A new divisional format is in place for this year’s EPC track & field season.
There will be three 6-team divisions based on county. Each team will have five divisional meets and one each against a team from the other two divisions.
Northampton County: Northampton, Nazareth, Bethlehem Catholic, Easton, Liberty and Freedom.
Lehigh County: Emmaus, Parkland, Whitehall, Allen, Dieruff and Central Catholic.
Monroe County: Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg North, East Stroudsburg South, Pleasant Valley, Pocono Mountain East and Pocono Mountain West.
Important dates: April 26, Zephyr Invite; April 28, Emmaus at Parkland; May 1, Jim Thorpe Invite; May 6-7, EPC meet at Whitehall; May 13-14, District 11 Track & Field Championships at Whitehall; May 23-24, PIAA Track & Field Championships.
Parkland boys and girls are the defending league champions.
Here is a look at each of the 18 EPC teams:
EPC track & field preview capsules
(in alphabetical order)
ALLEN
Co-coaches: Eugene Clay and Jarrad Max
Last year: Boys 0-8, girls 0-8
BETHLEHEM CATHOLIC
Head coach: Fred Rice, 12th year
Last year: Boys 0-8, girls 0-8
Top returnees: (BOYS) Sr. Mekhi Britt (mid-distance, distance, relay); Sr. Jack Rushe (sprints, relay); So. Zach Papcsy (javelin); Sr. Carlos Perez; Jr. Cayden Vassa; So. Carter Vassa; Jr. Zemi Rodriguez (mid-distance, hurdles); Jr. Brandon Andrews (mid-distance, hurdles); (GIRLS) Rio Stoudt (mid-distance, distance); Sr. D.J. Jones (javelin); Sr. Olessya Minorics (throws)
Key newcomer: (GIRLS) Fr. Nia Bush (sprints, mid-distance, hurdles, jumps)
About the Golden Hawks: Britt, headed to Lehigh, should be among the state’s top 800 runners. Jones has potential to be state level in the javelin. There are about a dozen football players who have come out, most of whom are young. “I’m excited to see where we are at four weeks from now,” Rice said. “We’re talented but young and raw.”
CENTRAL CATHOLIC
Head coach: Dave Ackerman, 16th year
Last year: Boys 1-7, girls 3-5
Top returnees: (BOYS) Sr. Duke Ebert (EPC 1,600 third, District 11 2A champion, PIAA 14th); Sr. Lucas Mushrush (distance); Jr. Will Haring (District 11 2A 3,200 fourth); Jr. Di’Quiawn Leak (jumps); Jr. Thomas Rafferty (throws); (GIRLS) Sr. Milly Wolf (jumps); Sr. Angie Braun (sprints, jumps); Sr. Grace Coppola (jumps); Jr. Emerson Springs (jumps); Sr. Emma Wells (sprints)
Key newcomer: (GIRLS) Sr. Anna Quinn (sprints; back out for the team)
About the Vikings: The girls will be solid in the jumps with assistant coach Dan Reichenbach working with them. Ebert will be the anchor of the boys’ team. He looks to return to the state meet for a fourth year in a row.
DIERUFF
Co-coaches: Tiffany Whitehead (girls) and Chris Newhard (boys), 9th year
Last year: Boys 6-4, girls 1-7
Top returnees: (BOYS) Jr. Laquaye Hamilton; (GIRLS) Jr. Aniya Holder (EPC 200 champion);
Key newcomers: (BOYS) So. Diogendry Campos; Jr. Darwin Suero; (GIRLS) Fr. Jordalys Difo Dominguez; Katie Chatman
About the Huskies: “This year’s team is young and hard working,” Newhard said. “They are resilient and looking to keep building on a tradition of success.”
EASTON
Head coach: Justin Patterson, 2nd year (7-2 boys, 7-2 girls)
Last year: 7-2 boys, 7-2 girls
Top returnees: (BOYS) Evan Guydish (sprints, relays); Sr. Dimitri Silva (EPC fourth, District 11 3A fifth shot put); Sr. Jacob Brunetti (distance, pole vault); Sr. Will Day (throws, sprints); Sr. Xavier Richardson (distance, relays); Sr. J.C. Wilson (jumps, sprints); Jr. Anthony Dorsey (throws); So. Keanu Edwards (sprints); So. Reynolds Mason (jumps); (GIRLS) Sr. Maggie Scalzo (3-time EPC and District 11 3A 300 hurdles champion; 2-time EPC and District 11 3A 100 hurdles champion; PIAA 100 hurdles seventh, 300 hurdles third); Sr. Faith Belote (high jump, distance); Jr. Charish Stewart (sprints, relays); Temiloluwa Adebayo (hurdles, relays); Sr. Jariana Rivas (EPC fourth, District 11 3A third in long jump); So. Sophie Braido (EPC runner-up, District 11 3A fifth in pole vault); Jr. Charlize Smith (discus); So. Vivian Clark (distance); Jr. Lama Mahmoud (sprints, relays); Jr. Lena Mahmoud (sprints, relays); Jr. Camryn Baker (sprints, distance, relays); Sr. Mary Miller (discus); Sr. Nishi Patel (distance, relays); Sr. Juliana Silva (pole vault); So. Elena Brunetti (high jump); So. Asr Fideen (sprints)
Key newcomers: (BOYS) Sr. Xavier Edwards (high jump); Sr. Marquis Labossiere (throws); Sr. Joziah Sosa (sprints); Jr. Sebastian Jean Pierre (sprints); So. Brandon O’Cain (jumps, sprints); Fr. Isaiah Durham-Nchu (high jump, hurdles); Fr. Brett Myers (jumps, throws); Fr. Braeden Ramirez (distance); Jr. Gianluca Reyes (hurdles); (GIRLS) So. Kiara Vasquez (sprints, relays); Fr. Brielle Carr (distance); Fr. Lyla Knoble (distance); So. Rowan Krieger (sprints)
About the Red Rovers: Scalzo leads an experienced, deep girls roster while the boys were hit hard by graduation. “We are a very young [boys] team but will still be competitive with our returnees from last season.”
EAST STROUDSBURG NORTH
Co-coaches: Marc Best (boys) and David Krupski (girls)
Last year: Boys 3-5, girls 4-4
Top returnees: (GIRLS) Maiya Baptiste (District 11 3A shot put fourth; sprints); Janaiah Millan (sprints); Ayla Hashway (distance); Lucia Sigler (mid-distance); Leah Geddes (mid-distance)
Key newcomers: (GIRLS) Amber Beckworth (jumps; Jillyanne Alvarez (jumps); Briann Anderson (hurdles)
About the Timberwolves: “We are very young and lost a lot of points last year through graduation,” Krupski said. “It is exciting to mold a team of underclassmen, and I am excited to see how they develop.”
EAST STROUDSBURG SOUTH
Co-coaches: Barry Krammes (boys), 21st year overall; Brett Yeomans (girls)
Last year: Boys 6-2, girls 7-1
Top returnees: (BOYS) Adam Korytkowski; Bryce Moskovitz; Gianni Gonnella; Ivan Laubach; Kaden Zerfoss; Bonnie Wanjohi; Shane Plante-King; Michael Rose; Hunter Miller; Jason Greene-Williams; Adrian Dubinsky; Julian Kwiecinski; Luke Falzone; Nick Sadura; Elijah Couch; Joey Montiel; Charles Capers; Tramir Banks; Michael Udeh; Jonathan Adjin-Tettey; Kevin DeBlasio
Key newcomers: (BOYS) Xzavier Pusateri; Xavier Riveria; Mamadou Ndiaye; Matthew Mercado; Keyon Enriquez; Zhaiden Dennis
About the Cavaliers: They should be well rounded in all events and improved in the relays on the boys side.
EMMAUS
Head coach: Kami Reinhard, 8th year
Last year: Boys 7-1, girls 7-1
Top returnees: (BOYS) Sr. Tyler Grabinski (District 11 3A pole vault runner-up); Sr. Jared Peter (District 11 2A 800 runner-up; relays); Sr. Conor Fisher (distance); Sr. Richard Will (distance);Jr. Colin Nonnemacher (throws); Jr. Robert Edwards (throws); Sr. Dylan Swartwood (throws); Sr. Matt Buss (throws); Sr. Nikolas Kearns (hurdles); Jr. Nicholi Marsh (sprints); Sr. Dorrian McCargo (sprints); Sr. Konstantinos Panagopoulos (jumps); Sr. Shane Pratt (sprints); Sr. Miles Cook (mid-distance); (GIRLS) Jr. Mady McCartney (District 11 3A 3,200 champion, PIAA eighth; District 11 3A 1,600 runner-up; Sr. Kayla Raine-Quinones (District 11 3A 100 hurdles runner-up; relays); Jr. Claudia Walls (District 11 3A high jump runner-up); Sr. Payton Campbell (District 11 3A 3,200 fifth); Jr. Gabby DeVita (District 11 3A 100 third; relays); Jr. Kayleen Louis (throws); Sr. Morgan Tandy (sprints)
Key newcomers: (BOYS) Fr. London Barrett (distance); Fr. Jeremy Sharpless (sprints); Fr. Zack Hoffman (distance); (GIRLS) Fr. Kayla Ofner (sprints); Fr. Madison DeVita (sprints); So. Marleigh Llewellyn (hurdles); Jr. Olivya Kroope (throws)
About the Green Hornets: The boys team has a lot of depth thanks to the most talented freshman class in Reinhard’s tenure. “The [freshmen] are learning from a talented and motivated upperclassmen team, so those two things together could lead to some big things from our team this year.” The cross country team is coming off a historic season. The girls team returns a majority of its top talent but lack depth in certain areas.
FREEDOM
Head coach: Charlie Heidecker, 8th year (21-56)
Last year: Boys 4-3, girls 1-7
Top returnees: (BOYS) Sr. Dylan Boyle (distance); So. Brayden Boyle; Sr. Amare DuBoise (sprints); Sr. Gabe Fihlman; Sr. Stephan Richards; Sr. Aaron Beete; Sr. Caleb Godboldt; Sr. Brian Quinones; Jr. Ethan Huertas; Sr. Jelani Fedrick; (GIRLS) So. Natalie Ray; Sr. Nya Morris; Sr. Kendall Duzant; Jr. Isabella Pitsilos; So. Emma Pitsilos; Sr. Julia Lopez; Jr. Cielo McClendon
Key newcomers: (BOYS) Fr. Jay Marrero; Sr. Welmens Joseph; Jr. Dylan Collier; So. Lashawn Johnson; So. Ian Petcock; (GIRLS) So. Alex Aurin; Fr. Alexis Reiser; So. Emily Sutton; So. Samantha Richards; So. Ivy Avitabile; Jr. Amelia Holden; Fr. Claudia Hodges
About the Patriots: The boys are talented, experienced and dedicated. The girls are young but are working hard.
LIBERTY
Head coach: Kevin Bush, 11th year (boys 62-31, 2 conference titles; girls 77-16, 5 conference titles)
Last year: Boys 4-4, girls 4-4
Top returnees: (BOYS) Anthony Otero (District 11 3A long jump fourth); Casey Huie (pole vault); (GIRLS) Katie Drabouski (District 11 3A 800 third, 3,200 fourth); Delaney Foster (jumps)
Key newcomers: (BOYS) Jake Pukszyn; (GIRLS) Elizabeth McClarin (distance)
About the Hurricanes: They have solid distance runners on both sides, especially the girls, and a lot of experience in the field events on the boys side.
NAZARETH
Head coach: Ken Rolek, 20th year
Last year: Boys 4-4, girls 5-3
Top returnees: (BOYS) Jacob Casey (distance); Ryan Wack (distance); Joey Dente (distance); Colin Wagner (distance); Jon Knepp (distance); Jr. Peyton Falzone (sprints, hurdles); Marquez Wimberly (sprints); Austin Boyce (jumps); Keller Rupp (jumps); (GIRLS) Kylie Karavitch (District 11 3A 800 runner-up); Delaney Schoenberger (distance); Helaina Acker (distance); Maddy Guzevich (distance); Amanda Mercurius (sprints); Madison Jankowski (sprints); Chai Brown (sprints); Reese Davis (hurdles); Camryn Hoff (hurdles); Skyelar Umstead (throws); Olivia Hobbs (throws); Addison Hinkle (throws); Madalyn Yeakel (throws)
Key newcomers: (BOYS) Owen Hall (sprints, hurdles); Zach Noel (sprints, hurdles); Alex McKinney (sprints, hurdles)
About the Blue Eagles: The boys team will be green in the throws and the girls will need jumpers to develop. Both teams have talent in all other areas.
NORTHAMPTON
Head coach: Tim Caffrey, 20th year
Last year: Boys 8-1, girls 7-2
Top returnees: (BOYS) Sr. Brandon Downey (javelin); Sr. Alex Schrampf (sprints, relays); Jr. Angelo Amato (hurdles, relays); Jr. Ezekiel Spencer (sprints, relays); Sr. Aaron Gutkowski (relays); Jr. Dominic Barkanic (hurdles); So. Jeremiah Strowder (triple jump, mid-distance); Sr. Brody Eisenhart (mid-distance); Sr. Andrew Szeplaki (District 11 3A third high jump, District 11 3A third pole vault); Jr. Sam Hayes (District 11 3A fourth pole vault); Sr. Alex Szeplaki (District 11 3A fifth pole vault); (GIRLS) Sr. Anne Beenders (District 11 3A fourth high jump, District 11 3A champion triple jump); Jr. Alexa Wiland (District 11 3A fifth javelin, shot put); Jr. Saige Korpics (distance, relays); Sr. Lindsay Reimer (mid-distance, relays); Sr. Olivia Kuhns (distance, relays); Sr. Brianna Caulwell (hurdles); So. Alayna Hahn (sprints); Sr. Brooke Saul (mid-distance); Jr. Peighton Evangelista (mid-distance); Jr. Liv Jusinski (distance); Sr. Victoria Phillips (hurdles, District 11 3A fourth triple jump); Sr. Olivia Hayes (pole vault); Sr. Lucy Colyer (shot put)
About the Konkrete Kids: The girls welcome back 14 of their 15 participants in the District 11 meet with their strengths in the field events. The boys don’t have as much upperclassman experience, so they will have to work hard to accomplish what they did a year ago. They are led by the Szeplaki brothers and Hayes in the pole vault.
PARKLAND
Head coach: Stephen Ott, 6th year (34-0 boys and girls)
Last year: Boys 8-0, girls 8-0
Top returnees: (BOYS) Sr. Nate Janukowicz (District 11 3A 200 champion); Colin McGuigan (District 11 3A 3,200 runner-up); Jaden Bulgin (jumps); (GIRLS) Cierra Valley (sprints, relays); Kaley Seide (District 11 3A 100 and 200 runner-up; relays); Ana Gbur (sprints, relays); Dhaniya Miner (sprints, relays); Lucy Tobia (District 11 3A 400 third; relays)
Key newcomers: (BOYS) Cole Orloski (distance); (GIRLS) Dani Schultz (distance)
About the Trojans: Bulgin was sixth at the Pennsylvania Track & field Coaches Associations’ indoor state meet in the high jump. Tobia broke her own school record in the 400. Valley, Seide, Gbur and Miner teamed to win District 11 3A gold in the 400 relay and finish seventh at states. Valley and Tobia are back from the 1,600 relay team that won District 11 3A gold.
PLEASANT VALLEY
Head coach: Drew Davis, 1st year
Last year: Boys 3-5, girls 2-6
POCONO MOUNTAIN EAST
Head coach: Nicole Metzgar, 5th year
Last year: Boys 5-3, girls 3-5
Top returnees: (BOYS) Sr. Josiah Peralta; Sr. Chris Bookhout; Sr. Alex Stefanik; Sr. Kornel Szumniak; Sr. Joel Hanson; Sr. Khaden Daley; Sr. Kyle Jarrett; Sr. Nate Brooks; Jr. A.J. Formica; Sr. Drayton Hoop; So. Payton Hoop; So. Klaliq Daley; (GIRLS) Sr. Destiny Hilliman; Sr. Alana Burnette; Sr. McKenna Snyder; Sr. Maya Planker; Sr. Camila Reyes; Jr. Kennedi McGuire; Jr. Najia Alyah; Jr. Taylynn Davis; So. Samari James; So. Neysa Lynch
Key newcomers: (BOYS) Sr. Rayland DeCaries; Sr. Rayshawn Harris; Sr. Jahsen Cole; Fr. Zakai Chambers; Fr. Jovanny Peralta; (GIRLS) Jr. Raiden Flynn; Fr. Arielle Hanson; Sr. Kallie Insinga; Sr. Zaynia Days; Fr. Malia Salter; Fr. Abigail Segarra
About the Cardinals: The boys have a solid balance of returnees and talented newcomers with strong work ethics. The girls have a talented group of newcomers and good leadership from the returning contributors.
POCONO MOUNTAIN WEST
Head coach: Bri Palazzi, 15th year
Last year: Boys 1-7, girls 5-3
STROUDSBURG
Head coach: Brett Youngken, 12th year
Last year: Boys 8-0, girls 8-0
Top returnees: (BOYS) Aiden Neiman; Abiel Quartey; Ben Picher; Devin Swen; Sergio Teixeira; Keyen Johnson; Nico Perini; Aiden Coyne; Darrien Burke; Jack Mitchell; Austin Herman; (GIRLS) Julia Grant; Alena Murray; Adrianna Borzio; McKayla Strunk; Sydney Moritz; Julianna McCallister; Grace Coyne; Olivia Full; Abena Aidoo; Emily Bozena; Kamrin Hock
Key newcomers: (BOYS) Mehki Kirkland; Brock Lambert; J.D. Carpintero; John Casey; Andrew Paxon; Julien Teixeira; Josh Ivers-Green; Aren Quintero; (GIRLS) Cailin Mignosi; Emily Bozena; Athena Skarlis; Mallory Eberz; Laila Findley; Jorai Hunter; Madelyn Vargas
About the Mountaineers: Graduation hit the boys program hard. It will need several newcomers to step up to fill the voids of graduated Kevin Polonia, Kamoni Smith-Johnson, Josh Shuler and others. Grant and Murray lead an experienced group of sprinters and there are veteran throwers as well, but the girls team will need newcomers to step up in the jumps and distance events.
WHITEHALL
Head coach: Nicole Richards, 3rd year (boys 5-11-1, girls 5-12)
Last year: Boys 2-5-1, girls 3-5
Top returnees: (BOYS) Thomas Lloyd (throws); Edrien Lee (sprints); Reese Prebosnyak (sprints); Llyneida Otanez (jumps); Habib Leyos (distance); (GIRLS) Marli Jacobus (distance); Maya Williams (jumps); Gabrielle Jaikes (jumps)
Key newcomers: Talon Dogmanits (sprints, mid-distance); Ali Najim (jumps); Ricardo Valdez (throws)
About the Zephyrs: “We’ve had a great start to the season in terms of enthusiasm, preseason lifting attendance and effort through the first two-and-a-half weeks of the season,” Richards said. “While there are many returners who not only lead our team by example but also keep our team anchored with their experience, there are lots of newcomers who show a lot of excitement for the possibilities track and field offers and are ready to work hard to help us succeed as a program. Regardless of age and experience, all of the athletes are looking to make an immediate impact and we, the coaching staff, could not be more thrilled for what the season holds.”
Morning Call senior writer Tom Housenick can be reached at thousenick@mcall.com
