First Posted: 3/20/2013
Track and field athletes can’t throw the javelin or practice the high hurdles in gymnasiums or hallways, but that’s where the local track and field teams found themselves for much of the practice season, forced in by the crazy weather.
The teams got outside on maybe one-third of the available practice days since practice officially started on March 4 and even on those days conditions were far from ideal. Only the distance runners got warmed up.
Ready or not through the Wyoming Valley Conference schedule starts this week. Weather permitting, of course, the Wyoming Area boys and girls open on Tuesday at home against Northwest.
The PA boys and girls start Wednesday at Crestwood, again weather permitting.
The Pittston Area teams are in Division 1 with Berwick, Coughlin, Crestwood, Dallas, Hazleton, Tunkhannock and Valley West.
Last year the PA boys were 2- under coach Jason Mills. With three returning district 2 medalists the Patriots hope to improve on that mark. Ron D’Eliseo is back as the defending champion in the 300 and 110 hurdles. He copped a state medal in the indoor season. Mike Harth 4th in 400 and Jayson Crawford 4th long jump.
The PA girls were 5-2 last year a big jump from the previous season when they were winless. This year the Lady Patriots return seven District 2 medalists. One of them is Olivia Giambra who was the champion in the triple jump and a silver medalist in the long jump last May as a freshman. Catherine Lombardo, Kristen Lombardo, Katilynn Kutcha who were on a team that ran 4th 4 x 800 real are back. Also returing are Liz Waleski, 5th 300 hurdles; Celes Owens. tied 5th high jump; and Allison Parrent 5th in javelin.
With girls soccer no longer in the spring the Lady Patriots track team picked up some new girls and coach Joe Struckus is looking for spots to plug them in. “We’re looking to compete in the league and get ready for districts,” Struckus said.
Wyoming Area is in Division 2 with Holy Redeemer, Lake Lehman, Hanover, Nanticoke, GAR, Meyers and Northwest.
Joe Pizano is the head coach of both teams. The girls were 2-5 last year. Pizano said numbers are up. The girls return two returning medalists. Emily Shemanski was 4th in the 300 meter hurdles and Haley Stackhouse tied for 5th in the high jump
The Warrior boys were 6-1 in the season tied with Northwest and Holy Redeemer. Six district medalists return in
Nick O’Brien who returns as javelin champion and was 5th in 200. Isaiah Peoples was 6th in the 100 meter dash. O’Brien, Cody Schmitz, Peoples and Sharrieff Hale are all back on the 4 x 100 team that was 2nd. Dylan Flynn was 4th in pole vault.
Pizano said the 4 x 100 team has a chance to have a good season. “The key for them and all the athletes is to stay healthy, avoid injury. If they do that we’ll be ok.”
WA schedule
March 26 vs. Northwest
April 3 at GAR
April 9 vs. Holy Redeemer
April 17 vs. Nanticoke
April 23 vs. Hanover
April 30 at Lake Lehman
May 6 vs. Meyers
PA schedule
March 27 at Crestwood
April 3 vs. Coughlin
April 11 at Valley West
April 17 vs. Hazleton
April 24 vs. Tunkhannock
April 30 at Berwick
May 7 vs. Dallas