Williams (sprints); juniors Phil Kletzli (middle distance), Ky Kenyon (sprints), Andrew Rumburg-Goodlin (sprints), Andy Tuzikow (throws); sophomore Dakota Bruggeman (sprints)Strengths: Sprints, depthWeaknesses: Sophomore class needed to add depthCoach's comment: “We're very experienced. We're two-time section champions. Our sophomore class, we have some very talented young men there and some freshmen.”

Coach: Patrick Scott, first yearLast season: N/ATop returners: Seniors Shane Cress (throws), Cameron Cress (throws); juniors Chad Knox (jumps), Nathan Bean (javelin), Elliott Woodward (pole vault), Sean Gannon (distance), Ryan Winner; sophomore Scott Slaney (distance)Strengths: Throws, jumps, distanceWeaknesses: Smaller roster, inexperienceCoach's comment: “We're a young group. We're in a tough section with Kiski Area and Knoch. I don't want to say we're rebuilding, but we're young.”

Coach: Bill Dillen, 18th yearLast season: 15-0 overall, 10-0 in the section; WPIAL Class AA championsTop returners: Seniors Marcel Ittner (sprints), Derek Durand (hurdles), Garrett Blake (middle distance), Kevin Keppel (middle distance), Curtis Hughes (javelin), Cody McClelland (throws), Shawn Liberto (jumps)Strengths: Throws, hurdlesWeaknesses: DistanceCoach's comment: “Our program, the last number of years, the kids feed off each other. They see the banners in the gym. The program has been at a great level the past 15 to 20 years and they want to keep that up.”

Coach: Rich Monti, sixth yearLast season: 1-7 overallKey athletes: Senior Tevin Allison (hurdles), sophomore Charles Hardy (jumps); freshmen Torey Baker (throws), Paul Carter (throws), TeJuan Harrington (sprints), Khalil Miller (throws), Quideem Willis (sprints)Strengths: Sprints, middle distance, jumpsWeaknesses: DistanceCoach's comment: “We changed sections this year, so we'll see some teams we haven't competed against in the years I've coached. ... We do have a lot more athleticism, more strength.”

Coach: Tony Consbruck, first seasonLast season: N/ATop returners: Seniors Nate Fowler (discus), Jack Viale (shot put) and Jon McAvoy (sprints); juniors Ryan Thompson (middle distance), Alex Flecker (distance), Jason Anna (distance); sophomore Travis Kroner (shot put)Strengths: Distance, throwsWeaknesses: JumpsCoach's comment: “My hope, right now, is this is a situation where we're not just rebuilding, but reloading.”

Coach: Mickey Hardenburg, fourth yearLast season: N/ATop returners: Seniors Josh Armstrong (jumps), James Conley (jumps, hurdles), Jake Kildoo (middle distance, distance), Cody Karcher (pole vault), Ross Caruso (javelin), Caleb Thrasher (distance), Dustin Hockenberry (middle distance); juniors Pat Rattaser (sprints), Alex Gilmore (throws), Joe Hoffman; sophomores Kyle Trinch (jumps, hurdles), Dan Jaskowak (distance),Strengths: Distance, sprintsWeaknesses: Middle distanceCoach's comment: “They are all working their tails off. There are no stragglers. We hope that translates into a great season.”

Coach: Don Black, 24th yearLast season: 9-1 overall, KSAC runner-upTop returners: Seniors Ethan McGarvey (distance), Dustin Scheerbaum (sprints); Luke Gordon (hurdles); Zach Kepple (throws), Colin Cochran (throws), Nate Ealy (throws); juniors Evan McGarvey (distance), Tyler Marsinetti (hurdles), Tom Stoughton (throws), Chris Znosko (throws), Brian Best (jumps), Nate Felsing (throws), Tyler Martin (pole vault), Nick Lessner (pole vault); sophomores Matt Slagle (distance), Justin Ryan (distance), Glenn Toy (sprints)Strengths: Key performers in most events, freshmen classWeaknesses: ExperienceCoach's comment: “I think we are a lot better in the field events than we were last year. We have a real strong group of ninth graders. The influx of them in the program should really help.”

Coach: Mark Kosick, 28th yearLast season: 9-0, KSAC championsTop returners: Seniors Alex Edmonds (distance), Josh Franiewski (hurdles), Brandon Timblin (sprints), Nick Summerville (throws); juniors Justin Snodgrass (hurdles), Anthony Conn (sprints); Kyle Armagost (javelin, jumps), Tyler Kristufek (pole vault)Strengths: Field eventsWeaknesses: Lack of depthCoach's comment: “We had eight seniors on the team last year and with Victor Santoyo, Jacob Boy and Nate Guterry, we cleaned up. This year, our top guys aren't bad and you may get five (points), but then you give up four. You've got to get first and third place.”

Coach: Bob Russner, first yearLast season: 2-7 in the KSACTop returners: Seniors Chase Johnston (jumps); David Graham (middle distance), Shawn Booth (pole Vault); junior Doug Watson (hurdles); sophomores Aaron Graham (middle distance) and Darren Seary (javelin)Strengths: Sprints, jumpsWeaknesses: Numbers (16), inexperience, field eventsCoach's comment: “We have some ninth-graders who are enthusiastic. We'll pick and choose (their events) as the season goes on. We'll try and get as much out of the kids as we can.”

Coach: Bruce Beichner, fourth yearLast season: 7-5 overallTop returners: Seniors Evan Wagner (throws), C.J. Adams (hurdles) and Alex Ford (sprints)Strengths: Throws, sprintsWeaknesses: Inexperience.Coach's comment: “We've got a good deal of talent, just not as many ninth-graders as I'd like. We'll have kids participating in every event. In years past, we never did that.”