Indoor Track Team Ready for Championship-Filled Season

The boys' and girls' track teams will be competing in a plethora of high-end invitationals this winter season, something about which Head Coach Shelly LaBarre is excited.

 

"We compete in all invitationals and the competition is really outstanding," she said. "The high-level of competition definitely prepares us for the championship meets. Last year, we had two throwers qualify for the Meet of Champions, and we should have a handful of runners and throwers capable of qualifying this year."

 

The Knights will begin the season at Drew University in the Gardiner Relays on December 21, and then head right to the Somerset County Championships on December 27, at Lehigh University

 

LaBarre and her coaching staff will be relying on a wide range of student-athletes to make it another successful of indoor sprinting, jumping, and throwing. The roster currently consists of a lot of new additions who are great multi-sport athletes, along with skilled, seasoned runners and throwers.

 

"Training conditions have been a bit difficult, so we are still seeing where everyone will fit into the line-up," she said. "It's exciting as the team continues to amaze us with their ability. We are hoping to improve each practice and meet and make another run at the Prep and Non-public B state championships."

 

Throwers Joe Licata '22, Matt Raymonds '21, and Zac Saunders '22 have been working very hard over the summer and the off-season and should have big years. Distance runners Niels Rongen '20, Teddy Lazar '20, James Koether '21, Ansh Patel '21, Will Strong '22, Lachlan Wood '22, Jacob Goldklang '22, and Tyler Tellalian '23 had a great cross country season, and most returned for indoor track to continue that success in the middle-distance and distance events. Sohan DeSilva '21, Tyler Lynch '20, and new addition Alex Tulenko '22 are looking to make an impact in the sprints, and Brian Young '21 will try his hand at the indoor jumps.

 

The girls' squad welcomes a lot of newcomers, with only two returning athletes from last year: Emma Ryan '22 in mid/distance, and Anna Mikula '20 in sprints. Emily Raia '20, Hayley Armstrong '21, Ellen Besjak '21, Ava Escousse '21, Kellyn Bucceri '22, Mia Kolb '22, Delaney Yates '23, and Caroline Rongen '23 will make a significant impact in the sprints, hurdles, and jumps.

 

"The team is very enthusiastic and excited to explore and try out all events," said LaBarre. "Along with aerobic training, we have been doing weight training three times a week, plus daily strength and flexibility work outs which are fun, purposeful, and have a been a great source of team bonding. It really has been a pleasure working with them."