The move from Division 1 to Division 2 gives Wyoming Area’s track and field teams hope for being more competitive throughout the Wyoming Valley Conference season.
Even though they ultimately finished in the top half of the boys field and right in the middle of the pack in the girls field at the District 2 Class 3A Championships at the end of the season, both Wyoming Area teams went just 1-6 in dual competition to place seventh in their eight-team divisions.
“We’re young, but we should be competitive now that we’re back down to Division 2,” said Joe Pizano, the head coach of both teams.
GIRLS
Duquesne University commit Madelyn Resciniti is back after finishing third in the shot put and fourth in the discus at last year’s district championships.
Senior Valerie Gerchack also returns after placing fifth in the triple jump.
The team includes several sophomores who gained valuable experience last season and another group of potential freshmen contributors.
Distance runners Olivia Kwiatkowski, Aubriana Marranca and Erika Holweg, thrower Braniella Butwin and sprinter Kayla Kiwak are among those who helped out as freshmen last season.
The new additions to the roster are led throwers Anya Catty and Toni Minichello, sprinter Adrianna Cunningham and jumper Rosalind Tart.
Other experienced returnees include thrower Alana Aufiere, distance runner Julie Bonsavage, pole vaulter/hurdler Jocelyn Licata and sprinter Abby Yatsko.
BOYS
Senior Jevani Sancho and junior Kayne Burton, along with relay teammates Vincenzo Scotto-Diluzio and Brian Williams, return to give Wyoming Area a deep and experienced group of sprinters.
“Our strength is going to be our sprinters,” said Pizano, who said it is too early to thoroughly evaluate field talent because of the limited outdoor practice time.
The Warriors are scheduled to open the regular season Tuesday at Tunkhannock.
Burton finished fifth in the district in the 100- and sixth in the 200-meter dash. Sancho was seventh in the 100. They joined Scotto-Diluzio and Williams on a 400 relay team that finished fourth.
Dominic DeLuca is back after finishing fourth in the javelin while also being among the leaders of a division championship lacrosse team.
Dante Bovani, F.J. Braccini and Stephen Sokach-Minnich are the other experienced throwers.
Michael Branley, George Sharkey, Jake Katulka, Nick Katulka and Kyle Emsley are back as distance runners.
Jake Bush returns as a pole vaulter/jumper and is joined by Nick George.
Quay Williamson and freshmen Dustin Reese and Rocco Pizano add to the sprinting depth. Pizano, the coach’s son, is also a jumper.
Other freshmen expected to contribute are hurdler/jumper Usamah Alansari, hurdler Nico Sciandra, distance runner Grant Smith, pole vaulter Nick Ross, thrower Jaden Rusyn and jumper/hurdler Blaise Sokach-Minnich.
