As Wyoming Area goes up in competition, it moves down in roster size.
The Warriors move up to Division 1 of the Wyoming Valley Conference in track and field at the same time they will try to find a way to compete with fewer athletes.
“We’re kind of depleted there,” Wyoming Area athletic director and track coach Joe Pizano said of the boys roster. “Many of our kids went out for lacrosse and a lot of other kids wound up not coming out yet. I don’t know if they’re going to, but they haven’t.”
As a result, the Warriors may have a difficult time repeating recent performances. After sweeping both the boys and girls WVC Division 2 titles in 2015, the Warriors were third in Division 2 boys last season with a 5-2 record. They also placed 11th of 19 teams in District 2 Class 3A.
The strength of the team could be in the throws.
Junior Marc Anthony Minichello returns after placing fourth in the district by throwing the javelin more than 170 feet.
Tristan Sokash-Minich also throws the javelin and is part of the top three discus throwers returning, along with fellow seniors Buddy Blannett and Kyle Carr.
Among the best of the other returnees are: senior distance runner David Alberigi, senior sprinter/middle distance runner Alex Chronowski, junior jumper P.J. Angeli and junior middle distance runner Shane Eslick.
Senior thrower Sean Rozelle and junior jumper Steve Yordy are both new to the program, but could become key contributors.
Freshmen can compete on either the varsity or junior high level, but must stay at whatever level they are at in their first meet of the season. With a smaller roster, Pizano expects to keep more freshmen than usual.
Sprinters Brian Williams, Darren Rodney, Enzo Scotto-Diluzio and Quay Williamson, jumper/sprinter Cane Burton and distance runner Luke Cavanaugh are among the freshmen who appear more likely to end up on varsity. With several practice days missed and others moved inside because of the snow that remains from the recent storm, Pizano said some decisions will wait.
“We don’t know if we’re definitely bringing up all the freshmen yet,” Pizano said. “We haven’t really had enough time outside to evaluate them.”
