The sky could be the limit for Planets

By SAM TALLARICO Eagle Staff Writer

March 23, 2007 Last Updated: March 23, 2007 01:19 PM High School

This season, Mars could be loaded for Bair — or Workman or Kier or Piocquidio, just to name a few.

The Planets boys track and field team lost only two major contributors to last year's section runner-up and WPIAL finalist squad and are what could be the deepest team in the area.

With nine successful seniors highlighting the team and a solid mix of juniors and sophomores to boot, the Planets could be a formidable opponent in Class AA this year.

"These guys are leaders, not just athletes," said Mars coach Joe Cioc. "Yeah, they have high expectations."

Graduation losses could hamper Butler's field events, but the Golden Tornado are looking to make a return visit to the WPIAL team championship meet, while Seneca Valley returns a large contingent of athletes with hopes of reaching the WPIAL team playoffs.

Karns City and Moniteau both lost several key athletes, but the teams should battle for the Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference crown.

The Warriors lost thrower-sprinter Matt Schandelmeier, thrower Ryan Protzman and sprinter David Rumbaugh, while the Gremlins lost state medalist Mark Ferguson (sprints), Steve Black (pole vault, relays), Jeremy Bowser (pole vault) and a bevy of distance runners.

Karns City will try to improve on its 62-meet winning streak against KSAC opponents, having captured the past five titles and not dropping a meet since April 2001.

Coach: Rick Schontz, sixth yearLast season: 11-2 overall; section and WPIALrunner-upsTop returners: Seniors Doug Moran (sprints), Casey Piper (sprints), Fred Pinto (sprints), Andy Strutt (pole vault), Steve Monnie (distance), Rob Miller (distance), Aaron Achezinski (javelin), Mike Porter (throws), Anthony McElhaney (throws); juniors Mike Martin (jumps), Brian Burka (hurdles), Matt Cooper (throws), Mike Schontz (throws); sophomores Mason McLaughlin (sprints), Ben Porter (distance)Strengths: Sprints, sprint relays, middle distance, distance, triple jumpWeaknesses: Inexperience in depthCoach's comment: "I'm cautiously optimistic. We're young in some events, but we have good athletes."

Coach: Wayne Roccia, 31st yearLast season: 8-2 overall, third in the secondTop returners: Seniors Dan Dickey (hurdles, 1,600 relay), Chris Eden (sprints), Oliver Flynn (distance), Mitch McGrew (400, 1,600 relay, jumps), Tim Miles (throws), Nick Mitro (pole vault, jumps); juniors Connor Barrett (high jump), Bill Burns (sprints), Frank Campisino (sprints), Chris Cipro (distance), Kevan Kelleher (middle distance), Andy Sporrer (jumps); sophomores Jon Boyd (jumps), Cam Stauffer (distance), Eric Geddis (distance), Matt Marchese (distance)Strengths: Distance, sprints, tradition of winningWeaknesses: Lack of experienced depth, particularly in triple and long jumps, hurdles, throwsCoach's comment: "We feel we have a nice nucleus of a team, but we have a few weaknesses. Most teams do. We have close to 95 boys. Our philosophy is a winning season, and that's what we'll shoot for."

Coach: Wess Brahler, fourth seasonLast season: 8-4 overallTop returners: Seniors Ben Hutterer (distance), Luke Tabacchi (hurdles, relays), Cory Steinhagen (middle distance), Andy Starr (hurdles, jumps, relays), Steve Carson (sprints, jumps), Luke Carson (pole vault), Seth Montgomery (throws), Aaron Scott (hurdles), Matt Fincher (middle distance), Ray Emminger (pole vault); juniors Zac Gross (throws), C.J. Wise (jumps), Vincent Moxie (middle distance), Doug Vogus (distance), Bobby Bateman (jumps); sophomore Brian Tackett (middle distance), Tim McNerney (sprinter), Dylan Beck (jumps)Strengths: Distance; a solid performer in each eventWeaknesses: Inexperienced depthCoach's comment: "We're a very well-balanced team this year, especially with 18 returning lettermen and spread out throughout the team. We have quality in a lot of areas."

Coach: Joe Cioc, 16th yearLast season: 11-3 overall, 8-1 in the section for second place and third at the WPIAL finalsTop returners: Seniors Derek Workman (middle distance), Cody Kier (distance), Dan Lynch (hurdles, long jump, javelin), John Watson (hurdles), Josh Thompson (throws), Ian Mundy (high jump), Luke Martin middle distance, jumps), Steve Jackson (sprints, middle distance), Josh Keil (sprints, middle distance); juniors Justin Piocquidio (jumps, relays), Bill Bair (sprints, relays), Brandon Stadelmyer (distance), Justin Stadelmyer (distance); sophomores Shane Kaclik (jumps), Vinny Smith (jumps)Strengths: Most of last year's year returns with depth in every eventWeaknesses: ThrowsCoach's comment: "As freshmen, these seniors were team leaders. They know this is their year. You don't usually get an opportunity like this, especially in Class AA. It's so well-rounded."

Coach: Bill Dillen, 14th yearLast season: 7-3 overallTop returners: Seniors Brian Zimmerman (javelin), Nate Kotecki (jumps), Brady Sherrieb (jumps), Mike Delibero (distance)Strengths: Numbers, jumps, javelinWeaknesses: DistanceCoach's comment: "We have 75 boys out, but we're still very young, probably one of the youngest teams we've had."

Coach: Rich Monti, second yearLast season: 3-5 overallTop returners: Seniors David Lawrence, Maurice Lewis (distance); juniors Jamar Johnson (middle distance), Dante Mallory (throws), Kareem Brackett (throws)Strengths: Throws, speed, numbers (32)Weaknesses: Experience, depth, distanceCoach's comment: "We're expecting a pretty successful year. We have some speed, more than last year, so I think we'll do well. We have a good group of kids. I have high expectations for this team."

Coach: Mike Kish, 28th yearLast season: 2-5 overallTop returners: Seniors Dan Dillman (throws), Paul McConnell (pole vault, hurdles), Doug Orloski (throws); juniors Dan Hartzell (distance), Nathan King (distance), Andrew Novak (pole vault); sophomores Ethan Geisler (hurdles), Derrick Orloski (jumps, javelin), Issac Osborne (hurdles), Brant Sloan (jumps)Strengths: Throws, distance, hurdles, pole vaultWeaknesses: SprintsCoach's comment: "We did not lose any key people (to graduation). return some solid individuals. ... We have not been successful in the boys track program recently. This year, we've put together one of the better teams in quite a while. We look to improve over last year's record."

Coach: Dave Gatewood, third yearLast season: 6-2 in the region for third placeTop returners: Seniors Nick Arnold (hurdles), Nate Peck (hurdles), Adam Stillwagon (middle distance); juniors Justin Spencer (sprints), Jordan Nichols (middle distance); sophomores Tom Bollinger (middle distance), Caleb Kolb (pole vault), Greg Reiber (shot put)Strengths: Hurdles, sprintsWeaknesses: JavelinCoach's comment: "This group has the chance to be really, really competitive and possibly a chance to win the region championship."

Coach: Don Black, 20th yearLast season: 12-0 overall, KSACchampionsTop returners: Seniors Tim Berteotti (hurdles), Travis Hendell (distance), Matt Endlish (throws), Mike Senopole (jumps), Kevin Beck (jumps); juniors Chris Harmon (distance), Cory Terwilliger (jumps), Charlie Beck (pole vault); sophomores Aaron McGarvey (distance), Josh Callender (jumps), Anthony Stimac (sprints), Josh Grenninger (sprints), Nick Sypulski (throws), Corey Gifford (throws)Strengths: Strong competitor in each event; distance, jumps, sprintsWeaknesses: Need to replace key losses to graduationCoach's comment: "We have only five seniors on the team, but we can put out a pretty good first guy in each event. We have a lot of talent in the sophomore class. The season will depend on how our sophomores do."

Coach: Mark Kosick, 24th yearLast season: 8-1 in the KSAC for second placeTop returners: Seniors Matt O'Malley (distance), Josh Snodgrass (pole vault), Andy Weichey (sprints), Aaron Smith (middle distance), Kevin McKinnis (throws); juniors Eric Hillard (distance), Josh Loos (jumps), Mike Kosick (hurdles), Clayton Drnek (pole vault); sophomore Tyler Armagost (javelin)Strengths: DistanceWeaknesses: Trying to replace some key losses to graduation, experienced depthCoach's comment: "This is probably the youngest team I've ever had. We've got a lot of young kids out and it will depend on how well they develop. The attitude has been good and the kids have working hard."

Coach: Denny Stewart, 33rd yearLast season: 7-3 overallTop returners: Seniors Brogan Gearhart (sprints), Josh Holden (sprints), Nate Boltz (hurdles), Brandon Johnston (hurdles), Anthony Hunsberger (middle distance), Brett Moore (jumps), Tom Rainey (throws); juniors Ryan Bowser (sprints), Clay Burns (middle distance), Drew Logue (throws), A.J. Ethriedge (javelin), Spencer Varner (pole vault); sophomores Colby Davis (sprints), Cameron Adams (middle distance), Ed Stewart (discus), Jacob Slease (discus), Neil Scott (javelin)Strengths: Numbers, depth at each eventWeaknesses: Inexperience depth in some of those eventsCoach's comment: "We have 55 kids, but we lost some pretty good kids. We lost Mike Brothers, who set a school record in the long jump and Toby Best, a school record in the javelin and he was part of our relays and jumps."

Coach: Luke LaVan, fourth yearLast season: 0-8 in the KSACTop returners: Seniors Rob Linamen (sprints), Alec Wagner (throws), John Zychowski (relays, sprints), Kevin Ortz middle distance, distance), Ryan Jackson (throws); junior Mike Hines (hurdles)Strengths: Sprints, throwsWeaknesses: Experience, middle distance, distanceCoach's comment: "We have some first-year seniors, so we're excited about that, and we have an influx of ninth graders. see a lot of potential there."